Once past paint rock the trail becomes a nice dirt fire road again. There are no more major obstacles really with the exception of some steep, sandy switchbacks that lead up the ridge about a mile after paint rock. You will see an area of the trail that has been blocked by a large boulder and the bypass will go to the right and around. It's directly after this bypass that the switchbacks start and you will want to keep your momentum up. The rest of the trail meanders through some real nice scenery as you pass through small meadows filled with corn lilys and small aspens. There is a small bypass that cuts off to the left and up the ridge a little ways after the switchbacks. I didn't take the bypass and continued straight. We found out later that the bypass re-connects with the trail about a mile or two down. Maybe on a later outing we'll try the bypass and include the description in the guide.....
As you near the end of the trail the scenery will become much more rocky and before you know it you will pop up over the ridge and be rewarded with a great view of Kirkwood ski resort and Caples lake area. About an 1/8 mile after the crest you will see the staging area for the trail on the hwy 88 side. There is a small brown and white arrow (much like at the beginning) that will piont you to the right..... stay to the left. If you continue to the right like the arrow indicates the trail turns into a "two wheel only" route in about a hundred yards. Instead continue left and down into the staging area. Now is a great time to hike up onto the boulders and get some great shots of Caples lake and The ridge behind it (Round Top and Elephants Back can be seen).
From the staging area the road continues east about 5 miles towards the Cal Trans maintenence station at highway 88. It's an easy gravel road and you will only need 2 wheel drive. Just before the maintenence station is a great meadow with some excellent camping spots. This completes the trail, and for those of you wanting to make the trail a little easier I recommend taking the Morman Emigrant Bypass (highway 50 alternate) up to 88 and starting from the Cal Trans station. This way gravity will be on your side and the obstacles will be much easier. The trip odometer on the quad put the trail at about 12~13 miles overall and we completed the trip in about 4 hours. Enjoy....... |
