John Muir Wilderness
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Chocolate Lakes Loop John Muir Wilderness |
July 20, 2015
This is my first Eastern Sierra trek of the season. Today's
trailhead is but a five-minute drive from the cabin of companions
Gary and Sharon, and David from down south is with us as well.
The weather might not cooperate with our venture, however. It seems that a hurricane in Baja California has sent a lot of "unseasonal" moisture our way; so Gary has provided me a nifty, breathable jacket lest there be some rain on our parade.
I also will be experimenting with two different cameras today, which should further complicate the adventure.
At the trailhead
South Lake is quite depleted
As expected, we immediately find ourselves in a lush garden; that's how it is in July on the trails in these parts.
Swamp Onion
Kelley's Lily
Beaked Penstemon
Shooting Star
Also normal for most trails around here is that the walk begins with a steep climb through the forest. We must earn our reward.
The mountains are waiting
Sharon has forged ahead, as is her wont, and already is out of sight. It is perfectly fine if others want to delay the expedition photographing flowers, as long as she doesn't have to hang around and watch.
That's a strong stick!
That's a warning stick
About a mile and a half up the Bishop Pass Trail, Gary suddenly stops, proclaiming that we are going the wrong way. It takes us but a few seconds, though, to retreat to that long stick beside the trail and veer off onto the path behind it. Why the junction is unsigned is a mystery, but this detour is supposed to take us to a number of lakes that are not on the main trail.
First view of Chocolate Peak, 11882'
Within a short distance we reach the first lake on the loop, where Sharon is waiting for us.
Bull Lake is quite photogenic despite the overcast
Alpine Aster
Western Monkshood
David's hat is awry; I hope he doesn't lose it
Some of the Crimson Columbines are hanging sideways
Gary hunts for a good photo-op, but it's right behind him
Pathway to the next garden
Mountain Marsh Larkspur
Coville's Columbine
Whitebark Pine
Red Mountain Heather
Coyote Mint
Dwarf Fireweed
I could stay here longer with my petaled friends, but it is time to move on to the next attraction.
Last view of Bull Lake
Chocolate Lake #1, at the foot of the Inconsolable Range
What kind of name is that for a bunch of rocks? Are all the peaks inconsolable, or did just one have a bad day?
Northward view
Sharon will monitor our water crossing
Chocolate Lake #2 and Cloudripper, 13525'
Now that's a great name for a mountain!
Same scene using the other camera
The north slope of Chocolate Peak
Chocolate Lake #3 is the biggest of the trio
Everything is beautiful above 11,000 feet
Sharon had warned us about a "steep" portion of tail; I believe that we have just found it:
A choose-your-own-route section
But after a mere 230-foot scramble, we reach the elevation high-point of today's route:
That wasn't so bad
From this saddle we can see a lot of stuff to the west:
Ruwau Lake and Mount Goode, 13085'
Sharon and David have selected a good lunch spot, in the sun. I shoot a couple of photos right from where I am sitting.
Lodgepole Pine
Rockfringe
It is 300 feet down to the biggest lake on the loop
Ruwau Lake, 11044', and Picture Puzzle, 13280'
Aphid infestation on the willow leaves
{unidentified}
A dead deer is lying on the trail beside the water. It looks like the work of a mountain lion.
David is warned to detour around the bushes
I don't know of a more photogenic peak than Mount Goode, 13085'
Meadow Mushroom
Button Mushrooms
Water everywhere
Sierra Penstemon
Newberry's Penstemon
Down we go
All the rocks are so colorful
Been there, done that
The Bishop Pass Trail is about as pretty as they come
Sticky Cinquefoil
Condensed Phlox
Approaching Long Lake
Phlox garden
Add a little Paintbrush
Long Lake looks a lot better in the sunshine
This is where I met Gary, four years ago
Hurd Peak, 12237'
The Chocolate Lakes drainage is low
The clouds are low as well
At the end Eden Valley, as I call it, some rain and hail start up as we plunge back into the forest and down the hill. Along the way we encounter some other dedicated mountain folk.
This John Muir look-alike is from Pennsylvania
A little pack train approaches
Gary and Sharon have forged well ahead. I start walking faster to catch up; but unbeknownst to me at the time, one of David's knees is bothering him badly due to a recent injury, and it is all he can do to keep up. Doubtless he will be applying his acupuncture needles tonight.
David struggles down
South Lake reappears
The last mile-long slog beside the ugly reservoir is something of a chore, but it doesn't take long.
The weather has not improved
§: Well, I had a great time today in the best of company.
The cloud cover was good for flower photography, but relatively inclement
weather definitely detracts from the overall feel of an outing —
at least for me.
The climatic conditions could not detract from the the incredible beauty of today's trek, however. I suggest that the loop be done clockwise as we did, because that steep, rocky slope is better tackled in the uphill direction; but it's a minor issue.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Flowers |  |
| Personality |  |
| Solitude | |
