BSA to Lily Meadows+1mile Extra

RH · Post by RH » Mon Mar 30, 2026 1:24 am

Still not sleeping well and my cardio is severely lacking so I wanted something moderate but the weather is warm or roads are closed or trails are crowded. In 2024 I went from the Nordic Center to Mt Pinos, Sawmill, Sheep Camp, and then attempted to reach Lily Meadows but ran out of energy and time so I aborted a mile from Lily Meadows.

So I opted to connect to where I had left off but starting at the BSA camp. The warmer temps and poor cardio led me to take frequent breaks so I did some pruning in a few sections while catching my breath. Totals 10.2 miles 1600' gain.
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Post by **dima** » Mon Mar 30, 2026 7:55 am

Thanks for the report! Don't know what causes that cool erosion pattern, but I've seen in before. There's a bunch of it a bit W of where you were, in Quatal canyon:

Something about the local geology

RH · Post by RH » Mon Mar 30, 2026 1:04 pm

I looked into it and this gives an overview of those type of formation.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/badl-g ... ations.htm

Post by **JeffH** » Mon Mar 30, 2026 6:36 pm

This looks like a really nice area. How far is Lily Meadows from that trailhead?

RH · Post by RH » Tue Mar 31, 2026 2:45 am

JeffH wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2026 6:36 pm This looks like a really nice area. How far is Lily Meadows from that trailhead?

Just under 4 miles from the North Fork TH.

Post by **Sean** » Sat Jul 25, 2026 6:56 am

Thanks for the report and photos. I've learned to speak squirrel. Usually they're asking if you have some peanuts. I believe those formations are due to water eroding softer, looser matter before harder, denser stuff. But @Nate would be able to tell you.