High Sierra Topix

We'll be there this Sunday, leaving on Monday, essentially to try out a new backpack for my wife and see how she does with shorter, non-intensive hikes at altitude.

That said, never having been there myself, and having gone all over Flickr, 500px and the like, can anyone who's been there recommend which of the lakes offers the most photographic potential? Most decent shots I've seen tend to be of Matlock, but then most shots overall seem to be of Matlock. Maybe that should be telling me something?

Anyhow, once there, we'll scramble all over the place, including the unnamed ones, but it would be nice to know, in advance, of where our time would be better spent.

Thanks!

T3

T3,
Yep, I think Matlock is your best bet. However, sans pack, it's not a bad jaunt to the Kearsarge (pass) ridge and the long-range views from there can be sublime.....if the smoke from the fire south of Mammoth does not impinge.\
cg

cgundersen wrote:T3,
Yep, I think Matlock is your best bet. However, sans pack, it's not a bad jaunt to the Kearsarge (pass) ridge and the long-range views from there can be sublime.....if the smoke from the fire south of Mammoth does not impinge.\
cg

Thanks! I just stumbled upon some shots of the one right above it, Bench Lake, and it looks like there could be great payoff for simply hiking up another 300' or so.

Yep, I think Matlock is your best bet.

May consider taking her to Little Lakes Valley too.

maverick wrote:

Yep, I think Matlock is your best bet.

May consider taking her to Little Lakes Valley too.

That's on the list, too, as a big bang-for-the-buck option.

My choices are the South Lake/Sabrina Lake basins, but we'll get to those, along with Humphreys, by the end of Fall.

tanngrisnir3 wrote:We'll be there this Sunday, leaving on Monday, essentially to try out a new backpack for my wife and see how she does with shorter, non-intensive hikes at altitude.

That said, never having been there myself, and having gone all over Flickr, 500px and the like, can anyone who's been there recommend which of the lakes offers the most photographic potential? Most decent shots I've seen tend to be of Matlock, but then most shots overall seem to be of Matlock. Maybe that should be telling me something?

Anyhow, once there, we'll scramble all over the place, including the unnamed ones, but it would be nice to know, in advance, of where our time would be better spent.

Thanks!

T3

I agree Matlock.

I really like the view from Kearsarge Pass but that's a 10 mile round trip. I had knee replacement surgery 4.5 months ago and chose the hike to Matlock to test out the new knee. I was there 2 weekends ago and on this side of the pass I think Matlock is the most scenic that can be reached by trail. It's an easy day hike and not many people go to Matlock. The Kearsarge Pass trail will be very crowded but not the side trail to Matlock. You will also get to enjoy the amazing Foxtail pines on this hike. They only grow here. Made a couple of videos of my trip up there if you want a little preview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdJQ5BZ_40k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4on89Qd8DNY

I want to put in a good word about Bench Lake. There are a few smaller lakes around it that were fantastic for swimming, and it is very scenic. Perfect JMT zero day experience.

CAMERONM wrote:I want to put in a good word about Bench Lake. There are a few smaller lakes around it that were fantastic for swimming, and it is very scenic. Perfect JMT zero day experience.

john-muir-trail-kristene.jpg

Oh, yeah, I'll definitely be making the 300' or so scramble up to Bench. Found some pretty good pics of it online here: http://inyoportal.blogspot.com/2013/06/ ... -peak.html and that piques my curiosity as a photographer.

I just hope I don't lose too much blood volume from the mosquitoes.

apeman45 wrote:I really like the view from Kearsarge Pass but that's a 10 mile round trip. I had knee replacement surgery 4.5 months ago and chose the hike to Matlock to test out the new knee. I was there 2 weekends ago and on this side of the pass I think Matlock is the most scenic that can be reached by trail. It's an easy day hike and not many people go to Matlock. The Kearsarge Pass trail will be very crowded but not the side trail to Matlock. You will also get to enjoy the amazing Foxtail pines on this hike. They only grow here. Made a couple of videos of my trip up there if you want a little preview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdJQ5BZ_40k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4on89Qd8DNY

Checking them out now. Thanks!