Winnemucca Lake Loop Mokelumne Wilderness |
July 8, 2009
It is time for this year's first visit to my favorite local hiking
destination. As summer has not yet arrived here, the predictable
early-season gale compels me to don a sweatshirt and headband.
It is 53 degrees at 10 a.m.
I am trying out a brand-new camera today — the revolutionary
Panasonic G1. As yet I have no telephoto or close-up
lenses, and no filters; so I'll just have to see how it goes.
The two-mile jaunt to Winnemucca Lake is one of easiest walks in the Sierra,
with just 400 feet of elevation gain on a well-maintained trail.
As expected, Ted's Garden is not yet doing its summertime thing.
A few snowdrifts even linger about the trail.
Interesting roots
Winter is still around
Davis's Knotweed
This lake's outlet is heather territory; but many of those blossoms have not yet opened. I manage to photograph a few that have done so.
Red Mountain Heather
Alpine Shooting Stars
Crossing the creek on the small log proves problematical for some, although balancing with a walking stick makes the job a lot easier. Some didn't see it that way, opting for a more difficult option of jumping boulders near the outlet.
I had hoped to find a garden of white heather in its traditional
spot — on the mountain slope next to the cascading snow melt,
but the little guys are nowhere in evidence today. Pshaw.
The official crossing
The predictably photogenic red creek
Elephants Back beyond the moraine
Marsh Marigolds
Heading back across the creek, I start up the moraine that holds Winnemucca Lake in place. Three small ponds are trapped up here, out of view from the main trail. Doubtless many hikers come and go, unaware of their existence. Along the way I find an unusual pile of bird feathers, worthy of a closer look.
Indian Paintbrush
Western Wallflower
Butterfly on Buckwheat
Donor unknown
Having already decided to make this excursion a loop trip, I continue
cross-country up through the boulders. It is hands-on
scrambling part of the way. Once above the rough section, the walking
is easy along the scree slope of Elephants Back, well above the main trail.
The voices of out-of-sight hikers complement the great view as I
munch some trail mix.
Caples Lake
Red Lake Peak, 10069'
Eventually I run into the Pacific Crest Trail, but following that is not in the plan. Continuing to the high point begets a view of Red Lake beside the highway on the eastern side of the pass. Along the way I discover a magnificent garden of stonecrop and buckwheat that makes my day. Actually, I had been hoping to find just such a display down at lakeside.
Elephants Back, 9585'
Red Lake, Hope Valley, and Freel Peak
No less pleasing is the ever-present phlox. No matter where I turn today, patches of purple and white abound, sometimes providing the only color in a particular area. That's why I am so fond of it.
A short descent to the back side of Frog Lake reveals yet another luscious garden. The flowers here are almost completely different from those at Winnemucca Lake. Much of the beauty of the these environs would be missed without a walk completely around the lake. It is especially nice at this time of year.
Two beautiful varieties of penstemon: Royal and Mountain Pride
Not bad photos in absence of a close-up accessory, wouldn't you say? It appears that my new camera has a great future as a hiking companion.
Pussy Paws
Spearleaf Stonecrop
Mule's Ears
Slendertube Skyrocket
After leaving Frog Lake, I spot a spur trail heading off to the north. Following it downhill, I unexpectedly run into a couple of fishers coming up the path, who say that they use this route all the time.
Shortly I reach a paved road at the bottom. This, the former trailhead,
is little-known today. I myself last used it nearly twenty years ago,
not realizing that this old route hasn't been completely forgotten.
Last look at Frog Lake
The old trailhead
The little road takes me to a spot just east of the pass, from which it will
be a short scamper beside the highway to the main parking lot. At the
junction I serendipitously encounter a monument commemorating the exploits of Kit
Carson (or more accurately, those of the John Fremont Party, for which Carson was
a scout), including a painting which looks pretty darned nice for an all-weather
roadside display:
The actual plaque has more detail than this photo ⇔
§: Today's route exemplifies the amazing climatic differences here.
Near Winnemucca Lake the alpine flora are just waking up, and much of the grass
isn't even green yet. Around the more arid Frog Lake, however —
just a short mile away and only 200 feet lower, many flowers are in full splendor.
This has been a most rewarding outing; I'll return in a month. Meanwhile, it's off to Yosemite next week.
Scenery | |
Difficulty | |
Personality | |
Flowers | |
Solitude |