Mystery Lakes

As promised, this blog is not all about kayaking; we often head out into the Sierra with backpacks instead of boats. This time we headed into a set of lakes with several friends: Grant, Marc, Dave, Alison, Mary Joyce, Copper, Lucy and Charlie. This is one of our favorite spots with a superb campsite between alpine lakes at around 9000 ft - a great way to spend a couple of days.

Grant headed across the first creek crossing


The same creek crossing with super-hiker charlie doing self support


The hike in is about 10 miles and has a nice variety of scenery and biology as well as plenty of creek crossings for dog watering. The trail is almost entirely in Wilderness area as well.

One of the early views into the High Sierra


Yep, there is still snow up here in late June


A meadow with water for the dogs - a nice place to stop for lunch


Rebecca and her Mom posing in front of yet another lush meadow


Columbine and other flowers are thriving in the area this time of year



A Sierra Whistle Pig (aka Yellow Bellied Marmot)


Our destination...


A view from camp


Gourmet trail food - notice the expert convective oven set up by Chief Scout Marc. A bed of coals lay under the kebabs, which are fanned by the draft created by the fire to the right.



A nice morning hike into some of the impressive foxtail pines nearby. As you can see, these giant trees are growing straight out of the granite.


Lucy didn't actually have a tree fall on her, she's just resting...


Awesome spot with great folks!