This past weekend I traveled to the 20 Lakes Basin, which is behind Saddlebag Lake, with the intent of scouting around for photo possibilites. Although on its face I faced a number of difficulties, I heartily recommend the area, and will return in the not-to-distant future.
I left Southern California on Thursday afternoon, May 31, with Shamrock Lake and environs, as my ultimate destination. My immediate destination that day was French Camp, a campsite on the Tom's Place exit of Highway 395 (Rock Creek Lakes Road). I arrived in the early evening, immediately set up my tent, and spent the night with a planned early morning departure.
Early the next morning (around 5:30 a.m.) I packed up my tent and sleeping bag, and traveled up the road to Convict Lake to take a look at what things looked like in the early morning. Unfortunately the angle of the sun was such that I wasn't satisfied with the possible image, and continued up the road to Lee Vining for breakfast. Following breakfast I want to the Mono Basin Visitor Center (ranger station) in order to obtain a wilderness permit for my stay above Saddlebag Lake.
I learned at the ranger station that the road to Saddlebag Lake was closed, which meant that I had to basically hike from Tioga Road (Highway 120) to Saddlebag Lake. That particular hike was about 2 miles with a slight continual grade up (about 500 - 600 feet)to Saddlebag Lake. Frankly I was a little tired upon my arrival at Saddlebag Lake, having hiked up with a full pack of large format gear, as well as camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, food, water, etc.).
I then made a significant mistake, choosing to walk around the partially frozen Saddlebag Lake on the left side, as opposed to the right. The left side of the lake is the side I read to take, and there was a clear path, at least at the beginning of the trail. I didn't initially know at the start of the trail, but later learned, that there were areas of snow which I had to walk through. The areas of snow became increasing prevalent, and more importantly, the footing was treacherous not only from sliding, but also as a result of my weight pushing through a foot or more of snow to the rocks beneath. The result of the choice I made is that it took hours to get to the back of Saddlebag Lake, and upon my arrival, I was really tired.
I also realized at the time I reached the back of the Lake that the smaller lakes I was most interested in were likely to be covered with ice. In addition, as I began scouting the area it became apparent that to get to the areas I was most interested, I would again have to traverse across more snow covered area with the dangerous walking conditions. After walking around for a couple of hours, I decided that the conditions were such that the exploration for possible images was not worth the risk of injury. I then prepared dinner, and then located a spot to set up my tent.
The following morning, I decided to return back to my car, to explore other parts of upper Yosemite. Under different conditions the 20 Lakes Basin would/will be a great place to return. The ability to drive to and park at the lake (and even take a water taxi to the far side of the lake), and then walk around the right side of the lake would put me at the trailhead of the 20 Lakes Basin. Other hikers I came across on the way back around the lake described how it was likely that the flowers would be in full bloom in another month. The only concern, of course, will be mosquitos and the fact that there is comparitively so little snow this year.
Thus, I have already planned a similar trip on July 4 -6, to what appears to be a place with great possibilites for making images.
I should also note that I was simply appalled by the air quality in the lower portions of Yosemite. At Tenaya Lake there was discernible haze. From Olmsted Point, the haze looking at Half Dome reminded me of Southern California on a real bad day. Hopefully the conditions I found were seasonal, and will not be nearly as bad upon my return in a month.
In summary, I believe that the 20 Lakes Basin has significant photographic possibilties. I will return on July 5 to explore all that it has to offer.
Thanks for the nice writeup. Despite the road blockage and the harsh conditions near the lake, it seems like you had a great adventure. That is what I have always enjoyed about these outings.
You should bring a small digital camera too and post photos with the writeup... Unless you pulled your camera out and did find worthy shots while struggling for directions?
As for the lower part, yeah too many campfires. When going up yosemeite falls trail to lost arrow, we could tell when the air got better. It seems to clear out somewhat as the day progresses, but next dinner bingo, back in the smog. They should ban wood fires at some point there or put a big fee on them.
I also hate certain commercial activities in the valley as well. Yosemite valley was mismanaged by the Sate of California, before it was handed over to National Park Service.
That Basin is a beautiful place, ripe with image-making opportunities. As you found out, the road to Saddlebag opens later than Tioga Pass (as does the road to May Lake). I've not done much serious photographing in the basin, but I've spent a fair deal of time in there climbing. Considering the low snow winter, my bet is that mosquitoes will be easy to deal with this summer (coming from someone who doesn't get bitten much [garlic? ] nor feels the bite/suffers welts).
Without checking websites, it's likely that controlled burns may have been occuring, giving the appearance of L.A. smog. Moreover, it's not uncommon for Central Valley funk to climb eastward into the Sierra.
I hope things have been going well for you!
Posted by Lon Overacker on June 10, 2007 at 12:06 AM
Rick,
Really enjoyed reading your trip notes, trials and tribulations. I also would like to see any shots you may have taken along the way. Please feel free to post some.
I'm very interested to hear more about this and if you will be definately going back in July. I think I'll post a new thread because I am interesting in backpacking there this summer.
Sierra Crest areas at such elevations normally are not too photogenic until snow recedes, lakes thaw, the landscapes green up, and wildflowers add a bit of color. For that area during an average year, early August is about optimal. However 20 Lakes basin is also a worthy destination late summer :
Discussion
7 repliesI left Southern California on Thursday afternoon, May 31, with Shamrock Lake and environs, as my ultimate destination. My immediate destination that day was French Camp, a campsite on the Tom's Place exit of Highway 395 (Rock Creek Lakes Road). I arrived in the early evening, immediately set up my tent, and spent the night with a planned early morning departure.
Early the next morning (around 5:30 a.m.) I packed up my tent and sleeping bag, and traveled up the road to Convict Lake to take a look at what things looked like in the early morning. Unfortunately the angle of the sun was such that I wasn't satisfied with the possible image, and continued up the road to Lee Vining for breakfast. Following breakfast I want to the Mono Basin Visitor Center (ranger station) in order to obtain a wilderness permit for my stay above Saddlebag Lake.
I learned at the ranger station that the road to Saddlebag Lake was closed, which meant that I had to basically hike from Tioga Road (Highway 120) to Saddlebag Lake. That particular hike was about 2 miles with a slight continual grade up (about 500 - 600 feet)to Saddlebag Lake. Frankly I was a little tired upon my arrival at Saddlebag Lake, having hiked up with a full pack of large format gear, as well as camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, food, water, etc.).
I then made a significant mistake, choosing to walk around the partially frozen Saddlebag Lake on the left side, as opposed to the right. The left side of the lake is the side I read to take, and there was a clear path, at least at the beginning of the trail. I didn't initially know at the start of the trail, but later learned, that there were areas of snow which I had to walk through. The areas of snow became increasing prevalent, and more importantly, the footing was treacherous not only from sliding, but also as a result of my weight pushing through a foot or more of snow to the rocks beneath. The result of the choice I made is that it took hours to get to the back of Saddlebag Lake, and upon my arrival, I was really tired.
I also realized at the time I reached the back of the Lake that the smaller lakes I was most interested in were likely to be covered with ice. In addition, as I began scouting the area it became apparent that to get to the areas I was most interested, I would again have to traverse across more snow covered area with the dangerous walking conditions. After walking around for a couple of hours, I decided that the conditions were such that the exploration for possible images was not worth the risk of injury. I then prepared dinner, and then located a spot to set up my tent.
The following morning, I decided to return back to my car, to explore other parts of upper Yosemite. Under different conditions the 20 Lakes Basin would/will be a great place to return. The ability to drive to and park at the lake (and even take a water taxi to the far side of the lake), and then walk around the right side of the lake would put me at the trailhead of the 20 Lakes Basin. Other hikers I came across on the way back around the lake described how it was likely that the flowers would be in full bloom in another month. The only concern, of course, will be mosquitos and the fact that there is comparitively so little snow this year.
Thus, I have already planned a similar trip on July 4 -6, to what appears to be a place with great possibilites for making images.
I should also note that I was simply appalled by the air quality in the lower portions of Yosemite. At Tenaya Lake there was discernible haze. From Olmsted Point, the haze looking at Half Dome reminded me of Southern California on a real bad day. Hopefully the conditions I found were seasonal, and will not be nearly as bad upon my return in a month.
In summary, I believe that the 20 Lakes Basin has significant photographic possibilties. I will return on July 5 to explore all that it has to offer.
Rick Russell
Thanks for the nice writeup. Despite the road blockage and the harsh conditions near the lake, it seems like you had a great adventure. That is what I have always enjoyed about these outings.
Will you be sharing any photos from your trip.
Thanks for sharing. I hope it will benefit many member of this forum including myself.
As for the lower part, yeah too many campfires. When going up yosemeite falls trail to lost arrow, we could tell when the air got better. It seems to clear out somewhat as the day progresses, but next dinner bingo, back in the smog. They should ban wood fires at some point there or put a big fee on them.
I agree with you. 100%.
I also hate certain commercial activities in the valley as well. Yosemite valley was mismanaged by the Sate of California, before it was handed over to National Park Service.
That Basin is a beautiful place, ripe with image-making opportunities. As you found out, the road to Saddlebag opens later than Tioga Pass (as does the road to May Lake). I've not done much serious photographing in the basin, but I've spent a fair deal of time in there climbing. Considering the low snow winter, my bet is that mosquitoes will be easy to deal with this summer (coming from someone who doesn't get bitten much [garlic?
Without checking websites, it's likely that controlled burns may have been occuring, giving the appearance of L.A. smog. Moreover, it's not uncommon for Central Valley funk to climb eastward into the Sierra.
I hope things have been going well for you!
Really enjoyed reading your trip notes, trials and tribulations. I also would like to see any shots you may have taken along the way. Please feel free to post some.
I'm very interested to hear more about this and if you will be definately going back in July. I think I'll post a new thread because I am interesting in backpacking there this summer.
Thanks for posting,
Lon
http://www.davidsenesac.com/images/print_06-gg9-3.html
...David