Humphreys Basin TR - 9/10/10 - 9/13/10
Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:16 am
Just returned from my first ever solo backpack trip. Many thanks to those who post here regularly, as you all have provided a ton of useful information and inspiration. I intend to contribute to this board where I can.
On the morning of Friday 9/10 drove from Anaheim to Bishop, obtained permit for Piute Pass Trailhead, and then parked at North Lake parking area. Hit the trail at 1PM, and struggled with lack of acclimitization for the fist couple hours. Camped just below Piute Lake outlet, and went to bed early. Awoke on Saturday 9/11 to the sun lighting the peaks on the south side of the canyon, with frost on my sleeping bag, and some ice forming in my water bladders. After packing my gear, fished the large pond below the outlet, and caught one small golden trout (~6 inches) using a mosquito fly (the only fish to be caught using a fly). Hit the trail at 11AM, and was at Piute Pass just before noon. By 2:30PM, I was at the outlet of Upper Desolation Lake, where I fished (without success) in the breezy/windy conditions for about 45 minutes. Set off across the outlet at 3:30PM, and was settling into a camp spot on the north shore of Mesa Lake just after 4PM. Southwest winds really seemed to bring smoke from fire in SEKI, making for hazy skies and smoky smell. After a cold and restless night, awoke on Sunday 9/12, and started fishing in the morning calm. Saw a few fish rising, but none would take the flies offered. Put away the fly rod, then set up my spinning rod with a silver Kastmaster. Got bit once, but nothing else. Noticed a pair of fisherman who were camped along the western shore - one of them was working his way around the lake in my direction. As he came near, we exchanged pleasantries. He looked familiar, and so I asked if he posted on High Sierra Topics - indeed, it was Russ (rlown), he said his beard must have given him away. We talked for a bit, then he continued around to the east shore, while I kept fishing the north shore. Russ passed by again on his way back to camp, and said he was heading over Puppet Pass to camp at Star Lake (and others). I then made my breakfast. At about 11AM, I went back to the lake shore, just in time to see Russ and his buddy cresting the ridge on their way to Puppet Pass.
To be continued.
On the morning of Friday 9/10 drove from Anaheim to Bishop, obtained permit for Piute Pass Trailhead, and then parked at North Lake parking area. Hit the trail at 1PM, and struggled with lack of acclimitization for the fist couple hours. Camped just below Piute Lake outlet, and went to bed early. Awoke on Saturday 9/11 to the sun lighting the peaks on the south side of the canyon, with frost on my sleeping bag, and some ice forming in my water bladders. After packing my gear, fished the large pond below the outlet, and caught one small golden trout (~6 inches) using a mosquito fly (the only fish to be caught using a fly). Hit the trail at 11AM, and was at Piute Pass just before noon. By 2:30PM, I was at the outlet of Upper Desolation Lake, where I fished (without success) in the breezy/windy conditions for about 45 minutes. Set off across the outlet at 3:30PM, and was settling into a camp spot on the north shore of Mesa Lake just after 4PM. Southwest winds really seemed to bring smoke from fire in SEKI, making for hazy skies and smoky smell. After a cold and restless night, awoke on Sunday 9/12, and started fishing in the morning calm. Saw a few fish rising, but none would take the flies offered. Put away the fly rod, then set up my spinning rod with a silver Kastmaster. Got bit once, but nothing else. Noticed a pair of fisherman who were camped along the western shore - one of them was working his way around the lake in my direction. As he came near, we exchanged pleasantries. He looked familiar, and so I asked if he posted on High Sierra Topics - indeed, it was Russ (rlown), he said his beard must have given him away. We talked for a bit, then he continued around to the east shore, while I kept fishing the north shore. Russ passed by again on his way back to camp, and said he was heading over Puppet Pass to camp at Star Lake (and others). I then made my breakfast. At about 11AM, I went back to the lake shore, just in time to see Russ and his buddy cresting the ridge on their way to Puppet Pass.
To be continued.