High Sierra Topix

We were going to go up Convict Creek, but in the morning changed plans to start from Laurel Lakes Road. Its was a good choice. We would have had to turn back at the washed out bridge. Mono SAR had to get 3 people across the raging creek that had come out from the backcountry.

Our route started high and we had to go up and down 3 valleys to get to the start of our climb. Which means going up and down 3 valleys going back. SnowDude had altitude issues that ended with wheezing, any longer it would have turned into HAPE (from past experience, he's had it 4 times). Because of this we ended up coming out way after midnight.

First time on this peak for the guys, my fourth time. This was the best I've felt on this hike! No altitude issues.

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/Sierra-Nev ... 47_sd9PKQC" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


View from just past the Laurel-Bloody Saddle., we will descend about 150', then ascend 300' to the ridge with the trees (Photo by SnowDude)


Lake Genevieve (10,000'), taken from ridge at 10,800')


Corn Lily flowers at Lake Genevieve


White Heather


Mildred Lake below (9,800'), Mt Baldwin to the right (12,615'), after going by Lake Dorothy


We had to wade across the creek, but at least it wasn't as gnarly as the one from Convict Lake (3 hikers helped across by SAR that day)


Wildflowers were amazing, see Smugmug (too many to post here)


The climb up Mt Baldwin


Happy Summiteers!


Descent to the meadow


Mt Baldwin, upper left


Alpenglow on Mt Baldwin (Photo by SnowDude)


Alpenglow on Red Slate Mountain (Photo by SnowDude)


Apparently the toads like hopping around at night


Gnarly drive out took 1 hr in the dark, fun during the day, but not after being up for 23.5 hrs, and hiking 18 hrs of it.

23.5 hours and 18 hours HIKING !!! I always wanted to climb those mountains, not any more. Very nice pics and report. May just send my son up there. Congradulations for all of you !!!

Don

Fabulous! Thanks for the TR!

Epic "day hike." Thanks so much for the report and pictures!

Thanks! It was a beautiful hike, and it normally wouldn't take that long. The drive in and out was long (4x4/high clearance/slow). We would not have made the summit had we gone the normal route ( http://www.sierrawave.net/7779/mono-sar/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ). This was a longer route too, with a lot of gain on the way back. With AMS, you can't move fast. Scott has had HAPE 4x's before and had to slow way down just to make it out. He was wheezing and couldn't breathe, it was the start of rales, overnight without descending would have developed into HAPE. He wasn't acclimatized, and shouldn't have continued to the summit. We were planning to be out by 8pm, instead it was 2am. Then the hour drive down the mountain. Still, he did good for 5,550' el gain (start 9,932' and summit 12,615'), way too much gain at the end being in that condition. He was better when we got back to the condo, but was wiped out for a few days. Flying to Atlanta the next day for work didn't help (time change). :retard:

I love that area, and can't wait to do it again.

Cori...That is such a beautiful area..so different with the color of the rocks! Hope Scott is feeling better. It is really something the creek is still rushing where one can't get across on the 7th of August....it is nice to see so much water running down this time of year..where it would normally be all dried up!