Why The Sierras Are Awesome

Emerald Bay from the Bayview Trail.

Apparently I'm on the half-year schedule for posting here. Summer was late in coming this year, but now that it's here in Tahoe, it couldn't be more beautiful. I got out on a couple of hikes this past weekend to enjoy the sun and warmth. On Saturday, I went into Desolation Wilderness from the Bayview Trail to check out snow conditions for an upcoming backpacking trip. Conclusion: there's still a lot of snow up there, but there are clear areas too. The remaining snow is melting fast. Mosquitoes should be out in full force in a week or two!

I was going to hike in as far as conditions and time would allow, with a goal of seeing Dicks Lake and Fontanillis Lake before hitting the Velmas. I got side-tracked by the snow and went off trail on the way to Dicks Lake. I also forgot the map at home. Using peaks as landmarks, I went cross-country to explore a bit and ended up at Upper Velma Lake. Soon thereafter, I met a guy by another unnamed lake, borrowed his map, and found I was not far from the trail. Conclusion: cross-country hiking is a lot more fun and rewarding than hiking the beaten trails.

Unnamed lake in Desolation Wilderness.

It's wildflower season in Tahoe National Forest, on the way out to Loch Leven Lakes.

On Sunday, I met up with my friend Steve and we hiked up to Loch Leven Lakes, west of Donner Pass off I-80. There are three named lakes and more that are unnamed nested in glacier-carved granite bowls and depressions. A beautiful area that I would like to come back to, especially for backpacking and more cross-country travel.

Cross-country hiking around Loch Leven Lakes. Looking east to Devil's Peak in the distance.

A sweet sunny spot for a lizard on top of a rock cairn.

I think this was High Loch Leven Lake.