I found an even better view of Walker’s route the following day, when I took the Thornburg trail and then walked to the base of Jeff Davis Peak, a prominent volcanic plug. From there one could easily see why a large group with horses would make their way from the Grover Hot Springs area to Blue Lakes and beyond—this Sierra crossing does not have much of a crest, but rather is more of a broad gap. I think I could make out the coast range in the distance, though it was rather hazy.
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Bill Dyer
Oct 09, 2022
Having read Stine’s book, I was interested in seeing some of that route for myself. I did a day hike along the trail from the Blue Lakes to Granite Lake and Grouse Lake, referring to the book to imagine the route that Walker’s party followed.
I found an even better view of Walker’s route the following day, when I took the Thornburg trail and then walked to the base of Jeff Davis Peak, a prominent volcanic plug. From there one could easily see why a large group with horses would make their way from the Grover Hot Springs area to Blue Lakes and beyond—this Sierra crossing does not have much of a crest, but rather is more of a broad gap. I think I could make out the coast range in the distance, though it was rather hazy.
Having read Stine’s book, I was interested in seeing some of that route for myself. I did a day hike along the trail from the Blue Lakes to Granite Lake and Grouse Lake, referring to the book to imagine the route that Walker’s party followed.