R03 TR: Minarets 6/9-14 2021

[Wandering Daisy]

tomba- they are not guy wires- the notch as two attachment points (one from the top trekking pole support and one at the end of the vestibule) each side which you can put on one stake. I prefer to put each in its own stake, as backup and so I can fine-tune the tent set up. I also backup the end stakes. If any of the four key stakes, ends, sides, were to pull the tent would fall down. The mid-side stakes are optional- I just like tightly set up tent- less noisy in the wind. The 4-stake only setup is fine if the ground is perfect for pounding in stakes. I rarely find this condition.

The last time I was in the Ediza Lake area was 2010 on the Sierra High Route, which as received considerably more use. The use-trails around Ediza Lake are like a rat's maze. Comparing this area to my last two trip in Yosemite, the better health of the trees struck me. Higher altitude and different species, but few dead trees- not sure why. It looked like they have done a few prescribed burns along the JMT. The High Trail (PCT) is efficient, but the JMT is much more scenic.

I have had better fishing in the fall at Garnet Lake. I saw fish in Thousand Island Lake but did not stop there. Shadow Creek between Ediza and Shadow Lake looks like it would have some nice stream fishing; does it have fish? Supposed to be rainbow trout in Rosalie. In less windy conditions I may have been able to catch something. I was surprised that being on the JMT and with all the established campsites, I was the only person there.

I too like the B&W reflection photo at Garnet Lake; here is the color version. (my photo processing of it may not be the best- I have trouble with sunrise color photos )

Garnet Lake sunrise

[cgundersen]

Hi Daisy,
Yes, sumptuous photos of a spectacular area. It's depressing to read of the myriad folk behaving badly in the wilderness. At least you were not confronted with idiots flying drones....those reports drive me to distraction! It was probably still early, but the flower blooms along the High trail have been some of the best I've seen in the Sierra: another reason to visit that area! Cameron

[grampy]

… Comparing this area to my last two trip in Yosemite, the better health of the trees struck me. Higher altitude and different species, but few dead trees- not sure why …

The difference is possibly due to air pollution (particularly ozone) creeping up the western slope from the San Joaquin Valley - which has been long known for its poor air quality. The effect is described in this article
https://laist.com/news/wildfires-califo ... ozone-dead
… written for mountains in So Cal, but about a similar problem.

Thank you for your (as always) wonderful report. I absolutely need to visit that area !

[LMBSGV]

This was a fun to read trip report and the photos are beautiful. Since I’ve camped at most of the same lakes as you did, it was so interesting to see how different they looked with this year’s bizarre circumstances due to two consecutive low snow years. I think my wife, son, and I camped at the same spot on Garnet in 2001. Your route was creative and interesting to follow. I will come back to this trip report when I (hopefully) get to return to the Garnet-Thousand Island area one more time next year.

[Shawn]

I really enjoyed your TR, WD. Those are are certainly some of my favorite places and your photos really does them justice. I particularly appreciate the photo of Shadow Creek as I find it quite mesmerizing while hiking along side it and usually find a spot near it for a break.

[KathyW]

Beautiful photos and a wonderfully detailed report. I also take a long time figuring out where to camp when I reach my destination for the night.

[BSquared]

Some of the best photos I've ever seen of one of my very favorite (and first-discovered, in about 1966, I think) places in the Sierra. Thank you!!

[Harlen]

Fantastic trip with really nice photos! My favorites are those from Nydiver Lake. Sorry you had to encounter the knuckleheads here and there. Were campfires allowed anywhere at this time? Thanks for the really fine write-up of your trip.

Ian

[SSSdave]

Thanks for your well done trip report. Dodging unusual weather like that June snow in the range will be difficult this year given policies. Mosquitoes won't be as easily killed by colds spells once ground temperatures have warmed up enough in forested areas where they can hide down in insulating vegetation. I've camped near that same area of Garnet. There is an old well used packer horse trail into that spot that starts near Emerald Lake visible on Google Earth.

As long as the backcountry doesn't have enforcement along with some pain for rule breakers, given attitudes in this era and new people discovering these mountain worlds, increasing numbers of backcountry users will ignore policy, especially those that might otherwise not as they see some break policy without consequence as though no one cares. We especially need enforcement on the PCT/JMT where all the new enthusiasts are developing behavior before it gets out of hand and that could be funded by those using those trails.

CDEC precipitation data for this rainy season shows rainfall falls off south of Mammoth and Mammoth itself received less below average than areas a bit north of it. That shows in your images of the Ritter Range that still has a fair amount of melting snow, much different than some crest areas just south. Early season heathers will be out now, unusually early and I'd estimate Ritter Range mid summer wildflowers might peak the second to third week of July and Pierson's paintbrushes maybe the fourth, generally unsynchronized like most of the range.

[Love the Sierra]

Great trip report, thank you.
Those lakes are so very photogenic in the sunrises and sunsets! One of my favorite spots!