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Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:45 pm
by DoyleWDonehoo
I might opt that over Otter lake since you guys say otter is not so pretty
Well, the link of yours:
http://photos.onetreedesign.com/content.php?cid=53
...Has a fairly typical picture of Otter Lakes. That is pretty much what it looks like, maybe a bit better at the larger lake. Like I said, Haystack is the reason. If you plan on climbing Haystack (an easy hike from Otter), it is the better choice.

To get to Branigan, I would take the trail out of Tiltill Valley, go around Mt. Gibson, and follow the ridge above Vernon Lake to the southwestern Branigan Lakes: from there the rest of the way is obvious and easy.

Thanks for the link. Nice pictures of Bearup Lake, Peninsula Lake, Inferno Lake etc.

Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 12:17 pm
by maverick
Go see which ever one you want to see. After putting in a few
thousand miles you start to get picky about which areas you like
or have a prefrence for(favorite or least favorite).
What matters is that you get the experience of being able to
enjoy the backcountry. Youll hopefully get lots of opps to explore
other lakes in the area on future trips.
Dont put pressure on yourself listening to our options.
Going out is about exploring and soaking in the beauty that nature has
givin us and preserving it for the future generations.

Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 12:56 pm
by maverick
Hey Doyle

Nice trip report of the Minarets. Ashley is my favorite in the southern
stretch! I went over Beck Lakes Pass and followed Iron Creek to
Iron Lake which is also quite beautiful with the glacier situated on the
southern end of the lake and Iron Mountain with its evening glow in the
lake makes it a real gem!

Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 1:44 pm
by will_jrob
I was up the trail as far as Rancheria Creek on 05/01. There seems to be plenty of water coming down from the high regions , Falls and Rancheria creeks. There was also quite a bit of poison oak along this stretch, but no mosquitos. The climb above Rancheria Falls to Tiltill ridge looks unattractive, through a previous burn that has killed just about any shade on that slope. Advise that you'll have plenty of high angle sun for much of the first day. Good luck and enjoy.
[img]http://www.flickr.com/photos/treeliner/481780297[/img]
[img]http://www.flickr.com/photos/treeliner/482811581[/img]
[img]http://www.flickr.com/photos/treeliner/487397848[/img]

Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 5:54 pm
by DoyleWDonehoo
will_jrob wrote:The climb above Rancheria Falls to Tiltill ridge looks unattractive, through a previous burn that has killed just about any shade on that slope.
A year or so back I was doing a solo hike up Rancheria Mountain to Pleasant Valley (very overgrown in places and hot!), and on my way out I stayed at Rancheria Falls in my favorite camp site there, and the Ranger came up that day. He told me that burn there was arson, that some crazy guy left a note and was trying to start a major forest fire and burn everything he could. I forgot the reasons: he was crazy.
That slope up to the Tiltill ridge was exposed as it was...moreso now. Further along the ridge it is shady. I hope that did not burn.

Rancheria is one of the places I check where I crap and come back to see what trace I can find after a year or so. I know exact spots. I couldn't find anything every time I checked. Just an aside. :moon: :whistle:

Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 8:41 pm
by giantbrookie
DoyleWDonehoo wrote:
will_jrob wrote:The climb above Rancheria Falls to Tiltill ridge looks unattractive, through a previous burn that has killed just about any shade on that slope.
He told me that burn there was arson, that some crazy guy left a note and was trying to start a major forest fire and burn everything he could. I forgot the reasons: he was crazy.
Actually the full story is crazier still. The crime scene apparently resulted in the shut down of that trail long after the fire was put out--I had a hike cancelled because of this and had to death march in the snow up to Laurel. The excuse was that there was the danger of rockfall from erosion, but this was a smokescreen. I suspect they closed the area off because they still may have been looking for various pieces of evidence.--The fellow who set the fire killed himself there, apparently after waving off others with his gun. He was a notorious murder suspect from the Bay Area. He had vanished after he was suspected of killing his family. If was some time later that apparently decided to go out in in a very flamboyant fashion.

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 9:56 am
by SSSdave
I did a number of backpacks into those areas three decades ago before I changed from bushwhacking fisherman to photographer. Those were the days when rainbow trout still were found in most of the lakes. Days when Beehive Meadow was the center of the universe for spooky black bears both day and night. I'd bet not much elxe has changed since then given the generally light use. Only lake we've visited more recently has been Kibbie since it is a short hike to a uniquely pleasant lake. Outside of Kibbie, maybe my favorite was Ardeth Lake high up on a ridge with picturesque sierra junipers above on the rocky nose of Mahan Peak with expansive views beyond. ...David