Shealor Lake Trail Head Sierra Nevada Mountains California
Kelli and I drove 50 miles from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the High Sierras.
We hiked the Shealor Lake Trail Head located in parts unknown.
Basically this is an out of bounds type scenario.
First we drove from the house in River Pines for roughly 10 miles along Omo Ranch Road. Omo Ranch is an old logging town nestled in the mountains. The population is approximately 200 human beings. The road itself is mostly wilderness minus the sparse center of town with a tiny school and few modest houses.
After passing civilization, the end of Omo Ranch juts into Highway 88. Dense forest here serves as home to mountain lions, coyotes, deer and more than one local (and visiting campers) have heard of seen Sasquatch (more on that later).
After turning north onto Highway 88 we climbed 5500 feet in elevation over the desolate wilderness that is the High Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The ascent is deceiving; versus the dramatic grades I experienced in the Colorado Rockies, Mogollon Rim of Arizona and Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, 88 is a peaceful, graceful series of steady elevation gains with long, winding turns. I loved it because I spotted virtually no hair pin curves and the only decent grade unfolded right before the trail head. Mountainous drives can be murder on the brakes and a bit brutal on the steering if you own not a 4WD.
Anyway, when we arrived I had a wee bit of difficulty finding the actual trail head. I crossed 88 to circle the big lake – Silver Lake – as I assumed this was Shealor Lake. I erred.
After fumbling around for 5 minutes I crossed 88 again and found a tiny sign affixed to a tree: “Trail”.
From there we gently meandered up switchbacks through virgin pine forests, feasting on snow-capped mountains all around us.
Shealor Lake Trail Head Sierra Nevada Mountains California
Yes that is snow and yes it is Memorial Day Weekend as I write these words on the publish date.
The hiking location is around 8000 feet in elevation. The surrounding mountains rise even higher.
Temps? 58 F at that elevation while the foothills of River Pines – at 2100 feet – sweltered a bit at 85 F.
The higher you go the cooler it gets.
After we hit the peak, a sharp grade down leads directly to the lake.
Mosquitoes swarmed like paparazzi around a celebrity but none bit. Perhaps it was too early in the day to satiate their blood lust. I mean the skeeters were all over the place once you reached the lake. Big suckers too. But no bites.
El Dorado Park Ranger
Being within the massive El Dorado National Forest, we were bound to see a park ranger here and there.
We met a kindly ranger doing his rounds as we ascended toward the pristine lake.
Shealor Lake Trail Head Sierra Nevada Mountains California
He spent his summer working the High Sierras while living in Oregon but grew up in Upstate New York.
I asked him about wildlife there.
He noted:
- mountain lions
- black bears
- deer
- rattlesnakes
- California king snakes (I spied one on the proper in River Pines a few days ago)
He also remarked how a pack of gray wolves migrated down from Idaho.
I sheepishly asked if any other creatures lived there who were not “supposed to exist.”
He genuinely said, “What do you mean? Please share.”
I said, “Sasquatch”.
He matter of fact-ly divulged how credible observers share encounters consistently in the area.
He has not seen Sasquatch but knows that the hairy man is around. The park ranger also advises hikers to trust the intuition when the woods goes entirely quiet, the hairs pop up all over your body and you feel like you are being watched (All common experiences from those like myself who’ve experienced the wild man).
He asked me about my experience in the Southern Adirondacks with Bigfoot. I shared. He nodded, noting similarities from my experienced compared to park visitors who have seen and heard them.
We then parted ways after I thanked him for the helpful information.
Shealor Lake Trail Head Sierra Nevada Mountains California
How remote was I?
We were positioned between two “towns” called Tragedy Spring and Kit Carson.
Yeah; that remote.
Other fascinating names of towns or unincorporated areas around here:
- Fair Play
- Grizzly Flats
- Fiddletown
- Sly Park
Shealor Lake Trail Head Information
The Shealor Lake Train Head has a paved parking lot with space for about a dozen cars or so. Remember guys; this is a highly remote location. Not too many hikers drive 30, 50 or 100 miles to find a good hike. You should have zero issues with finding a spot.
The trail head parking lot is easy to find with a large sign posted on Highway 88. The actual trail head itself is a little more challenging. Look for the beaten, well-traveled path at the upper right corner of the parking lot. You will see the aforementioned small “Trail” marker on a tree.
The hike is 2.5 miles out and back. Follow the rock borders laid out by mindful hikers. Look for a rock stack – or the borders – if you’ve lost your way. Tricky the hike becomes in a few spots.
The ascent is slow and meandering with a few switchbacks. The trip down to the lake is fairly moderate. The hike back up from the lake is a little more challenging with a somewhat steep grade.
Bring plenty of water and lather on sunscreen. You will experience full sun exposure for pretty much the entire hike.
There is no restroom at the trail head.