Hiking trails are like old friends. No matter how many times you meet up over the years, you always enjoy their company.
At least that's how things are with me and the Potter Pass Trail, which provides easy access to the Kaiser Wilderness. I've been hiking this trail since I was a 12-year-old Boy Scout from nearby Camp Oljato and try to make it back every year.
The hike to Upper Twin Lake (right) isn't a tough one -- about 7 miles roundtrip -- but there are enough meadows, vistas and lakes to make the trip interesting. I've been there in early spring, mid summer, fall and even in winter on cross-country skis. Each time, it's a little different.
(Click on the jump for more photos and descriptions from the trail.)
The Potter Pass Trail begins from Kaiser Pass Road near the Badger Pass Group Campground a few miles above Huntington Lake. (The ponytail and backpack belong to Bee copy editor Emily Kuchar.)
Just one of several small pocket meadows encountered on the trail. This creek still had a little water in it. Not bad for mid September.
Here's the view from near Potter Pass. The big mountain in the distance is Mount Ritter, one of the most prominent peaks of the Central Sierra. The elevation of Potter Pass is around 8,900 feet.
After Potter Pass, the trail leads down a rocky drainage and contours along the hillside before ending up at Lower Twin Lake. Even though the lake is pretty shallow, there's still pretty decent fishing.
Ah, Upper Twin Lake. It's a idyllic place for swimming, fishing and jumping into the water from several prominent boulders. Over the ridge in the foreground but in front of the obvious saddle lies George Lake, which is equally pretty and even more off the beaten path.
Hope you enjoyed the virtual hike. Which trails do you hike again and again, almost every year?
Thanks for taking the top out to write this nice topic.