Ansel Adams Wilderness
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Mammoth Crest Ansel Adams Wilderness |
August 27, 2012
Since I couldn't secure my usual room at Lee Vining, I am staying in Mammoth Lakes Village. As long as I am here, I might as well go for one of the local hiking options today. Ideally it won't be a long walk, because it might be best to save my resources for tomorrow's planned blowout adventure.
That's interesting, and unexpected. The topo map shows the wilderness border to be somewhat north of here, so the area must have been expanded.
Above Lake George
The route switchbacks directly up the hillside to a junction. I will save the Crystal Lake spur for later.
Crystal Crag
Right turn
To the north is Mammoth Mountain. Its equally mammoth ski facilities all are on the other side, conveniently out of sight.
Horseshoe Lake's appearance is quite unappealing today
The fairly strong breeze should hold the air temperature down; of course,
it abates just as I must slog up a series of hot, dusty switchbacks.
After about 1,200 feet of gain the trail becomes more interesting.
Red earth becomes the norm
There always is another hill
What initially seems like the crest predictably is not. It is another eighty feet up an unusually colored hill to the top.
And yet another
There are some nice views up here. The Ritter Range to the north always is worthy of a look.
The Minarets and Banner Peak
The trail leads south along the crest to a junction with another path that
heads right back whence I came. Continuing along the ridge, I presently
find myself at the intersection of three counties — Mono, Madera,
and Fresno. This also will be only the second time that I have visited
two different wilderness areas on the same hike.
Atop the Mammoth Crest
Hoping to get some views of points south, all I find around the corner is a flat expanse of white sand. This will never do. I promptly veer off the trail to the right over to a rock outcropping at the edge of this long, thin mountain.
No scenery here
Perhaps over there
Aha! This is more like it. A mountain range that I have not seen previously is designated on the map as the Silver Divide.
Sharktooth Peak, 11650' (left-center), is seven miles south
I could continue to higher points; but this walk already is shaping up to be longer than I had planned, so I start back.
More of the Mammoth Crest
More of the Ritter Range
More of the big flat space
The first hikers I have encountered today
Opting for the alternative trail to take me back, I soon get a first look at Crystal Lake below, as well as many of the others in the area.
In the distance is Laurel Mountain, 11818'
The Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Lakes Village
The next hike I take around here will be over there by the big hills
I see a popular local attraction in the distance, behind that red rock. Let's see what my new 24× zoom can make of it.
I hope that that boulder stays put
Lower Twin Lake has a nifty footbridge in the middle
I can even make out people standing on that bridge, at two miles away.
Some critter's lunch leftovers. Pine nuts are delicious
Now it is gravy time, and the reward is just around the corner.
Crystal Crag and the Crystal Lake outlet
The obvious trail crosses the creek and winds along the left-hand
side of the lake.
On the eastern shore
Brook Cinquefoil
This is a good time to doff my boots and munch some gorp. Oddly enough, I have seen only a dozen or so others at this easily accessible place.
From here it is just a couple of miles back on the relatively unexciting trail.
George and Mary are quite close
Because an opportunity presents itself, I humor myself with another telephoto shot before calling it a day:
Cruising
Back at the lodge
§: One big advantage of staying in Mammoth Lakes is that the
trailhead is only four miles away; this leaves me time for a nice nap
before dinner. There were some good views from the ridge top today,
but nothing to become overly excited about.
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