- Joined
- May 24, 2015
- Messages
- 169
This summer I hiked with one of my daughters thru some of the Sierras most scenic high altitude lakes. We started by driving up from the southern part of the state to the Mammoth lakes area. We stayed overnight in the Alabama hills hoping to see a good sunrise with some of the arches. It was a clear sunrise with glow on the mountains.![_73A6673.jpg _73A6673.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49959-707d91d7410840d0a5f69734d7b7024a.jpg)
Mt Whitney on far right.
![_73A6676.jpg _73A6676.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49960-d085559c986a7a7bef8be6600d153528.jpg)
After picking up our permit in Bishop we did a day hike out of Rock Creek. This is one of the higher trailheads in the range, the car was parked at 10,300 feet, so we were into some great scenery without much effort.
![_73A6679.jpg _73A6679.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49961-32470b1f9ef14da4d81491af4ff592de.jpg)
The calendar said last day of July but up high it felt like it was still Spring.
Pussywillow blooms.
![_73A6709.jpg _73A6709.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49962-91bf6fea060fc6bb449dd97daf6660b9.jpg)
Fun at the Lakeshore
![_73A6685.jpg _73A6685.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49963-e96b923b129c940494ba5708de56faa0.jpg)
The next morning we got started on our backpack trip. We caught the Mammoth shuttle to Agnew meadows and headed North on the River trail . As we went by Thousand Island Lake we passed a family with pack Llamas toting their gear going South.
![_73A6734.jpg _73A6734.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49964-7e7960666c6173879df29c333aed7b5e.jpg)
![_73A6736.jpg _73A6736.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49965-f50799a2ba02cb1b0acdc2d183c5fffa.jpg)
![_73A6754.jpg _73A6754.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49968-ceebd26cbf7ee7d892d326a41ea72495.jpg)
Mt Banner was a great backdrop for the many vistas we would encounter our first few days.
![_73A6760.jpg _73A6760.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49969-f1c1a9dd86909d36c2ae3467c0c6407c.jpg)
Sunset was very clear and quite pleasant.
![_73A6783.jpg _73A6783.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49970-845f74ddcc21779fb83d6fd3a1291ef4.jpg)
The Milky Way came out a little later.
![_73A6784.jpg _73A6784.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49971-b9189ff34324893643a52d161ba2ce5e.jpg)
Sunrise found us surrounded by an ever-changing colored landscape and sky.
![_73A6809.jpg _73A6809.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49972-f05fe7c4450fadb916707991fc9e2c0c.jpg)
![_73A6834.jpg _73A6834.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49973-8170c89062bc41d74cdf346e3952c639.jpg)
It was easy to go crazy with the camera.
![_73A6846.jpg _73A6846.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49999-248f41e7258916c81155009439e6a75f.jpg)
The sunrise in the other direction was colorful too.
![IMG_3708.jpg IMG_3708.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50008-740441228b7579c5c6f6fcb42f55f163.jpg)
Early sunrise panorama
![IMG_4239.jpg IMG_4239.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50010-781da3d71bd4c0e57f0c11d11a6dfed0.jpg)
Paintbrush Reflections
![_73A6854.jpg _73A6854.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50039-0f140f221cde5f742af3a9579cbe4cea.jpg)
There was a cool rock at camp with a big white stripe.
![_73A6859.jpg _73A6859.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50000-ebc5498df84fc1a7d8593a94296b58ec.jpg)
Once the sun was fully up we tore down the tent in search of more lakes.
![IMG_3693.jpg IMG_3693.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50009-de5e18a6fb13baf06fea05a2caefde46.jpg)
The next destination was Lake Catherine. Along the way we saw some nice high meadows
![_73A6895.jpg _73A6895.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50001-0f723f69334ec3c9c807130480733a42.jpg)
A Clarks Nutcracker feasting on pine nuts.
![_73A6879.jpg _73A6879.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50002-c4fd500bd0c3568f2d22c8b77ba63327.jpg)
![_73A6881.jpg _73A6881.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50004-6376cde64ff1b09e1056a82c9cdd7373.jpg)
The snow fields were very thin.
![IMG_3767.jpg IMG_3767.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50007-578b8b89274ab86bc7784f126ba724fc.jpg)
As our hiking continued Mt Banner was again the backdrop for more great scenery.
![_73A6929.jpg _73A6929.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50006-6a50809ea99e576f2d5cec263a6cc41d.jpg)
Holly found a great lounge chair rock at this little swimming lake.
![IMG_3778.jpg IMG_3778.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50012-7dadd879e00a17a666fd61a9f52d5ef1.jpg)
Some of the lakes were remote enough that the endangered Sierra Yellow Legged frog was resident. They were nearly wiped out by the introduction of stocked trout to many of the lakes that nature had kept fishless.
![_73A6911.jpg _73A6911.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50013-4f9d9fb09dcb10b8103962ee546b90ac.jpg)
More sierra mountain color.
![_73A6973.jpg _73A6973.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50016-f1ad220c290bffd161f9a5d7d097828a.jpg)
Once we got up high the lakes were more accessible.![_73A6980.jpg _73A6980.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50017-ccf5f256fdda6385022694827778a4de.jpg)
Here is Nydiver lake were we had lunch.
![_73A6987.jpg _73A6987.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50018-729a71a84fc1b25db52fc56dda73ca80.jpg)
Garnet Lake
![_73A6977.jpg _73A6977.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50019-32d643fbb6be5afaea51a0ced3e95575.jpg)
We spotted a garter snake swimming along the shoreline.
![_73A7012.jpg _73A7012.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50020-546f7023a77cd26a68f81bd8c404f7ac.jpg)
It was quite predictable so I ran ahead and videoed it swimming towards the camera.
This was Lake Ediza.
![_73A7045.jpg _73A7045.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50021-f44550a94695b3bb624f943ea8fbbe5d.jpg)
This was before the sun came up.
![_73A7032.jpg _73A7032.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50022-d5b72dc37321818856ac4317af2caaa9.jpg)
All of our camps were really nice. The Ansel Adams Wilderness requires bear canisters. We had no issues with any of our food preparation areas.
![_73A7025.jpg _73A7025.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50024-3ab52bca39d71b9b802a951a33741836.jpg)
We left the views of Lake Ediza and Mount Ritter and Banner
![_73A7056.jpg _73A7056.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50025-0bf3ea8083f5a98868249fadeb820c32.jpg)
Next up were the Minarets
![_73A7068.jpg _73A7068.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50027-7033d37be83fc34ad0def213e273e959.jpg)
Iceberg Lake view.
![_73A7081.jpg _73A7081.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50028-c70cf90e4f376cd6e3f39590acd0ff36.jpg)
This shows how little snow was on the trail to Cecile Lake from Iceberg lake. We did run into a couple of parties traveling the other direction that had difficulty with the cross country up from Minaret Lake. One group had a fall that drew blood but otherwise made it through.
![_73A7079.jpg _73A7079.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50029-dec753111404035f7e0364d666476536.jpg)
Descending from Cecile Lake
![IMG_3876.jpg IMG_3876.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50038-750cfa598123dee07f3ea743095b2933.jpg)
Our final camp was at Minaret Lake.
![_73A7121.jpg _73A7121.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50031-f56c2c35b2656ccc89e9d250e2005b5c.jpg)
![_73A7114.jpg _73A7114.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50032-722a3144d7093e93138a3f6ffab70a6a.jpg)
Another great sunset looking toward Mammoth Mountain
![IMG_3892.jpg IMG_3892.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50033-d55ebaa52456b25bbf20b78a3d796b6c.jpg)
The hike out on the next day .
![_73A7147.jpg _73A7147.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50035-626f8c2b5d57ba99a0014281d3351bfc.jpg)
A pair of Pine Martens crossed the trail oblivious to our presence as they played amongst the deadfall.![_73A7152.jpg _73A7152.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50036-4e07ea6c4a7cb6e6674c8bdc6d2a2f89.jpg)
The weather was clear and warm the entire trip. Not even a thunderstorm day or night.
Thanks for joining us.
Tim and Holly
![_73A6673.jpg _73A6673.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49959-707d91d7410840d0a5f69734d7b7024a.jpg)
Mt Whitney on far right.
![_73A6676.jpg _73A6676.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49960-d085559c986a7a7bef8be6600d153528.jpg)
After picking up our permit in Bishop we did a day hike out of Rock Creek. This is one of the higher trailheads in the range, the car was parked at 10,300 feet, so we were into some great scenery without much effort.
![_73A6679.jpg _73A6679.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49961-32470b1f9ef14da4d81491af4ff592de.jpg)
The calendar said last day of July but up high it felt like it was still Spring.
Pussywillow blooms.
![_73A6709.jpg _73A6709.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49962-91bf6fea060fc6bb449dd97daf6660b9.jpg)
Fun at the Lakeshore
![_73A6685.jpg _73A6685.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49963-e96b923b129c940494ba5708de56faa0.jpg)
The next morning we got started on our backpack trip. We caught the Mammoth shuttle to Agnew meadows and headed North on the River trail . As we went by Thousand Island Lake we passed a family with pack Llamas toting their gear going South.
![_73A6730.jpg _73A6730.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50264-8c034efc68a0cc8f751843fd21425b7b.jpg)
![_73A6734.jpg _73A6734.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49964-7e7960666c6173879df29c333aed7b5e.jpg)
![_73A6736.jpg _73A6736.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49965-f50799a2ba02cb1b0acdc2d183c5fffa.jpg)
![_73A6754.jpg _73A6754.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49968-ceebd26cbf7ee7d892d326a41ea72495.jpg)
Mt Banner was a great backdrop for the many vistas we would encounter our first few days.
![_73A6760.jpg _73A6760.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49969-f1c1a9dd86909d36c2ae3467c0c6407c.jpg)
Sunset was very clear and quite pleasant.
![_73A6783.jpg _73A6783.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49970-845f74ddcc21779fb83d6fd3a1291ef4.jpg)
The Milky Way came out a little later.
![_73A6784.jpg _73A6784.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49971-b9189ff34324893643a52d161ba2ce5e.jpg)
Sunrise found us surrounded by an ever-changing colored landscape and sky.
![_73A6809.jpg _73A6809.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49972-f05fe7c4450fadb916707991fc9e2c0c.jpg)
![_73A6834.jpg _73A6834.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49973-8170c89062bc41d74cdf346e3952c639.jpg)
It was easy to go crazy with the camera.
![_73A6846.jpg _73A6846.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/49/49999-248f41e7258916c81155009439e6a75f.jpg)
The sunrise in the other direction was colorful too.
![IMG_3708.jpg IMG_3708.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50008-740441228b7579c5c6f6fcb42f55f163.jpg)
Early sunrise panorama
![IMG_4239.jpg IMG_4239.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50010-781da3d71bd4c0e57f0c11d11a6dfed0.jpg)
Paintbrush Reflections
![_73A6854.jpg _73A6854.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50039-0f140f221cde5f742af3a9579cbe4cea.jpg)
There was a cool rock at camp with a big white stripe.
![_73A6859.jpg _73A6859.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50000-ebc5498df84fc1a7d8593a94296b58ec.jpg)
Once the sun was fully up we tore down the tent in search of more lakes.
![IMG_3693.jpg IMG_3693.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50009-de5e18a6fb13baf06fea05a2caefde46.jpg)
The next destination was Lake Catherine. Along the way we saw some nice high meadows
![_73A6895.jpg _73A6895.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50001-0f723f69334ec3c9c807130480733a42.jpg)
A Clarks Nutcracker feasting on pine nuts.
![_73A6879.jpg _73A6879.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50002-c4fd500bd0c3568f2d22c8b77ba63327.jpg)
![_73A6881.jpg _73A6881.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50004-6376cde64ff1b09e1056a82c9cdd7373.jpg)
The snow fields were very thin.
![IMG_3767.jpg IMG_3767.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50007-578b8b89274ab86bc7784f126ba724fc.jpg)
As our hiking continued Mt Banner was again the backdrop for more great scenery.
![_73A6929.jpg _73A6929.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50006-6a50809ea99e576f2d5cec263a6cc41d.jpg)
Holly found a great lounge chair rock at this little swimming lake.
![IMG_3778.jpg IMG_3778.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50012-7dadd879e00a17a666fd61a9f52d5ef1.jpg)
Some of the lakes were remote enough that the endangered Sierra Yellow Legged frog was resident. They were nearly wiped out by the introduction of stocked trout to many of the lakes that nature had kept fishless.
![_73A6911.jpg _73A6911.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50013-4f9d9fb09dcb10b8103962ee546b90ac.jpg)
More sierra mountain color.
![_73A6973.jpg _73A6973.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50016-f1ad220c290bffd161f9a5d7d097828a.jpg)
Once we got up high the lakes were more accessible.
![_73A6980.jpg _73A6980.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50017-ccf5f256fdda6385022694827778a4de.jpg)
Here is Nydiver lake were we had lunch.
![_73A6987.jpg _73A6987.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50018-729a71a84fc1b25db52fc56dda73ca80.jpg)
Garnet Lake
![_73A6977.jpg _73A6977.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50019-32d643fbb6be5afaea51a0ced3e95575.jpg)
We spotted a garter snake swimming along the shoreline.
![_73A7012.jpg _73A7012.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50020-546f7023a77cd26a68f81bd8c404f7ac.jpg)
It was quite predictable so I ran ahead and videoed it swimming towards the camera.
This was Lake Ediza.
![_73A7045.jpg _73A7045.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50021-f44550a94695b3bb624f943ea8fbbe5d.jpg)
This was before the sun came up.
![_73A7032.jpg _73A7032.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50022-d5b72dc37321818856ac4317af2caaa9.jpg)
All of our camps were really nice. The Ansel Adams Wilderness requires bear canisters. We had no issues with any of our food preparation areas.
![_73A7025.jpg _73A7025.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50024-3ab52bca39d71b9b802a951a33741836.jpg)
We left the views of Lake Ediza and Mount Ritter and Banner
![_73A7056.jpg _73A7056.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50025-0bf3ea8083f5a98868249fadeb820c32.jpg)
Next up were the Minarets
![_73A7068.jpg _73A7068.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50027-7033d37be83fc34ad0def213e273e959.jpg)
Iceberg Lake view.
![_73A7081.jpg _73A7081.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50028-c70cf90e4f376cd6e3f39590acd0ff36.jpg)
This shows how little snow was on the trail to Cecile Lake from Iceberg lake. We did run into a couple of parties traveling the other direction that had difficulty with the cross country up from Minaret Lake. One group had a fall that drew blood but otherwise made it through.
![_73A7079.jpg _73A7079.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50029-dec753111404035f7e0364d666476536.jpg)
Descending from Cecile Lake
![IMG_3876.jpg IMG_3876.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50038-750cfa598123dee07f3ea743095b2933.jpg)
Our final camp was at Minaret Lake.
![_73A7121.jpg _73A7121.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50031-f56c2c35b2656ccc89e9d250e2005b5c.jpg)
![_73A7114.jpg _73A7114.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50032-722a3144d7093e93138a3f6ffab70a6a.jpg)
Another great sunset looking toward Mammoth Mountain
![IMG_3892.jpg IMG_3892.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50033-d55ebaa52456b25bbf20b78a3d796b6c.jpg)
The hike out on the next day .
![_73A7141.jpg _73A7141.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50034-d7e9ac4ee17c76d7ba0a6a58243e9a4d.jpg)
![_73A7147.jpg _73A7147.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50035-626f8c2b5d57ba99a0014281d3351bfc.jpg)
A pair of Pine Martens crossed the trail oblivious to our presence as they played amongst the deadfall.
![_73A7152.jpg _73A7152.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/50/50036-4e07ea6c4a7cb6e6674c8bdc6d2a2f89.jpg)
The weather was clear and warm the entire trip. Not even a thunderstorm day or night.
Thanks for joining us.
Tim and Holly
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