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It was a
mistake. Our original plan was a mistake. What were we thinking?
As I've
mentioned in past posts, we have not visited many of the High Sierra classics
close to home. We've been trying to make amends but we do not like the crowds.
We just are not accustomed to having neighbors. It was the weekend after Labor
Day and the summer onslaught ought to be waning. We did our homework. Silver Lake Campground on the June Lake Loop had switched off of reservations for campsites,
a sign the season is winding down. It was now first come. It has showers
available for campers. It is across the street from the Rush Creek Trailhead.
We could leave the camper set up for two nights, do our hike, get a shower; it
would be convenient.
Pulling in
late Friday afternoon was a shock. The campground road had a barricade,
"Campground Full." We found every facility in the June Lake area full. It was bumper to bumper cars coming in from the south off of 395. What a
mistake.
Our plan B -
you knew we had one - was a few minutes away. The sun was over the horizon. The
half moon was bright overhead. We had a simple late dinner. We were completely
alone. It was quiet.
The Rush Creek Trailhead parking lot was already full when we arrived early Saturday morning.
We parked out on the road and started up the trail. So many people crammed into
this June Lake Loop area was unimaginable to us.
A few
hundred yards up the trail and solitude.
We were on
the east side of the Sierra Nevada Range. What did we want to see today? The San
Joaquin River. The Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River cuts its way through
the Sierra and begins its life on the east side of the Ritter Range. We had
never hiked in this area. We had never looked down into the beginnings of the San
Joaquin River canyon. We could do that from Agnew Pass.
The trail
climbs quickly.
Early on the
Rush Creek drainage was exploited for hydroelectric power production. Between
1916 and 1925 dams were constructed creating Agnew, Gem, and Waugh reservoirs.
The old
cable tramway up the mountainside is still in
operation.
We took a
break just above the dam on Agnew Reservoir and checked out the geology around us -
the complicated rock above........................
....................and
the glacial striations at our feet.
The Lady
focused in on the late season bloom of gentians along the trail.
We took the
unmarked trail along the southern side of Agnew Reservoir that climbs up a shorter
but much much steeper route to Agnew Pass.
It does not waste any time gaining elevation.
We were soon
above the dam on Gem Reservoir.
And we kept
climbing. Mono Lake was far below in the distance.
As we
crested into the hanging valley that holds Spooky Meadow we crossed into the
Ansel Adams Wilderness.
The coming
of Autumn was evident in Spooky Meadow.
The trail
continued its climb and we entered the basin above Spooky Meadow.
In a little
over three and a half miles from the trailhead we had gained 2900 feet in
elevation.
This is the
trail's high point. Agnew Pass is still ahead, to the south, and a bit
lower in elevation than this high point. Here
we had a wonderful late morning view west of the Sierra Crest up the Rush Creek
drainage.
Kuna
Glacier, where we were the previous Saturday is on the north side of Kuna and
Koip peaks - on the right in the panorama above.
A few
glacial tarns dot the crest. At least one mallard complied when the Lady said,
"Butts up!"
A mile and a
half or so further on and we arrived at Agnew Pass.
South of the
pass is Summit Lake with Banner Peak and Mount Ritter behind to the southwest.
We continued
a short distance south and intersected with the Pacific Crest Trail. We sat,
snacked, and took in the views. Below is looking south down the Middle Fork of
the San Joaquin River toward Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow.
This was mid
day with hazy light, not the best time for photographs. The view west was
still marvelous and classic. The North Fork of the San Joaquin River headwaters are
on the west slopes of Banner and Ritter.
Autumn's
showy colors are beginning in the high country.
We thought
about Ansel Adams on this, our first journey into his namesake Wilderness, here among these soaring peaks. Although nothing close to an Adams
photograph, I was inspired to work a bit with the Black & White style.
Clouds were
moving in as we decided to take the long way back to the trailhead. It would add three miles or more
to the distance today, but we'd get to see more new country. We passed by Clark
Lake again. We could easily get addicted to the classic Sierra granite beyond. We
probably already are.
The day
grew dark and muted with the cloud cover but splashes of color in the aspen
brightened up our hike in the afternoon.
It was close
to rain when we arrived at the dam on Gem Reservoir.
On the drop
down to Agnew Reservoir we looked across at the trail we had hiked up in the
morning, that steep diagonal cut across the talus on its way to the basin
holding Spooky Meadow.
The sky was
clear off to the east.
The canyon
walls above Silver Lake soar and Rush Creek's drop to the bottom is
spectacular.
We had a
wonderful day of hiking, exploring, and taking in classic Sierra Nevada
vistas. It had been a great day for us. We celebrated with dinner out at the
Whoa Nellie Deli
and then
headed to a favorite spot of ours north of Mono Lake. We were hit with a short
downpour of rain enroute.
With the
camper's top popped up we took care of chores and dinner and then we relaxed.
The
temperature and weather was absolutely perfect for sitting out and enjoying the
coming night.
It was well
worth it to stay up past our usual bedtime. We slept like death but were
anxious to see what the morning light would bring.
The Lady
enjoyed her special Sunday morning breakfast put together by her own personal
chef and we started slowly homeward. We ventured up Green Creek. We found it
relativity quiet with few people. The leaves have just started to turn. After
coming over Monitor Pass we stopped for lunch along the East Carson and then
were soon safely home.
Yet another
fine weekend!
