Ralston Peak

Although scheduled as a Monday hike, we were the only participants.

The trailhead begins up a broken paved road above a dirt parking lot across from Camp Sacramento on Highway 50, just east of Twin Bridges. Although there is an easier path to the top (by way of Echo Lakes), the Ralston Trail is the shortest.

Beginning at the parking lot, the trail heads invariably UP. Most of it is in the trees with the views being somewhat limited.

From a spot on the trail about a third of the way up, there is a break in the trees with a view of Pyramid Peak.

When we hit the spot on the trail that would have given us a stretch of relatively flat path, we opted to take the direct 'shortcut' straight up the side. This is when we started counting steps between rest breaks.

Just before the peak, we reached the ridge which afforded a great view of Echo Lakes.

Reaching the top of Ralston Peak, we were amazed at both the view and the mass of large, broken blocks of granite that compose the mountain. The view was not quite what it could be due to fires further north, but still spellbinding.

Relaxing, we enjoyed lunch and the views of all below us. To the north was Ralston Lake, with Tamarack, Upper & Lower Echo, and Tahoe Lakes further out.

Looking northwest is Lake of the Woods and Aloha Lake in Desolation Valley with the line of peaks beginning with Pyramid.

We took the 'normal' trail down, which appears well travelled (although there is a section just down from the top where several options are apparent).

Around the top, many trees illustrate how difficult life is at these upper altitudes. Storms and lightning strikes seem to exact a heavy toll.