R03/R04 TR: Royce Lakes 6/20-6/22 2020

[sturdyoak2012]

Just came back from a beautiful trip to Royce Lakes via Pine Creek Pass with 4 friends of mine. We visited 3 of the 4 Royce Lakes, and they did not disappoint.

My trip report is on my website here.

I even made a short youtube video with some beautiful shots that I hope you will enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_BYyT4N2zA

[davidsheridan]

Looks beautiful. I really like that picture of Royce Lake before sunrise. Thanks for sharing!

[sturdyoak2012]

Thank you!

[Harlen]

Thanks Sturdy guy! I really enjoyed your film, especially from up around Royce Lakes. You created some truly stunning images of the scenery up there-- that reflection of Merriam Peak, and the sunrise, and, and ... Nice work! I think our favorite piece of film was the action shot of you or your friend dunking into the frigid lake!! I really wish you could've captured the soundtrack to it, we want to know exactly what was said??

sturdyoak:

After the rain stopped, Hagen and I took a short profanity-laced dip into the freezing water while the rest of them napped. Surprisingly, it felt really good afterwards.

Thanks a lot, and we can't wait for your next trip. Ian.

[Harlen]

Sturdyoak,

After reading your TR, I got caught up in everything from your impressive cv to your past adventures in the southern Sierra. Congratulations on your amazing trip from Sphinx Pass to Longley, East Creek and out. Now that I see that you are comfortable with the off-trail traveling, I wonder if you guys considered making a small circle by descending into Granite Park from Royce Lakes? Thanks again for the trip reports.

[sturdyoak2012]

Thanks very much for the comments! Leaving out the sound on that clip was definitely intentional, hahaha.

We did actually make a circle descending into Granite Park, though we hardly spent any time in that area since we were pretty tired and eager to go home.

[dougieb]

Hey, loved looking through your site. You guys definitely know how to have a good time. Keep up the adventures and the great trip reports! Love the Royce lakes area too. I did a similar trip but headed over to French Lakes afterward which were nice but windy at the time.

[windknot]

Thanks for an entertaining report! I'd never heard of the Coastline Paradox before -- but makes complete sense now that I think about it. Thanks for that tidbit, and for taking us along on the trip.

[mckee80]

Thanks for the report. It makes me re-think our decision last year to go to French Lake instead of heading up to Royce Lakes. Glad you enjoyed the trip!

[Harlen]

sturdyoak wrote:

We did actually make a circle descending into Granite Park, though we hardly spent any time in that area since we were pretty tired and eager to go home.

Did you go through the northern of the two saddles? This way, past a nice big lake?: