Bloody from the saddle
There was no use trail visible, but one appeared when I got a few hundred feet up. The ridge was composed of small red and gray talus. It was very loose on the first slope, but got more stable higher up. There were many bumps to traverse and two major false summits. The ridge seemed to go on forever. Most of the hike was steep class 1, but there were two places I'd rate class 2. After sufficient grunting, I finally reached the summit and made sure there wasn't a higher point ahead before letting myself relax. I found two registers in a metal cylinder. Both were full. I found no marks of any kind. Views all along the ridge were extraordinary. To the east, the high lakes of Genevieve, Edith, and Dorothy made a splash. Mt. Morrison and White Fang rose up behind them. To the north, Mt. Dana and Gibbs were visible in Yosemite. Mammoth Mountain looked like small potatoes. After photos, I stretched out my quads, feeling some soreness from the previous day. Then, I plopped down in the sun to enjoy the moment.
Lost World Peak below, Mammoth to the north, Yosemite further north
Looking back at Laurel Mountain
I started down the ridge, going over the bumps in reverse. When I got to the final slope, I wasn't paying attention. I looked down and saw a trail below and proceeded to ski down the talus. I got a few hundred feet down when I realized I couldn't see Laurel Mountain. I realized I was descending the wrong side of the ridge. I didn't want to scramble back up the loose talus, and cliffs prevented me from taking a side hill route to the correct side of the ridge. I decided to continue down and look for a way back to the Bloody-Laurel saddle. As soon as the cliffs gave out, I found a gully I could safely descend. Across the rocky basin below, I saw a trail that connected back to the saddle. I made good time across the basin and grabbed the trail, cruising the switchbacks up. The diversion cost me about 20 minutes and a bruised ego. I continued down the trail and stopped about 20' above the trailhead to reapply sunscreen. While I was sitting there, a dude driving a 4-wheeler motored up to the trailhead, got off his ride, and started peeing next to a tree. I thought about announcing my presence, but it would only have created an awkward scene. Instead, I sat there while he finished his business, got back on the 4-wheeler and continued up the road, never knowing I was there. I was glad to get back to the truck and off Laurel Lakes Road.
Dropped down this slope to a basin
Back on trail heading toward the Bloody-Laurel saddle
Laurel Mountain
