June 21-26, 2024 (6 days, 25.6 miles)
Day1. 6/21: Ruby Lake plus drive
(1.9 miles, 2 hours, 950 feet elevation gain, 140 feet loss)
I left town at 7:30, drove, picked up my permit and lucked out getting the last parking spot at the trailhead. The trail was crowded with day-hikers. I left my car at 2PM taking it slow since I was at sea level in the morning. I reached Ruby Lake a bit before 4PM and hopped rocks below the outlet to camp on a bench above. It was peaceful with all the day-hikers on the other side. A small snowmelt stream provided an easy water source. I did not even treat the water. I lacked energy to fish so just poked around. It was a perfectly blue sky day, but a bit hot for comfortable hiking. There were just a few baby mosquitoes.
- Ruby Lake Camp
Day2. 6/22: Pioneer Basin Lake 10825
(5.9 miles, 6.8 hours, 1970 feet elevation gain/ 2020 feet loss)
Being the first backpack of the year, I was quite disorganized and tired from sleeping poorly. I awoke at 5AM and checked the nearby snowbank which was rock hard and observed thin ice on the little snowmelt stream. A small trail dropped down to the lake shore where I took some photos. Then I packed up and left, again hopping across the stream. Although you can short-cut to the Mono Pass Trail, it is not worth the effort since it is only a quarter mile back to the junction. As I was slogging up the coarse sandy trail a trail-runner passed, in bare feet! Another fellow passed me. Thankfully, the exposed part of the trail was snow-free. Shortly the snow started. The slope was not as steep and there was a good runout, so the micro-spikes were really not needed, but added stability to each step. Being in the shadows the snow was still hard.
Once on Mono Pass, I followed a higher trail to avoid snow, which turned out to be a mistake. I ended up having to drop down the snow anyway. At Summit Lake, three hikers were actually swimming in the icy lake! A large snowbank blocked the trail at one point and I took an alternate use-trail, reconnecting to the main trail above Trail Lake. The trail is in good shape down to the crossing of the creek from Golden Lake. I waded in the calf-deep water but the couple behind me hopped across on a wet stump and rock. I would rather take an extra 15 minutes than chance falling into the stream. As the young couple sped down the trail I slogged behind. I left the trail early and traversed cross-country to reconnect with the horse trail.
By this time I was getting exhausted and the sun was getting beastly hot. I met two fellows with dogs at the outlet crossing of the lowest Pioneer Basin Lake. I waded again and ate a snack. In retrospect I probably should have camped there, but continued the steep trail to the lake at 10825 where there are several nice campsites but less scenic than the lower lake. I crossed the tiny outlet and set up under some trees at 3PM. I was the only one at this lake.
It took forever to set up, gather water, and take a bath. I had no energy to fish although I saw plenty in the lake. After dinner a few mosquitoes came out, enough that I decided to lay down in the tent at 7:30 PM. I have been plagued with some serious sciatica over the winter and have only been able to walk more than a few miles on the flat. I was pleased that I could do the elevation gains, but had sharp pains down my leg at the end of the day. I did a few exercises that my physical therapist recommended. It took a couple of hours before the aches subsided. It was amazingly warm at night, hardly needing a sleeping bag. The moon was still pretty bright so I pulled my fleece hat over my eyes.
- Sunrise at Ruby Lake
- Ruby Lake in the morning
- Lake 10825
- Lake 10825
- Meadow south of Lake 10825
