R02/R03 Koip Peak, September 2024

[tomba]

In late September last year, I made a short trip out of the Mono/Parker Pass trailhead.

After starting in the late afternoon, I arrived at Sardine Lakes in the dark. I saw many rabbits near the pass.

Sardine Lakes in the morning:

I went over the ridge to Parker Pass, then up to Koip Peak Pass and Koip Peak.

Alger Lakes from near Koip Peak. In the distance: center: Minarets, Ritter, and Banner; right: Rodgers Peak and Mt. Lyell with its glacier:

I crossed Koip Crest. It’s not a good way.

The next day, I made my way north toward Kuna Crest Saddle.

A round lake west of Kuna Peak:

Tadpoles:

I saw a family of ptarmigans. Two parents and several slightly smaller, grown-up chicks. Molting to white feathers.

[tomba]

I crossed northwest of Kuna Crest Saddle, aiming for a series of lakes west of Parker Pass Creek.

Camping is not allowed in this watershed.

A creek, marked on the map as a tiny lake west of Spillway Lake. Mt. Gibbs on the left:

Bingman Lake. Mt. Dana on the right:

Bingman Lake outlet, with Kuna Crest in the background:

Kuna Lake. Left: Kuna Crest; center: Mammoth Peak; right: Mt. Dana and Mt. Gibbs:

Ponds on the creek flowing out of Kuna Lake:

I got back to the trail in the dark.

[Wandering Daisy]

Beautiful photos! I have done the Kuna Crest years ago and it is a wonderful ridge-run. Also down to Alger Lakes.

That first ptarmigan with head tilted looks like he/she is about to give you a lecture or scolding!

Did you need high clearance to reach the trailhead? I never thought of going in that way. I have previously gone in from Tioga Road.

[tomba]

Thank you.

I meant the Mono/Parker Pass trailhead on Tioga Road.

[Harlen]

Now we really want to get in there. With our dogs, we would need to enter via Rush Creek, then to Alger and up onto the ridge. I would love to be right where you took that fantastic image: "Alger Lakes from near Koip Peak." You had all the luck with the weather Tomas, just brilliant light! Our other favorite of the many fine images has to be "Pond flowing out of Kuna Lake." I hope you have these photos all over your walls.
Kudos man! Ian and Lizzie.

p.s. What was that Koip crossing like?

[maverick]

Yes, I agree with Harlen on his comments about both those shots. The right amount of cloud cover, without any rain, gave you some really pretty lighting conditions.

[LMBSGV]

The photos are wonderful as well as, along with the text, quite informative about an area I've long thought about going to. Thank you!

[tomba]

Thank you all.

A light dusting of snow also improves the photo of Alger Lakes. Lucky timing.

@LMBSGV: I may go to some of the areas you visited recently, while my ankle recovers.

[Gazelle]

plan on heading to alger lakes out of rush creek end of june 30th, or july 8th. With the dog and some friends for some peaks. Want to join Harlen?