9/12/16 - Hiking the Gianelli Cabin Trail to Burst Rock and Powell Lake

A route along the old emigrant trail used during the Gold Rush years, travelers brought their wagons over the top of Burst Rock and down the slope to Pinecrest. At the summit of Burst Rock (9,100 ft.) you can see the Stanislaus River canyon. Lots of switch-backing up a well-maintained trail with a 500 ft elevation gain.









Cresting the peak we started down the other side hoping to find Powell Lake. Hikers kept us going by saying it was just a little further. Wildflowers still blooming lined the trail -- late season asters, a lovely species of Alpine Gentian, parasitic pinedrops (with very little to no chlorophyll), bush lupine.









We reached Powell Lake in time for lunch on the rocks with a beautiful overlook.



Rocky vista of Chewing Gum Lake on the opposite side of the trail heading back to Burst Rock and down to the trail head.