Pemberton and Vista

6/1/2012

Today's hike to ascend both Pemberton and Vista Lane stairways up to Twin Peaks Park started from the foot of Clayton and Corbett on Pemberton (first pic) to the top at Crown Terrace (210 steps). Second pic: the upper, older part of Pemberton. From the top of the stairs, turn left.

Some plants have been trimmed around the short steppingstones pathway, from dead-end Crown Terrace out to Crown Court/Raccoon, and it's easy to see. At the end of the path, climb up the hill to the right on Raccoon to Twin Peaks Blvd. (across from Mountain Spring). From here, uphill left to the house that resembles an airplane hangar where a street sign says "Burnett 000." Take another left (third pic) on Burnett for a pleasant several-block walk over to the Hopkins street sign. Fourth pic: A view from Burnett down to where I came from (upper left).

There are two short stairways leading up from Burnett here, a few yards apart. Took the first one that's somewhat hidden under trees (fifth pic). If you take the next one, the next stairway up is directly above it. Vista Lane crosses streets and driveways (sixth pic) but there are no street signs for it.

The first set up from Burnett is 30 steps; the next set 62. The count for the next is 35; next 55. Here you will see a Crestline street sign to your right. Turn left to take the rest of the stairs. The next set is 20; the final set is 49 up to Crestline: 251 steps total for Vista Lane (not counting the other short stairway that starts up from Burnett). Directly across the street on Crestline is the trailhead sign for Twin Peaks Park. Continue up.

This stairway up from Crestline is old, wood, steep, uneven, and 94 steps. At Twin Peaks Blvd. a skinny trail on the other side of the guardrail will take you north or south. A short distance to the south took me to another stairway. This too is old, wooden, and steep, with about 39 widely spaced steps down to Twin Peaks Blvd. (again). Directly across the street from the foot of this stairway there's a short trail down to the top of Midcrest Way: seventh pic.

Descended steep Midcrest to Panorama, turning left downhill to Twin Peaks Blvd. (again), where beyond the guardrail Glen Canyon is suddenly and awesomely visible. Mount Davidson's NE side is to the right.