September 2015
September was another fun filled month. I hosted the first kick ball game since Spring, hiked on Mount Shasta, visited China Crater Lakes, and made a return trip to Cliff Lake.
Weed Kick Ball - seventh inning stretch
Mount Shasta - Old Ski Bowl Trail
I hosted a couch surfer named Aisha who wanted to visit a volcano. We drove to the highest point you you can drive on Mount Shasta at around 7,500 feet, and then hiked further up for some incredible views. The weather was perfect for hiking as well as a visit to a spring afterwards and a beautiful sunset to end the day.
Mount Shasta from Panther Meadow parking lot
Giant rock stacks
My couch surfer friend Aisha
Sunset over the Trinity Alps
Crater Lakes
The next day I embarked on a bicycle ride up to Siskiyou County's Crater Lakes. The views while climbing the mountainside were breathtaking. The climb was challenging in the midday heat but when I arrived to the lakes I was very happy to have made it up! First thing I did was jump in the ice cold water before hiking around the two lakes and enjoying the views. The water was crystal clear and many fish were easily visible throughout the lake. The bike ride back down from 7,775 feet to 5,670 was a great time and took a fraction of the time it took to me to bike up. I look forward to returning to these lakes and camping out someday.
Looking back on the way up to Crater Lakes.
Beautiful views the whole way up.
Crater Lake
Such clear water!
Upper Crater Lake
(deeper than it appears in the photograph)
Time to jump in!
Lunar Eclipse
Although I forgot my tripod I was still able to get a couple shots of the Lunar Eclipse. It was a fun filled night with good friends and a pretty cool moon.
Cliff Lake
Although I have already visited Cliff Lake many times this year I decided to return again in September. I cannot get enough of the lake's incredibly clear water, excellent swimming, beautiful trees, and solitude. I usually bike to the lakes from the paved road but not having my bike with me I hiked in this time around. It is only a couple miles from the pavement and a beautiful hike passing 2 other lakes and some giant Cedars. Once again I didn't see anyone all day and had this wonderful lake to myself. The beauty of having weekdays off work. I spent a good part of the day relaxing, swimming, and just enjoying the scenery and solitude.
