Thunder Mountain - August 21, 2010
This trail starts with shaded woods and open areas of wildflowers. The trail is easy to follow but zigzags up all the way. We pass cool, shady forests and fields of blooming mule ears, lupine, and scarlet gilia. Then near the top, we get air-conditioning as the breeze passes over the snow right across from us. We gain 1600 ft in 4 1/2 miles. We can see Caples Lake and Kirkwood Lake and Kirkwood Ski Resort right beneath us at the pinnacle. We may see mountain bikers riding the lift to the top and riding their bikes back down into Kirkwood. The rock pinnacles are amazing and colored with orange lichen. We will have a late lunch at Kirkwood Inn and Saloon.