High Sierra Topix

Last weekend I took a day trip up to Wolverton, Alta Peak through the Tablelands and down via the Lakes' Trail. The smoke report from the Rough Fire forecasted no problems in the Lodgepole area; they were right, as I only smelt a faint whiff once or twice. But the smoke driving up the 180 was like driving through the valley fog. I started on the trail at 6 sharp and made it to the top of Alta in an embarrassing 3.5 hours. A 20 minute break at the top then I started east along the ridge, dropping down to unnamed lake and climbing back up to overlook Moose Lake. I spent some time here, walking up and down, admiring the sea of granite and the dozens of small lakes and tarns. I decided to head north, not quite sure how far or where, but north. I passed the typical granite slabs and made my way through a series of ponds. I kept north and finally made it to the overlook over Table Meadows and Lake 10,559. Turning back I passed many more lakes before paralleling the Kaweah and following a drainage/use trail west. After looking down on another meadow one ridge east of Pear Lake, I climbed the pass and took another break by the Matterhorn. I dropped down to Pear and after filling up with water started back to the parking lot at 3. A quick jog later and I was at the parking lot at 5. Ice cream at Stony Creek was a welcomed relief before heading back down the hill.

Map
Smoke from Panther Gap
Smoke from Panther Gap
Looking up towards Alta Peak
Heading to the Summit
Looking down on Pear Lake
Frogs around Lake ~10,800
Overlooking Moose Lake
Looking north into the Tablelands
Typical rock formations
Overlooking small lakes in tablelands
Interesting Rock Wall
Tableland slabs
Overlooking small unnamed lakes
Largest unnamed lake
Looks like the rock was spit out
Table Meadows Lake
Upper Table Meadows
Weather Station
and another...
Upper and lower lakes -these actually had fish
Meadow by Ranger Station
Above Pear Lake
Looking down Tokopah Valley

Thanks for the trip through some familiar ground. I was there in late July during the thunderstorms. Your photos of the smoke conditions are very much appreciated and I like the detailed shots of the interesting rock formations! I can't think of a better place to spend a day.

Nice day trip! Did a variation of this loop (but in three leisurely days) a few years ago and it sure is a pretty area.

Great trip report! Thank you for sharing.

I did a similar day hike in 1989.

http://www.sierrahiker.com/TablelandsLoop/index.html

Is there a geologist in the house? (I know there is) What can you tell us about those two vertical scree slides in the second to last photo? I assume they are fault scour zones. If they are, are they small local faults, or might they connect to the notch seen in the distance, just left of the smooth slope? Or are they something else entirely- simply more easily weathered rock types?

I often think that I am seeing fault lines on my hikes, but I wonder which are small faults, and which are just large joint planes? Thanks for the education, Harlen.

Harlen wrote:Is there a geologist in the house? (I know there is) What can you tell us about those two vertical scree slides in the second to last photo? I assume they are fault scour zones.

Sure, there are plenty of faults in the Sierra. However, there are many more joints aka fractures. Note the lower areas above the talus. The fracturing in those areas has allowed the rock to break more easily than the less fractured rocks next to them. The fractured rocks have fallen toward the lake and formed the dramatic talus cones.

Here's something from the internet describing the difference between a joint and a fault: A joint is a fracture along which no movement has taken place, usually caused by tensional forces. A fault is a fracture or break in the rock along which movement has taken place.

Those may be faults, but it's not obvious from the photo. They would have to be studied carefully on the ground because there is no evidence that different rock types have been placed next to each other through faulting, i.e., the rocks on both sides of the fracture look the same.

Okay, Thanks for the prompt reply Bill.