Raymond Lake

Photos Maps Summary: This is an outstanding hike that follows the PCT for most of the way before taking a side-trail to the lake. Raymond Lake is somewhat of a hidden gem, because it doesn't appear in many (if any) of the Sierra Nevada hiking books. It is, however, popular with fisherman and some artists. The lake itself is not that large, but plenty of Golden Trout cruise near the shores and the gothic spires of Raymond Peak offer superb background scenery. These views may not even be the best during this hike with lots of panoramic views accompanying you as you follow the PCT and climb to the lake. While climbing the switchbacks below the Raymond Lake Trail junction, be on the lookout for Pleasant Valley Creek Falls to the northwest. There are a couple of options for trailheads, but the shorter Wet Meadows Reservoir option is also the most difficult to get to. However, if you have a 4x4 with decent clearance, you should be fine except during spring-melt (when crossings over springs may be difficult).Distance: 10.7 miles round-tripElevation Gain/Loss: 2,300' totalSeason: June through OctoberFees & Permits: None for dayhikers

Finding the Trailhead: Option 1: Lower Sunset Lake PCT Trailhead (38.6080 N, 119.8754 W). From the CA-88/Blue Lakes Road intersection in Hope Valley (just SW of the CA-88/89 intersection), follow the Blue Lakes Road south for ~10.5 miles and turn left onto the Sunset Lake Road (also signed for Tamarack Lake). Follow this road for ~2.9 miles to an intersection. If you take a sharp right here, you'll drive towards Wet Meadows Reservoir (more on that in Option 2). If you stay straight you'll get to the Lower Sunset Lake PCT Trailhead in ~0.4 miles. The trailhead is unmarked (except for a no motorized vehicles sign posted on a tree) and looks like an old dirt road leading up towards Summit Lake (off the eastern/right side of the Lower Sunset Lake Road) and exists ~0.1 miles before actually getting to the shore of Lower Sunset Lake. Option 2: Wet Meadows Reservoir Trailhead (38.6051 N, 119.8639 W). From the intersection mentioned above, take the sharp right and the follow the road as it climbs and quickly crosses over a spring. After ~0.35 miles from the intersection, stay left and continue following the road as it crosses over another spring (passable?) and arrives at the Wet Meadows Reservoir Traihead ~0.8 miles from the last intersection. Follow the trail that heads off to the northeast (not the right one that heads uphill).

The Hike: Since we didn't want to risk crossing over the spring (mentioned above) to get to the Wet Meadows Reservoir Trailhead, we continued to the Lower Sunset Lake Trailhead. After only walking on this dirt "road" for ~180', the PCT breaks off to the left inconspicuously. Be on the lookout for this small trail leaving to the left or else you'll end up at Summit Lake and either have to bushwhack or backtrack to the trail. Here, the PCT climbs up along the northern side of a small ridge north of Summit Lake and Wet Meadows Reservoir as it heads east. After crossing over the outlet to Wet Meadows Reservoir, the trail climbs up and over a small rock outcropping where you could head off-trail to the south to check out Wet Meadows Reservoir. After passing over another spring the PCT intersects with the trail coming from the Wet Meadows Reservoir Trailhead at ~1.15 miles (~0.6 miles from the WMR Trailhead). Shortly after this, the trail turns to the north-northeast and begins descending along a shoulder (the trail also passes by a couple of side-trails leading to the top of a couple of ridges here). Here, the trail passes through a volcanic sand section that is pretty interesting to see. The trail continues to descend steeply into the trees, crosses over a tributary to Pleasant Valley Creek, and passes by the Pleasant Valley Trail (very easy to miss since this trail does not appear to be maintained very well) taking off to the left at ~2.05 miles. The PCT then begins to climb out of the trees to the first switchback (~2.35 miles) near 8,000' in elevation and the views begin to open up. At the switchback is a nice panoramic view of the peaks to the west (Deadwood Peak, The Nipple, etc.), Thornburg Peak to the north, and Pleasant Valley Meadow to the northeast. The trail continues to climb to the south before turning again to the northeast and reaching a saddle and trail junction at ~2.75 miles. If you're interested in taking a longer route while dropping over 500' just to climb back up, then take the trail to the left here (hard to see the junction). Otherwise, continue following the PCT as it heads south along the eastern side of one ridge before heading east and traversing along the northern shoulders of Raymond Peak. Here, B named one of the pillars rising out of the ridge to the south "Tombstone Rock" for obvious reasons. There are many of these "pillars" along the northern shoulders of Raymond Peak and apparently along its southeastern shoulders as well. Also, there were a decent number of wildflowers along these volcanic slopes. At ~3.6 miles the PCT reconnects with the exercise junkie trail that we passed at ~2.75 miles after crossing over a couple of springs. The PCT now begins to climb again and passes through a stand of trees before coming back into the open momentarily to another switchback. At this switchback look to the northwest towards Pleasant Valley Creek and its 300'+ waterfall. The trail continues to climb as it briefly passes back through the stand of trees before reaching the second switchback in this set. Here, there is a great view of the jagged rocks of Raymond Peak to the south. We also noticed a scar in the near hillside (north of Raymond Lake) and saw a large boulder in the ravine that appeared to have slid down it not too long before. After the trail passes through the third, fourth, and fifth switchbacks of this set, it reaches the junction with the Raymond Lake Trail at ~4.55 miles. The views here and while you're climbing up to it are stunning. Take the Raymond Lake Trail to the right and climb the ridge to the south.