Diehard fishing folks plan a trip knowing that there is a high probability of total skunkage. Really? In planning this trip I set out options for Judy who passed on several sure shot options (even though Dawn and Judy were trying to undo a 0 for 2020 skunk) "We've been there so many times" for a hike out of what is probably the least popular trailhead for Desolation Wilderness (Van Vleck).
- Dawn and Judy at the Van Vleck trailhead; first time Judy has done two backpacking trips since 2001.
The biggest attraction was the view from a special campsite high above Top Lake where the westward view across the Central Valley is the best I've ever seen (from a lake instead of a summit) including amazing nighttime views of city lights. Wildfire smoke greatly diminished this view, but it was still a quality trip. The hike in was hot and windless, but the wildflowers were very nice, especially the lilies.
- The hike from Van Vleck encountered some of the best growths of lilies I've seen.
Our first camp at Lawrence Lake suffered from some mosquito harassment
- Our first night camp at Lawrence was peaceful except for the whine of mosquitoes.
but the second day was more or less a layover day as we made a short off trail move up to the magic campsite above Top Lake where it was cooler, breezier, and nearly bug free.
- Lawrence Lake seen from hike up to Top Lake
The pace of the trip allowed for lots of relaxation around Top Lake.
- Top Lake was a soothing place
- Our preferred snack place in the shade near camp overlooking Top Lake.
- One of the many nice places to enjoy the view from near our campsite.
- Evening view across Top Lake
What was really surprising was how few folks we saw and how quiet it was. We saw two groups hiking out (two guys and then one family group) fairly close to the trailhead and did not see anyone until our third day (Saturday) when we ran into a number of folks headed for Lake No. 3 (closest of the lakes in this area to the Van Vleck trailhead). Barrett Lake (near Lawrence L) is reached by a jeep trail and in previous visits to this area (1998 and 2005) I remember hearing the sound of the vehicles, clanking of doors and other things. On the second day before hiking up to Top Lake we visited Barrett Lake and found no one there. Moreover, unlike other places we'd visited that are reached by jeep trail, there was zero litter or refuse around. It was really amazing to find west Desolation and environs so empty. It actually felt like...wilderness. Whereas our nightime view of city lights only ran from about Stockton to Sacramento to (not sure what the city/town N of Sac we saw was), far short of the much wider ranging nightview I saw in 2005, the upper sky was clear and the comet was clearly visible. Fishing? Near total skunkage as predicted. Dawn and Judy continued their 0 for 2020 (Dawn would undo that in a few days). I caught four big brookies.
- Fishing results were generally poor with the exception of a few fat brookies.
One was consumed as part of one of our multi course camp meals, three were taken home for Lee to cook up on Saturday night for a huge back-in-town feast. All in all, it was a fun trip and the first time Judy had been on two backpacking trips since before we had kids (2001 was the year). Dawn and I would have two days rest before the "main event" and the hike was rigorous enough to provide a good warm up
