John Muir Wilderness
|
Ruby Lake John Muir Wilderness |
July 25, 2012
Today's outing is supposed to start somewhere on the Laurel Lakes Road out of Mammoth Lakes. After going less than two miles, however, I prudently abandon the attempt; even the jeeps are having difficulty in here. One guy in a big pickup truck informs me that his own engine had overheated up the way.
Needing a Plan-B, I drive south to Tom's Place, then down Rock Creek Road to the highest trailhead in California. Having arrived late, I must use the alternative parking lot, which adds nearly a mile to the total walk.
I last visited here three years ago, with My Barbara. Instead of ambling up through the valley today, I veer right at the first trail junction.
Getting started
Within ten minutes of climbing, the Little Lakes Valley vista begins to unfold.
Marsh Lake (lower left), Heart Lake, Box Lake
The expansive views disappear as I continue up the path.
A spur trail veers left from the main route toward a little notch. That seems like a good way to go.
This is exciting
Ruby Creek
Of course, the lake is not ruby-colored at all; its name was not derived from the water's appearance.
Ruby Lake is beautiful
That cliff-top is more than 13,000 feet high
Unnamed spires
I meet a pair of women from Reno having lunch at lakeside. One of
them admits to being 82 years old. What an inspiration!
At the outlet
As I start back down the little canyon, the flowers begin to grab my attention:
Lemmon's Paintbrush
Little Elephant Heads
Just below the lake's outlet
Fireweed
Wavyleaf Indian Paintbrush
Only now does it occur to me to hunt for a vantage point above the lake
for a photograph. By scurrying up the main trail, then veering
cross-country, I am able to get a lakeview photo that is partially
obscured by trees.
Starting up the Mono Pass Trail
Ruby Lake overview
More unnamed crags
Down below, half a dozen trail maintenance workers are moving debris away from the creek.
A trail-maintenance crew is clearing the stream
Rolling a tree branch up the hill
There are so many lakes in the valley that many of them go unseen by hikers on the trail below. A few of those are easily viewed from up here.
Some of the Hidden Lakes behind Box Lake
Mount Morgan, 13757'
Mount Agassiz and Bear Creek Spire rise above unnamed peaks ⇔
From the base of the hill, it is a relatively flat scamper back to the trailhead.
Nearing the end
§: Any walk in Little Lakes Valley is spectacular.
Today I got my first aerial views of the basin. There remains
a lot of unexplored territory to cover at later dates.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Solitude |  |
