Trip Date: 12/6/2014
Location: Eldorado National Forest
Permit/Pass: None
Trails: NA
Directions: From Interstate 5 in Sacramento follow the signs for US Hwy 50 East. After a little over 78 miles on Hwy 50 watch for the signed left turn onto Wrights Lake Rd. Take Wrights Lake Rd. as it climbs and winds for 4.1 miles to a right turn into the Lyons Creek trailhead parking lot. The trail begins just past the gate.
Synopsis: This hike was truncated due to snowy, wet trails that ran like streams, but using Bloodsucker trail as a side spur and Lyons Creek as an enjoyable destination and lunch spot worked out just fine. Sometimes hiking in the winter is as pretty and pleasant as it gets.
Trail sequence: Lyons Creek trail / Bloodsucker trail / Lyons Creek
Type: Out and back
Distance: 4.3 miles
Elevation: Min. - 6687', Max. - 7117'
Profile:
Rating: Easy-Moderate (factors: rocky footing, wet & muddy trails, snow)
Trail Notes: On rocky, snowy, muddy trails it can be quite easy to wander from the trail and get lost. Paying close attention (and carrying a compass) is a must at this time of year.
Turn by Turn:
-- After passing the gate the trail - at first a dirt road - trends just north of east for a little over a mile, sometimes hugging the creek, sometimes working away.
-- As the trail jogs a bit to the north it begins to close on Lyons Creek again, then turns toward the east again just before reaching the junction with Bloodsucker trail. Turn left on Bloodsucker.
-- Drop down the trail a few yards to Lyons Creek (swiftly flowing at this time).
-- When ready to return head back up Bloodsucker and turn right onto Lyons Creek trail to retrace your steps to the trailhead. (The track for this hike shows the bit of extra exploring up Lyons Creek trail that occurred before returning.)
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