High Sierra Topix

mp,
Fabulous shots, but yes, you definitely could have used more time on that route. I don't know what the flowers were like in Bench canyon, but the first time I went up that way, the lupine was sensational with dwarf plants all the way up to Blue Lake. And, I'm addicted to the infinity pool views one gets of the Minarets from Blue Lake. Then, there's the Lyell fork of the Merced. It's very low impact and spectacular. Hope you get back...
cg

bainhameen wrote:Just curious MP, do you reside at sea level? In terms of altitude acclimatization, do you have any trouble going from sea level (or whatever altitude you reside) to Minaret Lake (~9500ft) in one day?

Thanks,

b-h

I do live at sea level but we drove up to TM on Tuesday night and spent the night at altitude. We relaxed around TM most of the morning and then caught a ride to Mammoth on Wed afternoon. I think the night at altitude was a big help. Still, i was exhaused by the time we arrived at Minaret.

Thanks for the short report. It is good to see that conditions were good for you (snow and river crossings). Now you have to go back and spend some more time at each place! I do not think I am tough enough to do that route in 5 days! Wow!

Great trip! Thanks for the report. The meadows in the Lyell Fork of the Merced were what got me 100% hooked on the Sierra high country many, many years ago. Thanks for that photo.

I've been thinking of doing parts of that route sometime. I'll have to pick your brain when I start planning.

cgundersen wrote:mp,
Fabulous shots, but yes, you definitely could have used more time on that route. I don't know what the flowers were like in Bench canyon, but the first time I went up that way, the lupine was sensational with dwarf plants all the way up to Blue Lake. And, I'm addicted to the infinity pool views one gets of the Minarets from Blue Lake. Then, there's the Lyell fork of the Merced. It's very low impact and spectacular. Hope you get back...
cg

Thank you! The Lupine was largely gone from Bench Canyon but the Paint Brush and many other flowers were in full bloom.
I have a nice pic of an infinity pool at Blue Lake which I'll post later. It is one of my favorites from the trip because we finally had a few nice clouds in the sky that day.

We had no time to explore the Lyell fork of the Merced but if i return, i'll plan to budget extra time to work my way upstream towards the lakes underneath Electra and Ansel Adams.

Hi All,

Back again after a break from hiking in 2012!

Planning to hike from TM to Twin Lakes to complete the northernmost section of the SHR. Mileage is approx 28 miles with all but a couple of miles XC(according to Roper).

In contrast to 2011, when snow wasn't an issue but a consideration(only a couple of sketchy snow traverses by Iceberg Lake and North Glacier pass), I expect this year to be bone dry in Aug/Sept. A couple of questions as I start planning.

1) How available is water on this section? There are some lakes but it doesn't look "littered" with them and i doubt we can count on snow runoff.

2) 5 days for the DP to TM was more than enough for my hiking speed/condition. An extra day would have been great. So... as time is always a consideration, is 4 days a decent amount of time for this section or is 5 better? The terrain doesn't seem to be as spectacular and varied as the section on our last trip but...

3) Any must see detours that would offer either fishing opportunities, or photo ops. I'm not into fishing but i do hoof 12-13 lbs of camera gear along.

Regards,
Mark

And here is the picture from the reflecting pool by Blue Lakes that i never posted from 2011.