Mono Lake is worth a look in its own right.
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The gulls that feast on the insects barely sink into the mineral laden waters.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-qBKcxpK/0/L/DSC00552-1-2-L.jpg)
Several short trails offer views of the Panum Crater, a rhyolitic plug-dome volcano. One trail leads you up a long mound outside the main crater.
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Another trail takes you into the central dome, a riot of rocks.
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Our first objective in the Sierra was Morgan Pass. Rock Creek is your constant companion on this hike.
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The first of many lakes is Mack Lake,
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The trail continues to Marsh Lake.
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A chipmonk paused on a rock to have his picture made.
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Heart Lake has to be seen from above to reveal its true shape.
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Box Lake is, well, long and boxy I suppose.
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Here is the southern end of Long Lake.
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As you approach the Morgan Pass, spur trails can be hiked to see Chickenfoot Lake and the Gem Lakes. The Morgan Pass lies between two unnamed 12,000' foot peaks.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-rvGQjsx/0/XL/Pano0718_0723-XL.jpg)
The switchbacks up to the pass offer a sweeping view of the valley. That is Chickenfoot Lake right of center.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-FrW37pR/0/XL/Pano0726_0729-XL.jpg)
The Gem Lakes are visible below as well.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-mmB8r28/0/XL/DSC00741-1-XL.jpg)
The Morgan Pass. Some of these passes have a sign post, but not this one. I had hoped for a view down to the Upper and Lower Morgan Lakes, but the landscape did not permit it.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-jrdNNzw/0/XL/Pano0730_0734-XL.jpg)
Long Lake on the way back.
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As the day draws to a close, here is another look at Rock Creek.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-vdwTsS6/0/XL/DSC00790-1-XL.jpg)
The next day we hiked to Kenneth Lake. The same trail has spurs to Francis and Dorothy Lakes. It eventually ends at the Tamarack Lakes. The trail has a nice view of Rock Creek Lake.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-q8bTT9q/0/XL/Pano0838_0841-XL.jpg)
Kenneth Lake lacks an inlet creek. It depends solely on rainfall and snow melt for water. Apparently, there has not been much of that as Kenneth was more of a mud puddle than a lake.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-JjTT8Fk/0/XL/DSC00836-1-XL.jpg)
The mud attracted quarter sized frogs that searched for bugs.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-mj3JMbF/0/XL/DSC00814-1-XL.jpg)
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On the third day, we returned to Mosquito Flat to hike to Ruby Lake. This trail gains altitude quickly with great views into the valley.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-VJNjm8J/0/XL/Pano0855_0857-XL.jpg)
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-sd82kvq/0/XL/Pano0859_0867-XL.jpg)
Heart Lake actually looks like a heart from above.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-vrqdTmC/0/XL/DSC00871-1-XL.jpg)
A small pond on the Ruby Lake trail.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-kQh3Gfn/0/XL/DSC00877-1-XL.jpg)
Another pond just before the lake was full of brook trout.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-F5RmsPF/0/XL/DSC00906-1-XL.jpg)
Ruby Lake. It's larger than it looks in this wide angle pano.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-kh5DHh6/0/XL/Pano0927_0933-XL.jpg)
Happy hikers at Ruby Lake.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Little-Lakes-Valley-2016/i-2rfnPNF/0/L/DSC00940-1-L.jpg)