Posted by Anil Rao on September 10, 2013 at 3:07 AM
Lake Sabrina / Sep 2013 / iPhone 4S
I just returned from a quick dash to the east side over the weekend. It was very hot in Bishop but pleasant above 9000 ft. The highlight of our trip was a long hike along the shore of Saddlebag Lake on Saturday afternoon. Later that evening we could see smoke (from the Rim Fire) beginning to spill over Tioga Pass. On Sunday, visiblity in the entire region was so bad that one could barely make out the Sierra and White Mountain ranges from the Owens Valley. The conditions were pretty much the same near the entrance to Hwy 108 from 395, so we decided to return via Monitor Pass / Lake Tahoe. Thankfully, it was clear there and we passed through some amazing country on that leg of the trip.
As noted in another thread, fall seems to be arriving early this year. The aspens are already starting to change color near Lake Sabrina, as well as the upper campgrounds around Rock Creek Lake. BTW, Lake Sabrina is quite a sight. Near the dam it is completely dry but there is water further out. Apparently the water level was dropped on account of some construction that is taking place on the dam and the fact that a lot of water has been diverted to the LA region.
I hope to be able to get back there in a few weeks to make some photos.
Posted by Harley Goldman on September 10, 2013 at 10:37 AM
It seems it will be an early year for fall color, despite the endless heat wave that gripped the Sierra almost the entire summer and still remains. Perhaps the early colors are due to the drought? Who know?
Thanks for the report and the photo of Sabrina. It is bizarre to see the lake that low.
Discussion
1 repliesI just returned from a quick dash to the east side over the weekend. It was very hot in Bishop but pleasant above 9000 ft. The highlight of our trip was a long hike along the shore of Saddlebag Lake on Saturday afternoon. Later that evening we could see smoke (from the Rim Fire) beginning to spill over Tioga Pass. On Sunday, visiblity in the entire region was so bad that one could barely make out the Sierra and White Mountain ranges from the Owens Valley. The conditions were pretty much the same near the entrance to Hwy 108 from 395, so we decided to return via Monitor Pass / Lake Tahoe. Thankfully, it was clear there and we passed through some amazing country on that leg of the trip.
As noted in another thread, fall seems to be arriving early this year. The aspens are already starting to change color near Lake Sabrina, as well as the upper campgrounds around Rock Creek Lake. BTW, Lake Sabrina is quite a sight. Near the dam it is completely dry but there is water further out. Apparently the water level was dropped on account of some construction that is taking place on the dam and the fact that a lot of water has been diverted to the LA region.
I hope to be able to get back there in a few weeks to make some photos.
Thanks for the report and the photo of Sabrina. It is bizarre to see the lake that low.