Southforkriver.net

May Lake Overnight - Sue & Allyn - July 2007

Introduction

Day 1

Day 2

Photo Album

Map

NG Topo Map

Day 1

We got up to the campground before noon and except for another family, we were the only ones there. That gave us a good chance pick a prime spot. If you ever plan on going there for an overnight trip, get to the campground early to get your spot. We set up camp and had some lunch taking in the views of the lake and mountains. The hike up the hill was a little tough in spots, mainly at the switchbacks as you climb a little over 500 feet in the mile and a half up the hill. But the views of the peaks to the east were tremendous. Cathedral Peak, Tenaya Peak, Mt. Clark, Clouds Rest and half Dome can be seen on the way up so make sure you stop and take in the views on this hike.

After lunch we took a walk north of the lake and got some good shots of the lake and the mountains to the east. We hiked about a mile out of the lake on the trail towards Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp (HSC) and stopped just about where the trail switchbacks down the canyon towards Raisin Lake and on the way to Polly Dome Lakes. Although the clouds were building in the distance we were fine where we were. The view in this areas was even better than the ones coming up the trail. I got some good panoramic shots of the Sierra crest and the peaks nearby. On the way back we strolled through some very nice small trail meadows and happened upon a Blue Grouse with her five or so chicks. First time I have ever seen a bird like that and it seemed content to feed while we made our way around the meadow. We also came upon a doer feeding besides the meadow and it seemed to startle Sue more than Sue startling the deer. She continued to feed while I took some pictures and hiked on. The meadows were full of wildflowers even though it has been a dry year. It was very pretty to see the little mountain trail meadows along the way.

We made it back to camp in time for cocktail hour! The camp had started to fill up by then and we had some neighbors nearby but not too close. Next to us was a group of kids with about five adults leading the way. It was funny to watch the teenagers and younger ones manage their packs and camp. They had come from a week long trip out of Ten Lakes basin and this was there last night. The food was going to all go that night. We even saw some of them come back from the HSC dining room with left over pastries from lunch. We also talked with our other neighbors who told us that if you wanted to eat at the camp and there was room, it was only $25 a head to eat dinner there. That's not a bad rate considering the view! However, we decided to eat our dinner that we brought up ourselves and rough it!

Dinner that night was a modification of a recipe we got from Freezer Bag Cooking. It was a black bean and rice with chicken burrito dinner. We also had a mocha chocolate cheesecake for dessert that does not require any cooking. The burritos were very filling and we had a problem finishing the whole dinner! After dinner we had a brandy and hot cider then hit the sack for dinner. This time it was easy to get to sleep and I only had to get up once during the night! The problem with a full campground is that relief stop early in the morning when it gets light out!