Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Access Road Spur 1 to Sierra Canyon Road (Spooner Summit to Kingsbury Segment)

As you might remember I've made hikes at both ends of the Spooner Summit to Kingsbury Segment.  The north hike had such a steep grade and high ridge I originally only made it to the first road I could find.  Here in this hike I fill the gap.
To get to the Access Spur Road trailhead I had to drive a road which was labeled as part of an off road area but every map I had showed up to the top of the first hill as 2wd.  While the road bed is well made and even paved for almost half the way,  loose gravel threatens to tear up any car that would go with any speed.   I drive slow and make sure i keep tires on the highest points of the road especially slowing down for waterbars that i can't see the back of.  Even doing all of this I do run into a short stretch right before the top where the road gets steeper and I feel a slight bit of side slipping but power up to the top.
I first hike northbound from the trailhead for about 100 yards to where I hiked before.  I then backtrack passing my car.  The trail then climbs gradually on a straight line to the top of the first hill.








The trail then crosses the main road in the area, the Genoa Peak Road.  The trail contours and climbs the west side of the ridge.  At somepoint a giant switchback with curled ends is made and the trail continues to try to stay atop the ridge.  It eventually leads to a view point area just past some snow patches.




This starts the Lake View section of the trail.  Smoke from fires have diminished the view and the wind howls with such strength and bitter cold even on a day when its upper 90s in the valley that I just want to keep walking and get past this section.  The section ends shortly after passing a constructed bench.





The trail then descends first to avoid a road then to drop into the head of sierra canyon  The latter part is in a logged forest that is just enough to stop the winds.  I finally reach the place I hiked to earlier from the south, the sierra canyon road.









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