Owens River Headwaters Wilderness
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Yost Lake Owens River Headwaters Wilderness |
October 8, 2014
On my way to Bishop in preparation for an eight-day excursion to
southern Utah, I must find somewhere to hike along the way.
The glorious Eastern-Sierra fall-color display is in
full swing. Near Conway Summit on US-395 — my favorite
section of my favorite road — several people have pulled over
to take photographs. For some reason I do not join them; but when I
reach the pass and ask myself, "What the hell am I doing?" I turn around
and drive a mile back down the hill. This is why:
Oh my! New England, eat your heart out
Previously, I have done just one other hike in the June Lakes area. Today a big gray cloud is hanging over the trailhead, but I mustn't worry about that.
Getting started
This steep hillside is traversed initially with the aid of a single long
switchback. The trail itself is a relentless 10-12% grade.
Silver Lake to the north
Across Fern Creek is a precarious log bridge, which in the old days I would have scampered across; but my one good eye has been giving me big problems lately, and my latest eyeglass prescription is causing a bit of dizziness. I will cross down below.
Scarier than it looks
June Lake
The path is mostly forested
Presently I encounter an unexpected greeting to a wilderness area I didn't know existed:
The trail more or less flattens out here, within half a mile of the objective:
Yost Lake is surrounded by fall color
The residents are happy
What is going on here?
Starting back, I veer over to Yost Meadow, which would be really nice in
mid-summer. Avoiding stepping into some little creeklet or
other requires all my attention.
Back at the creek crossing, a young couple asks me to take a picture of them and their friendly mutt.
Up and down the creek
A steep spur trail from here leads up to Fern Lake, but I will pass on that option today because of the possibility of rain.
The trail is even steeper going down
1,100 feet to go
It's right where I left it
§: Yost Lake was quiet and peaceful; except for the ducks, I had the
place to myself. It did rain here within an hour of the end of my walk.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty | |
| Solitude |  |
