Ted's Hiking World Dinkey Lakes Reprise
Dinkey Lakes Wilderness

August 15, 2017

During my visit here last year, I let a visual sighting override my GPS, resulting in a retracement of my steps rather than the completion of a loop hike.  Today I hope to cover the ground that was missed earlier, plus a bit more.

The shortest route to the trailhead is closed due to a bridge washout, so I continue to a known alternate route that adds three rotten miles to the journay.  My new Outback handles it beautifully, however.

Some would-be visitors might turn back at the "Bridge Out" sign, being either unaware of the alternative or unwilling to tackle the extra difficulty.  This suggests that I might not have a lot of company on the trail today.

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Selfie at the trailhead
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The Lost & Found Department

There is but one other vehicle here at 10 o'clock, which is no surprise.  The skies are clear, and it is warm enough that I elect not even to pack an outer shirt.

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The walk begins next to Dinkey Creek

I am off to a good start, encountering a nice waterfall almost immediately.

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There was no running water here last year

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It is about a mile and a half and a 200-foot climb to the first trail junction, with the creek in view most of the time.

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This time I turn to the right.  A short series of switchbacks ensues; then what looks like a big pond appears to the right of the trail:

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Nice

Very soon, however, it is revealed that that presumed pond actually is the westernmost portion of something bigger:

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Mystery Lake

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A big marsh at the eastern end of the lake

I elect to walk on the grass for a time, trying not to step on the shooting stars; and it's just as well, because the trail is unusable here.

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The walkway is flooded

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Final view of Mystery Lake

As I saw last year in this area, portions of the trail seem almost hand-manicured.

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Walking here is a pleasure

Another half-mile or so includes a 300-foot series of switchbacks, necessitating several rest stops, to the next attraction.

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Swede Lake

After this hill-climb, it is time for a major decision.  My original pipe dream, admittedly designed for a younger person, was to include a continuation eastward on trails to Island Lake, then loop back off-trail past three high-elevation lakes.  A portion of that planned venture looks problematical and possibly quite difficult, however, as I gaze up at multiple talus fields.

Also, I already am feeling the strain of this outing, and the loop is only one-third completed.  Not wishing to wimp-out completely, though, I opt for a partial cross-country venture, starting from here.  The destination is but three hundred feet farther up, and I always could return here if it doesn't work out.

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The going looks friendly enough

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So far, so good

It seems that I didn't pay enough attention to the '300 feet' part, however.  I should have kept on climbing at every reasonable opportunity, for now I am compelled to scramble straight up a draw that features a number of obstacles.

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Clambering up this old dead tree isn't so easy

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Nearing the top

The scramble proves well-worth the effort, though; this little cirque is delightful.

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Fingerbowl Lake

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In truth, I never saw a cirque lake that wasn't delightful

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The Three Sisters overlook the scene

I am not surprised to find a use trail heading eastward, for it is less than half a mile of relatively easy travel over to the next lake.  Only a 200-foot climb is required this time.

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Island Lake

This pristine environment is no less delightful than the other one, but in a different way.  The stark white granite lining the shore is quite beautiful.

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This is why I go hiking

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At the outlet

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From the east side, the Three Sisters all are in view

This is the elevation high-point of my loop; but I have yet to reach the halfway point distance-wise, so I won't tarry here.

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Labrador Tea
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Tunnel Tree

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The Sierra Crest is twenty miles distant

Getting down to the next lake proves problematical, because one section of the route is absolutely horrid.  Right now I'm glad that I wore my heavy boots.

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The worst trail segment this side of Argentina

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Second Dinkey Lake

It's time to pause for snacks and some R&R.  I walked by the other side of this lake last year on my way up to the lovely Rock Lake.

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This lunch spot is inexplicably free of mosquitoes

Now I can start back.  There is one more new attraction on the agenda, the same one I missed out on last year when I made a wrong turn.  This time, even as I track my GPS religiously, I still end up veering farther north than necessary.

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First Dinkey Lake

That's the lake I headed for previously, but it's the wrong one.  Finally, I hone in on the desired location:

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South Lake appears

Wow!  This is my fifth new lake of the day; that's quite a haul.

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I was up there behind that ridge just a couple of hours ago

Human voices approach, accompanied by two humans and a dog.  They ask whether this is the best spot.  I point up in the direction of Fingerbowl Lake, proclaiming it to be the best spot; but that comment draws a blank stare.  They are simply "doing the loop counter-clockwise".

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The couple stops here for a break

From here, I am loath to continue on the trail back to Swede Lake, because I didn't like that steep section of switchbacks on the other side.  My luck has been good thus far; so I opt to strike out cross-country again, veering somewhat to the north despite the extra distance involved, knowing that sooner or later I will run into the primary pathway.

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The cross-country going is easy

The one steep downhill is negotiated without incident; and in less than an hour I do run into the main route that leads to First Dinkey Lake.

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Back at Dinkey Creek

Having a two-mile slog ahead of me yet, I break out my Walkman.  Listening to music definitely relieves the tedium of a 'just getting there' walk, even with a babbling brook nearby.

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An unusual place for a blaze
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More 'manicured' trail

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This rock turns red when wet

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The limestone turns green when wet


§: This was such a rewarding outing — another typical Ted-Hike, featuring new and beautiful lakes, great cross-country ventures, perfect weather, and a modicum of adventure.  The only drawback was the condition of the access road.

The Dinkey Lakes Basin is a very mellow place, with various choices of routes and many campsite options as well.  If you fancy a quiet place to stay, this is a good choice.

Scenery *
Difficulty *
Solitude *
Adventure *

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The dotted red lines are the suggested cross-country routes

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