High Sierra Topix

No...but you are soooo close! It was the same discussion of that canyon that got me on this trip. And if we had continued over one of the off trail passes we would have gone into the canyon of which you are talking. The one I am referring to is the canyon that leads to the lakes of the wild wild west...
Dee

This is a great topic. Some lakes I love because of memories I have there, others for their remoteness or scenic beauty. Some that come to mind are:

Summit Lake in Golden Trout Wilderness (first Sierra lake I ever saw!)
Lake Reflection
Precipice Lake
Sky Blue Lake
Moose Lake
Columbine Lake

Dee, I like your descriptions. Makes us work to find the answers. I think we should start a name this place thread (pics or no pics allowed)

ndwoods wrote:No...but you are soooo close! It was the same discussion of that canyon that got me on this trip. And if we had continued over one of the off trail passes we would have gone into the canyon of which you are talking. The one I am referring to is the canyon that leads to the lakes of the wild wild west...
Dee

Is this a canyon with metavolcanics on one wall and granite on the other, with a big meadow in the canyon bottom, and a 'lake' that's really a broadening of the stream meandering through the meadow?

Or are you talking about the branch that feeds this canyon from the west, a stepped basin with a lake at ever level?

Cecile (on the Minaret Loop)
Waca (in Desolation Wilderness)
Wanda (for unexplained phenomena at dusk)
Hilton Lakes #7 + #8
The last Big Pine Lake #7? (I forget)
Snow Lakes (above 4th Recess)

Hm...it was a few years ago. We did climb up thru a steepening meadow. There was a stream we followed that widened into lakes, there was granite on the north side and volcanics on the south side....I don't think it is fed from the west...not near my map to look tho.
And, we went past the lakes to an off trail pass that was amazing...just south of another pass that was"trailed" again passing lakes along the way.
Dee

1)Mono Lk,
2)Parker LK
3)Little Walker LK
4)Anna LK
5)Ladder LK
6)Lost Lakes/1000 Island
7)Tilden/Mary LK
8)Dana LK
9)Burrow LK
10)Honeywell LK

I taught art for 5-6 years. In one of my classes where I was a student my teacher presented his point of view that I came to basically agree with. The idea that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, while basically true is not a complete nor universal explanation of beauty. Objectivity and criterion play a their part. Mass bloody murder, I believe, is objectively ugly (visually). I think that some colors go together beautifully and others do not and I can explain why. I was a high school and community college musician with some talent, ability and knowledge (and a Music minor) and I can explain what makes some sounds and music objectively pleasing (beauty) and others not.
Lakes, however are very difficulty to objectify, but it's not totally implausible to do so to some reasonable level. However I don't claim to have anything like a significant amount of answers. I would rather pose questions and introduce ideas.
To my favorite lakes (visually): Of the Lakes already mentioned my favorite is probably 10232 in Goddard Canyon or maybe Bench (Arrow peak is just so awesome to me)
I'm going to make a favorites list attempting to not use any lakes already mentioned.

Sphinx
Upper Glacier (up copper creek)
Cartridge pass Lake (great view across to Bench - Arrow peak area)
Hangst (I hope I spelled this right) Lake. It's the lake under Eagle Scout Peak.

Upper Florence* (with a little snow) Its close to the Lyle fork of the Merced River.
A tarn* near the headwaters of the Lyle Fork of the Merced looking up toward Electra (I think) Peak

Cirque (near Apollo and Orchid)
Guest (out of Courtright)
Schoolmarm (ditto)
Hell for Sure Lake

* These two photos are hanging in my kitchen.

I hope I got these lake in the right location groupings.

pat h wrote:Cecile (on the Minaret Loop)
Waca (in Desolation Wilderness)
Wanda (for unexplained phenomena at dusk)
Hilton Lakes #7 + #8
The last Big Pine Lake #7? (I forget)
Snow Lakes (above 4th Recess)

I've spent a couple of nights at Wanda Lake, and while I do agree how incredibly beautiful it is, I'm not sure if I noticed this 'unexplained phenomena at dusk' that Pat describes. Can somebody explain this for me?

-Kurt

I am not sure about Yosemite, but based on natural setting and beauty, and personal visits, not necessarily the fishing.....

Bench Lake- west of Taboose Pass
Dragon Lake
Bullfrog Lake
Sapphire Lake
Big Pine Lakes