This is a moderate 8-mile out-and-back hike that we did on Memorial Day 2018.
Trip log:
- 08:38am - Start out from Big Meadow Trailhead
- 09:02am - Hit SCOTSS LK & MEISS MOW Junction, take the one towards MEISS MOW
- 09:05am - Reach Big Meadow
- 09:59am - Hit the second junction, take the direction to “LK Valley”
- 10:04am - Hit the third junction, follow the sign “DARDANELLES LK”
- 10:48am - Reach Lake Dardanelles
- 12:43pm - Start to hike backs
- 02:46pm - Back to the trailhead
Pool Ridge Trail / Discovery Trail / Pioneer Nature Trail / East Ridge Trail / Gilliam Creek Trail
Trip Log:
- 09:45am - Start out from Pool Ridge Trailhead
- 10:19am - Reach the junction with Loop Trail but somehow walked into private property by mistake (oops)
- 10:34am - Back to the Pool Ridge Trailhead
- 11:16am - Reach Armstrong Redwood Grove and break
- 11:40am - Move on to Discovery Trail and Pioneer Nature Trail
- 11:52am - Reach Visitor Center and have a look around the gift shop
- 12:03pm - Start the East Ridge Trailhead
- 12:24pm - Break (Panda bothered to take out from his backpack the gas, pan and cup to boil water and make a hot coffee!)
- 12:51pm - Move on
- 01:53pm - Finish East Ridge Trail and start the Gilliam Creek Trail
- 02:49pm - Hit Schoolhouse creek
- 03:28pm - Hit East Austin Creek Fire Road
- 04:02pm - Start assent to Vista point
- 04:10pm - Find a nice spot to watch the sunset and call it a day
