Dates: June 27 to July 3
Started from Leavitt Meadow and headed up the West Walker River. On the way in, we saw the typical large crowds around Roosevelt & Lane Lakes. After that, we did not see or hear anyone else until the last day when we passed by Lane Lake again on the way out. Mosquitoes were surprisingly minimal until upper Piute Meadow. From then on, they were heavy to swarming until we got back upper Piute Meadow a few days later.
Did not follow the "standard" route into Stubblefield from Rainbow Canyon as there was still significant snow on the NW face of Ehrnbeck Peak. Rather than breaking off from the tarns and traversing Ehrnbeck, we left Rainbow Canyon well below the falls and angled SE up toward the saddle. Saddle itself is mostly snow free.
Lake in upper Stubblefield is still partially frozen. Upper part of canyon is still muddy from snow melt.
Did not follow Stubblefield all the way to the PCT as we generally avoid trails when possible, especially the JMT and PCT. Rather, we left the canyon where a small stream flows down the west wall starting at about the 8000 foot level. Followed it approx. 1500 feet up to a saddle above Tilden Lake between peaks 9914 and 10136. First 600 feet is relatively steep with some class 3 scrambling. There is a very nice waterfall and pool at approx. 8600'. The saddle itself is quite scenic with great views and several small ponds, so we took the opportunity to camp there
The next morning, we traversed down to the north end of Tilden Lake and headed up to Mary Lake. Traverse down is easy walking.The snowfield on the north side of Mary-Tower pass is still quite large, which made dropping to Tower Lake fairly easy as we did not have to do any boulder hopping! Tower is fully thawed and snow free. However, there are snow fields covering the trail immediately below Tower.
All in all, a very enjoyable and scenic lollipop loop, especially once you reach upper Piute Meadow, approx. 12 miles from Leavitt.
Near Rainbow Canyon
Mary Lake
