Cecelia and I had the pleasure of experiencing this route for the first time yesterday, after being denied the Blue Ridge when an accident blocked the road for several hours near Dawson Saddle. The trail begins out of Charlton Flat.
After the Charlton entrance, turn sharp right and follow the park road westbound to a closed gate. The trailhead can be found on the south (left) side.
There are "no parking" signs at the trailhead, but a couple small turnouts are available nearby.
The trail is only 1.4 miles one-way. We immediately noticed the work of the sawyer crews, who opened up a clear path the whole way to Vetter.
The Silver Moccasin Trail splits off here.
Someone installed a nice bench.
Much of the path runs along a small drainage gully.
For an area devastated by fire only nine years ago, the mountain had its share of life visible. New pine trees (probably planted) were growing along the trail. Some flowers. Some animals, including a deer who evaded my camera.
And this bird, which might be some kind of hawk.
The trail crosses the road twice before leaving the gully and switchbacking up the north ridge of Vetter.
At the temporary lookout station, friendly volunteers gave Cecelia a lesson in using an Osborne Fire-Finder.
They also let her look through the binoculars.
Whenever the American flag is flying, you know that the lookout volunteers are protecting the forest from wildfires.
And whenever I'm trying to take a summit selfie, you know that Cecelia is acting goofy in the background.
