At last the smoke cleared. 10 of us drove down to Scott's Valley and by the time we reached Callahan CA the sky was absolutely pristine. The roads from Callahan to the trailhead had a few bumpy spots but was no problem in high clearance vehicles. The new signage put in last year is a big navigational aid. The locals must have been tired of hikers arriving up their driveways. 

We hiked up to East Boulder Lake and two hikers opted for the shorter hike around the two neighboring lakes. The rest of us climbed over the rim to the right and around the rim to where the switchbacks take you back up. We startled a herd of cattle with their bells and they ran off at considerable speed. Unfortunately we had to give up elevation in the process and it was a bit hot when we did the switchbacks. Sabin had gone into high gear and was soon waving from the ridge. Then Nancy D and Denise rocketed up the steep slope, soon followed by Tracy who had gotten her second wind. The rest of us, all beer drinking males of the species, continued our struggles and eventually made it to the top. 

We joined the PCT on the ridge and found our usual lunch spot in the woods with fabulous views to the south. After a rest and some food we continued down the PCT along the cliff until we could see more lakes below us to the south. This part of the hike is always longer than you expect it to be and I was glad to see an old tree with a hole in in that marks the ascent back over the ridge. There was a lot of scree on the way down and someone commented that it afforded a rare amount of ankle exercise. 

We joined our colleagues in the marsh above East Boulder Lake, took the group pic, and headed home. Another herd of cattle ran by us on the trail. The hour was late so we didn't stop. I was gladdened that after all my earlier talk about this hike, someone commented that I had delivered as promised. It is a great hike. A stretch for Monday but I was glad to see several who did it last year wanted to do it again.