Yosemite National Park
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Spillway Lake Yosemite National Park |
August 03, 2007
It was decided to cancel the planned shuttle trip from Saddlebag Lake down
through Lundy Canyon, partly because the steepest portion of the trail consists
of a route across a constantly moving and therefore dangerous talus slope.
The Mono Pass trailhead, being just a few miles away, provides a good alternative
for today's outing. Despite an ongoing sore-foot problem, I will
hike with my friends at least part of the way.
The trailhead parking lot is full to overflowing, as the Yosemite
high-country is a busy place today. The temperature is a perfect
60° at 10 a.m. The walk through Dana Meadows is shady and
mellow; this stock-suitable route has no rough spots whatever.
Dominating the skyline to the west is Mammoth Peak.
Mammoth Peak, 12117'
There are just a few flowers around — mostly arnica. At my feet are some tiny, elegant meadow starworts; some have pink anthers, while others are purple.
Foothill Arnica
Meadow Starworts
Interesting bugs on the Cinquefoil
Shortly up the path we encounter the remains of a miner's cabin, minus
its roof. Nearby is a big camp of Miwok Indians; the tribe is performing
water-quality tests in this area. Beside the trail a big American
flag is planted in the ground. Companions Jeanne and Diane unfurl it to
reveal the Miwok version, which features a brave riding a mustang.
I didn't know that there was such a thing.
Miner's cabin
The Miwok American flag
At the 2-mile mark is a junction. To the left is Mono Pass and beyond;
we opt for the right-hand fork which parallels the creek toward several
lakes. The scenery becomes much nicer from here, beginning with a number
of beautifully colored rocks. Parker Pass Creek is gorgeous; walking
alongside it is exciting and invigorating. There is no way that I would
miss this section, bum foot or not.
Nice rock!
Parker Pass Creek
Miniature Lupine
Amazingly colored Lemmon's Paintbrush
A sawtooth ridge on the Kuna Crest looms above. Presently our destination appears.
The Kuna Crest in the distance
Spillway Lake, 10450'
The hillside is like a rainbow
Pictures cannot do justice to this special place. I flop down on the grass at lakeside; even at this exalted elevation, the water is warm enough for soaking weary feet. From where I sit there are numerous photo opportunities.
A lone Ledge Stonecrop at water's edge
Primrose Monkeyflower
Albeit full, the lake is quite shallow
Just beyond the colorful hill is Helen Lake, the area's biggest;
another five or six lakes adorn the ledge just above us.
Normally I would want to check them out, but today my foot isn't up
to the task. In any case, perhaps it is time to head back,
because a five-hour drive home awaits me. A parting
photo under a cloud sends us on our way.
View to the north
Starting back down Parker Pass Creek
Midway back, I spot a wonderfully orange-colored tree as well as a
wonderfully orange-colored butterfly.
Nice texture
Fritillaries go for daisies
An eastward view of Mount Dana reminds us that our journey is nearly
at an end. Hiding in the ground cover is a lone mushroom (toadstool?).
The last flower I see on the trail is a shrubby butterweed, I believe;
even that is beautiful today — along with everything else.
Mount Dana, Yosemite's second-highest point at 13061'
Brown Roll-rim Mushroom
Senior-citizen Groundsel
§: The trail itself was delightful — nary a rough spot in
its 4-mile length. Also, the weather was perfect and there were
no irritating insects.
A number of great cross-country options are available around here.
Half a dozen readily accessible lakes lie just above Spillway Lake.
A half-mile easterly scamper would reach the Parker Pass Trail for a
nice loop trip which could optionally include a view of distant Mono Lake.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Flowers | |
| Solitude |  |
