R09 TR: Desolation Wilderness (Rockbound Lake) 7/4/23 to 7/7/23

[janky]

Trip Report (Desolation Wilderness): Loon Lake TH to Rockbound Lake (7/4 to 7/7)

We had 3 kids with us (15, 15 and 12) and 4 adults. The 6.7 mile hike from Loon Lake Trailhead to Rockbound Lake on July 4th was straight forward. There's a few trees on the trail and some minor streams but it was all super easy and passable. We didn't see many folks camping (only two other sites that we ran into on Day 2 and Day 3 and we had to walk awhile to see them). Hiking out on Friday 7/7 we saw a bunch of folks coming up the trail including two park rangers that stopped us to see our permits, FYI.

Other quick information:

Mosquitos: D+ (they were really bad but not swarming; you couldn't avoid using Deet from 4pm onward and they even got you in the middle of the night if you snuck out to relieve yourself, annoying; during the day away from the trees they were nonexistent, thankfully)

Weather: Sunny and high around 72-75º every day with lows around 51º, perfect

Water Crossing (1/2 mile past Rockbound Lake): As others have mentioned, there's a water crossing between Rockbound Lake and Rubicon Reservoir. But there's two big logs you can balance on to cross. The water isn't deep either so you could take off shoes and cross just fine with a pack.

Animals: No bears or signs of them but we were strict with bear canisters; we did see a huge Marmot, biggest I've ever seen as well as two otters in Rockbound Lake as well as the usual squirrels and birds (checking out our campsite)

Swimming: The water in Rockbound was COLD. But it was just warm enough for a quick dip. The water in Rubicon Reservoir is even colder.

Fishing: Fishing was tough but we managed to catch some on fly rods; the Rainbows we did catch were big though, all over 10".

[giantbrookie]

Thanks for the report. That "Deso NW" area one one of the earliest to thaw in the Sierra. Did you take any casts into Buck Island Lake?

[Harlen]

Congratulations on your nice trip, and fish. We didn't expect to see such well-thawed landscape yet. Thanks for enlightening us.