10.05 Convict LakeTrail to Mildred Lake

Multi-chocolate colored slabs that held our attention throughout the hike.

Reminds us of the Mitre Rock at Milford Sound, NZ

"A guy in an orange jumpsuit? Where'd you see him?"

The Laiken’s suggested that we try this hike, one of the many they undertook some years ago. It lies between Lee Vining, our new base and Bishop, our previous one. As we might of mentioned, perhaps fifty times before, this area was designed for hikers and lovers of nature and everyone else except shopping mall lovers. We stopped into the photographic gallery founded by the late Galen Rowell, world renowned mountain climber and photographer. Two things, amongst many we read, are: He chose to live in Bishop and explore much of Owens Valley; the other is that after traveling the world, he decided that he never needed to have left the Sierras. It’s all here.

Fascinating crags

Explosions in the sky

Caught some color action in the sky as the sun & clouds danced all afternoon

We had limited time today as we traveled between towns. We set aside a little over 4 hours for the hike and pushed it to the maximum when we weren’t taking pictures. We commenced before the lake, passed along the eastern side and climbed until we reached the waterfall below Mildred Lake. For the first time in a week, the temperature dropped while the winds picked up strongly. The forecast is for snow on Monday—something we have been hoping against. We thought about it and realized it’s a losing proposition. All those hoping (praying) for sunny hiking weather have given up and gone back to their regular routines. On the other hand, with skiing season imminent, the rest are hoping (praying) for snow. So unless we have been saintly, we don’t have a chance, do we? And both you and we know we have been anything but. We are thinking of skiing.

Editor treads carefully on 'smooth' surface as we cross numerous creeks

Portends for oncoming weather

Getting back on track, granite mountains surrounded us as we climbed steadily upwards, crossing the dangerous creeks without flowing water, fortunately—that’s coming. The sights were incredible. Sometimes we think there is too much beauty in one place. Pointed, rounded, flat, overwhelming in size, chocolate, vanilla and grey in color, you name it, they stood proud, tall and if we may add, a trifle arrogant. Who could blame them. Immovable, vast and impenetrable, they are mighty structures that will remain long after we have all disappeared. The fall colors, combined with the blue and emerald water of Convict Lake, softened the harshness of the monoliths. In eight miles on the trail, we don’t know the elevation gain, we walked with eyes taking in the magnificent sights but never failing to watch the loose stones that are not that pleasant underfoot. Enough from us—the pictures tell the full story.

Always look up as our editor teaches us; or how to become a stiff-necked person

Lake Zuma, shape of Africa, see text below

We have to refute the rumor circulating that the Inyo Forest Administration will honor Jacob Zuma, the South African President. Instead of Convict Lake, it will in future be Zuma Lake. When we looked at the lake closely, we noticed that it forms the shape of the African continent. This may be one reason for the proposed change. However, there has been an outcry from prisoners in Central California about the name change. Their opponents, a lobby group, can’t see the problem. After all, isn’t Zuma a synonym for convict, they ask? This is not our fight but we like to remain abreast of changes in hiking trails. Besides, Jake seems quite capable of swimming through any controversy.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Sunday afternoon in the fall

Clouds, clouds, clouds, always a favorite scene

Had to have one more—love these slabs.