Inyo National Forest
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Convict Lake Loop Inyo National Forest |
June 20, 2019
Having already done shorter walks in two other places, Gary and David and I would round out the day with a circumambulation of a beautiful lake. The only issue is that water will be flowing all over the place at the far end, and getting over and through it could be a challenge.
"You can cross over there."
In the opening scene of the movie classic, How the West Was Won, Jimmy Stewart is seen paddling a canoe on this lake. In the next scene, however, he is paddling up the Platte River in Nebraska! Go figure.
Laurel Mountain, 11818'
Everything more than 200 feet above us is in the John Muir Wilderness, so there is plenty to look at. That mountain is comprised largely of marble. At a different angle of the sun, it can be spectacularly colorful.
This brush was flattened by an avalanche
They put a lot of work into this trail
The route becomes more interesting
The first water hazard
Crossing #1 is easy enough
David is on the boardwalk
When I came back here with my sweetie some twenty years ago, there was enough water that we were compelled to turn back. A passing couple, however, has just told us that they made it through without a problem.
Peeking at Mount Morrison
More water over here
This is why I go hiking
The fun can't last forever, though. Eventually, the boardwalk comes to an end, leaving us to fend for ourselves again.
Crossing #2 is fairly easy as well
Obstacle #3 is more of a challenge
David borrows my stick for this one
It's more fun where we are
The Jeffrey Pines are wonderful
The fishers have been moderately successful
Back on dry land now, we meet the trail that heads up Convict Canyon. Doubtless that route is spectacular; but sections have been washed out and have not been repaired, making some of the going difficult and exposed.
I am hoping to get up that way later this season, however, by way of Laurel Canyon on the other side of the mountain. If the rocks on Laurel Lakes Road are too big for my Outback, perhaps I can utilize my new electric bicycle. It's about five miles up to the trailhead.
California Lilac
Bruneau Mariposa Lily
The packer shows off for the camera
Mount Morrison, 12241'
That peak was named after Sheriff Robert Morrison, who chased a group of convicts that had escaped from the prison at Carson City, Nevada in 1871. The bad guys were rounded up near this spot, so that's why they call it Convict Lake.
McGee Mountain is hiding back there
The top of Laurel Mountain
The avalanche chute is plainly evident
Those guys recruit me for group photo
The photo session takes a while, because someone has left the iPhone in Record Mode; not being a smartphone expert, I snap a couple of photos of myself before the matter is resolved. (Actually, I do own an iPhone; but I never have taken a picture with it.)
My guys have disappeared, but I know where they are
A row of rentals
The final quadrant of this loop is on sidewalks and pavement. David and Gary are lollygagging a bit, probably so that I can catch up, which I do.
The car is over there somewhere
§: Well, this walk was relatively short; but it seemed longer.
The boardwalk area was delightful. Had there been much more water, we would not
have been able to complete the loop without getting wet.
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