TR: Woodchuck Creek Dayhike 26May13
Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 10:49 am
Started at Rancheria Trailhead at 7:15am. Skies were clear until late afternoon when clouds moved in from the west. A few people had already been on the trail, including a small pack train. Turned north at the Duck Creek turnoff, headed past Finger Rock and Round Corral Meadow then went cross country at the lip of the Woodchuck Creek basin. Toward the bottom of the canyon, I picked my way through bogs, crossed Woodchuck Creek, and found the trail a few meters north of the creek. Heading east on trail, I soon came to the south running tributary of WC that is just west of the Indian Springs mark on the topo. I ascended the north canyon slope, very boggy in places, until reaching my halfway point at 1pm. It turned out the trail to Chimney Lake was less than a half mile away. Some flowers were in full bloom at this elevation and there was very little snow. Spent a lot of time taking photos on the way back. If you are interested in the flowers I saw during the trip, go to http://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/sekihiker/2013/5/26" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .