Mammoth Lakes
Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:50 am
We spent 4 days hiking around Mammoth Lakes. We had been there only once before in 2008 when we visited the Devil's Postpile.
Our first day, we did a light hike to Rainbow Falls to get used to the altitude. The San Joaquin River is flowing from right to left in this view. At the left side is the brink of the falls.
There really is a rainbow. The stairs to the base of the fall were closed for repairs. We had to view it from above.
On day 2, we hiked to Olaine and Shadow Lakes. Olaine Lake had a mirror reflection of the opposite shore.
Once you pass Olaine Lake, there is 700' of gain to reach Shadow Lake. The outlet creek makes for a stunning cascade.
As you gain altitude, you come up to eye level with the lake.
Here is the cascade looking down.
Shadow Lake
Glaciated peaks tower above.
On the way back, this young buck stopped to have his picture made.
On day 3, we hiked the Duck Pass trail as far as Arrowhead and Skelton Lakes.
Arowhead Lake lies below nameless peaks.
So does Skelton Lake.
On day 4, we hiked to the Sherwin Lakes. There are five lakes on the topo map. The first two can't be seen from the trail. The third lake can be seen through the trees. A faint use trail leads to its shore.
The trail winds along the shore of the fourth lake. This is where we stopped to eat lunch.
The chipmonks here were really agressive. They showed no fear of people. They would come quite close looking for a handout.
Happy hikers at Skelton Lake.
Our first day, we did a light hike to Rainbow Falls to get used to the altitude. The San Joaquin River is flowing from right to left in this view. At the left side is the brink of the falls.
There really is a rainbow. The stairs to the base of the fall were closed for repairs. We had to view it from above.
On day 2, we hiked to Olaine and Shadow Lakes. Olaine Lake had a mirror reflection of the opposite shore.
Once you pass Olaine Lake, there is 700' of gain to reach Shadow Lake. The outlet creek makes for a stunning cascade.
As you gain altitude, you come up to eye level with the lake.
Here is the cascade looking down.
Shadow Lake
Glaciated peaks tower above.
On the way back, this young buck stopped to have his picture made.
On day 3, we hiked the Duck Pass trail as far as Arrowhead and Skelton Lakes.
Arowhead Lake lies below nameless peaks.
So does Skelton Lake.
On day 4, we hiked to the Sherwin Lakes. There are five lakes on the topo map. The first two can't be seen from the trail. The third lake can be seen through the trees. A faint use trail leads to its shore.
The trail winds along the shore of the fourth lake. This is where we stopped to eat lunch.
The chipmonks here were really agressive. They showed no fear of people. They would come quite close looking for a handout.
Happy hikers at Skelton Lake.