Woods Creek and Lakes

The Castle Domes Meadow Overlook from the trail, looking East. Does Woods Creek look crossable? Is "crossable" a word? Hmmm...

Castle Domes Meadow

Woods Creek and Lakes, SEKI, Spring 2005

After three miles (and a long side-trip) we came to what I call The Castle Domes Meadow Overlook, where the trail stops climbing, breaks away from the trees, and presents the hiker with a great view up the canyon towards the Woods Creek crossing. I had reached this spot once early season and then it was snowing. There are some really long views and a number of named features to look at. The Baxter Lakes basin cut can be plainly seen for example.

A closer look at Castle Dome Meadow looking east, which is beginning to be invaded by trees. Note the desert community ground cover.

The heavy climbing is over for a while because after the "Overlook" the trail  loses altitude and levels out above Castle Domes Meadow. It is a bit sun exposed, but at least it is not climbing for a good ways. Great area, very pleasant, good views.

Looking west from Castle Dome Meadow. On the right you can just make out the trail. There is actually a camp at that big tree on the right. In the distance Kid Peak, Goat Mountain and Munger Peak, the companions of Kid Lakes Basin.

We headed for the end of the meadow after burning most of the day in our explorations. At the meadows end the forest begins to take over, and to the right in the trees are several fair campsites, including one that is very large. Not the most level area, and I had to search around for a good level spot for my bivy tent. We were set up in no time and were ready to relax and enjoy the remaining day knowing that being in a canyon means that direct daylight would be cut short near sundown. Meanwhile, we had a fairly good camp, good access to water, and plenty of time to kick back.

We turned in as soon as it was reasonably dark. Well, we would not have far to go the next day, that was for sure.