GOBBLER'S KNOB (9.15 miles / 4,585 ft. elevation gain) With the intention of heading up to do a Desolation-Dog Lake loop, I forgot that the gate doesn't open until July 1. Instead I lucked out by finding the Terraces Elbow Fork trailhead and did Gobbler's Knob (first time on this section of trail). Nice 1 mile run along the creek until the trail begins to climb. At the split in trail I took to right fork heading up to Baker's Pass. Passed a few hikers coming down as the wind kicked up and storm clouds were rolling in. Once to the pass, I wasn't sure if Gobbler's Knob was to the left (west) or up to the right (east). (I know now that the summit on the right is Mount Raymond--5 feet less elevation than Gobbler's Knob--which from the saddle, looks like it's lower in elevation than Mount Raymond.) After 3 false summits, finally got to the real summit of Gobbler's Knob. Super windy and dark clouds rolling in. 
Crazy looking twisted stumps on the way to the summit. 
Summit looking into SL Valley with sun rays shooting through the clouds 
Oh crap! Instead of going down the way I came up, I cut straight down the ridge and snowfields to the main trail taking about 1 mile off. Took a spectacular wipe-out sliding down on one of the snowfields--got the whole thing on video. Wiped the snow and mud off and continued down trail. Storm clouds blew over and turned out to be a perfect evening. One of those evenings where something about the sunlight creates an almost neon green hue to everything. Stopped to check out a small buck in the aspen's and snapped some shots. 
 Made good time getting back to the trailhead on perfect trail conditions. Great little trek.  I have this little problem with collecting things on my runs. I kind of over-did it on this one...heart rocks, cool shapes, the one on the left looks like a fish--even has a mouth.
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