High Sierra Topix

Started the New Year with a day hike to the Hilton Lakes on January 1st. Started above Rock Creek Lake, ended at Hilton Creek. Perfect weather and not much snow made for a great day trip! I should have brought ice skates! Ice conditions on the lake were perfect!

Enjoyed a hot lunch at Davis Lake, then watched the trout basking in the sun in Hilton Creek. There was an interesting traverse across a frozen "swamp" below Davis Lake; and then back home. A fun winters' day hike!

Wat a great way to spend the day. Of all the places I've been to in the Sierra I never went to HL.

These warm winter days are making for some great trip reports from you guys. I need to follow example and try and get up there. Thanks for posting your report, I'm jealous.

Very nice way to spend a day indeed WB!!! Never would have guessed you could day hike to those without snow shoes this time of year, but its a wierd year for sure. Nice report. Thanks!!

There is so little snow, snow shoes weren't needed anywhere! The unseasonably "warm" temps up here are actually melting what little snow there is left. I think the ice on the lakes may actually be getting thinner, so exercise caution when going out on the ice.
Last check, the Rock Creek Road was still open all the way to Mosquito Flat. (10,200') This is so unusual for this time of year. I saw other hikers taking advantage of great weather heading up the trail into Little Lakes Basin. On a positive note, there weren't any mosquitoes!