Donner Summit to Basin Peak via PCT

Today’s hike Will be a lollipop route from Donner Summit along the PCT to a Basin Peak and Castle Peak before returning back along the PCT once again. I am with the Bayside adventure sports meet up group Hiking with nine other hikers today.

Leaving the trailhead parking lot we hike just about half a mile to the Pacific crest Trail. Always my happy place. I can’t help but smile and feel like I am home when I am on one of these sections

This is a beautiful section of trail. The weather is beautiful, and the trees are covered with the bright green moss that I enjoy looking at.

We have a break of trees that gives us a clear view of Castle Peak. Unlike the majority of this mountain range which is a granite Castle Peak is volcanic rock. The top stands out like battlements on the top of A medieval castle, thus giving it its name.

Peter GrubHub is owned by the Cierra club. It is available for rental on a lottery system. Primarily used during the winter.

Once we leave Peter Grubb hut, we walk along the edge of round meadow. Sin Peak sits high above it on the left Castle peak on the right. Between the two is the red line that we will walk from one peak to the other.

As we begin ascending towards basin, peak, large, ominous black clouds begin to form over Castle Peak. The threat of thunderstorms With lightning may cut this Hike short and keep us off of the high exposed mountain top.

I’ve met my first two PCT through hikers today. They are from Switzerland. They do not have Trail names. Kevin is the guy I could not understand the name of the girl they both were thrilled to receive sodas and oranges, part of the trail magic that I now now carry with Me while on these sections of Pct

As we continue up towards base and peak, we go through an area fed by some streams that provide a large array of beautiful wildflowers

The clouds have gotten thicker and are now over basin peak. We have stopped short of the peak for lunch, and as we sat here, there was a flash of lightning directly above the peak. For safety reasons, we will turn around and head back down. The field with wildflowers and open views was a spectacular place for lunch.

Heading back down, gives us more incredible views of the meadow. We passed through a bit earlier.

Steel toe is the Trail name of the next hiker I encountered.

Shortly thereafter, sunflower enjoyed some trail magic.

Water girl received the last of the sodas and oranges. I carried today. We had a good talk about the Trail. I hiked in 23 and the challenges posed by the snow.

The clouds opened up and it began to rain, followed by a consistent dumping of hail. The precipitation continued for about an hour. Every now and then a piece of hail would sting just a little bit as it hit their skin but all in all it wasn’t bad

As we reached the tunnels that allows us to pass under interstate 80 the rain had stopped and the Sun was once again beginning to poke through the clouds

Although not visible in the picture, this piece of granite and many others surrounding it had steam rising off of it as the sun warmed the wet rock

We returned to the cars safely and although we had to turn around early, we still managed 12.3 miles. The trail was absolutely beautiful again today. The rain was a little chilly, but the trail itself was a very comfortable hike. I am a very thankful and feel truly blessed to be able to have this kind of nature so close to home. Almost our entire hike was on the PCT today, it’s always nice to be in such a special place