SF2T- Day 5

12.4 mi. 900 ft up, 3,000 down. After a windy night near 12,000 feet at Truchas Lake, we were on the trail by 6:40. The first 3 miles were a pleasant climb through remarkably healthy evergreen forest. At least better than average. Our climb provided excellent views of the four Truchas peaks that loom over the western side of the wilderness: West, Middle, and North Truchas Peaks along with just Truchas Peak. Two mile-long switchbacks rose steadily to the pass and then dropped us, almost literally, into the Santa Barbara R. watershed. We were happy to get over the pass, as the rain clouds were rapidly gathering overhead.

The north side of the pass offered some airy trail on high-angle gravel slopes, eventually taking us down to the tree line. Ultimately, that trail dropped us 2,000 feet into the valley. Then we followed the Santa Barbara River downstream for miles. This small river valley is graced with large meadows interspersed with stands of conifers and aspens.

With the exception of the climb to the pass, almost all of our hiking today was downhill. A welcome change from the 4,500 feet of elevation we gained yesterday. We had planned on camping at a site noted on our map as a campsite, but we found it occupied by a troop of Boy Scouts. So we moved a little farther downstream and found another even better site. We got camp set up not long before it started to rain, so we are tucked in and dry for the moment. Hopefully, it will let up so we can fix dinner.

Addendum- The rain did stop and the sun came out which was perfect for making dinner.