Dorothy Lake (above Convict)

[deej]

Does anyone have any info on this hike? I heard the lake was beautiful. Hiked just after the last winter storm, but the water was a bit much for crossing (for me). Was wondering if there was another route other than the one out of Convict...or maybe even another path from that area. Worth the hike? Crowded or quiet? I'm curious.

[SSSdave]

Well sounds like you hiked part of the way and likely noticed the trail was very rocky. The whole canyon is the same with lots of metamorphic talus and scree. Pretty much a straightforward hike without anything tricky as shown on the topo or Inyo NF map. Some of the most fascinating geology one will see in the Sierra along the way. Nice large lake with rusty red shorelines.

[deej]

Thanks. Perhaps I just need to grin and bear that one river crossing or see if I can skirt around it by hanging lower for a bit.

[sparky]

Its worth the hike.

[SSSdave]

Hiked just after the last winter storm, but the water was a bit much for crossing (for me)...Thanks. Perhaps I just need to grin and bear that one river crossing or see if I can skirt around it by hanging lower for a bit.

When I read your opening post I didn't interpret that you were asking for a another way to the lake because you didn't want to have to figure out how to confront crossing the stream now. Instead thought you were just interested in another possible route there so you could explore a new trail. That was because I thought you were aware that stream volumes now are going to be far lower currently in mid summer on this droughty year than when you visited in what sounds like early or late spring while all the snow melt was still coming down.

So you must be a new person? Welcome to our Sierra Nevada deej. Your first natural history lesson is the volume of streams and rivers decrease dramatically between winter and late summer, in fact many roaring streams in May are bone dry by late August. Stream volumes are mostly a result of still melting snows. Stream basins at the highest elevations are the last to melt. Convict Creek has a fair amount of high areas up to over 13000 feet so even in late summer has nice flow though nothing now at mid July that is likely difficult to cross.

[deej]

Thanks for your info, mr. sssdave. I'm "fairly" new to this site (sharing anyway), but not to the wilderness. You are correct to say I was there early season. I was just wondering if anyone had another idea for a different path. There is one you can catch off a dirt road, but I've been on that road...a little too dry and dusty for me. I go to Mammoth early season often, which is why I thought perhaps there might be a way around the rushing creek. I'm sure if I went now, things would be different. I'm going in August, so maybe I'll give it a try again. Was just there, a couple of weeks ago, but couldn't squeeze it in. Did Shadow, Ediza, Iceberg, Garnet Lakes one day (first three are among my favorite local Mammoth hikes; I always take people who can handle the mileage there), Minaret Lakes another, and Crystal Lake (went almost as high as the crest) the last. 40 mile day trippin long weekend. It was tons of fun and a BEAUTIFUL weekend. Going to do Dorothy with my daughter in August, I think. Thanks again!