We returned to Mono Lake after Mammoth as we headed west to see Robbie on the west coast.
Another favorite from the region, sunset in the Sierra.
Jen crests a secondary peak only to feel the summit seems no closer. Mammoth Lakes city below.
The scenes from the top are breathtaking.
We left Yosemite National Park on Friday with the intention of hiking to the peak of Mammoth Mountain
and then cutting west to see our youngest, Robbie. The editor had time to rest and recover as the local mountain,
covered in ski lifts, surrounded by many mountain ranges and lakes, is quite a tough one, too. With the lower
temperatures and always-active winds, the going becomes a little rough in places.
“Let’s see it as a climb to reach the peak where we can partake of tea and coffee and enjoy the sights,”
we suggested to the editor. There are closer coffee shops but then why make life easier, we thought. The elevation
gain is 3,100 feet over four miles with parts, especially the exposed area at the summit and below, quite vicious
in the wind. It is an incline the whole way, with a stop at Drakensrug (Afrikaans) otherwise known as Dragon’s Back.
A pause at Seven Lakes followed and then wonderful views towards Yosemite, Bishop, Mono Lake and mountain ranges we
cannot even enumerate; there are far too many including a dozen or more lakes on view. It’s no wonder the city is
known as Mammoth Lakes. The trail had five distinct sections making it an interesting hike, both up and down.
Jenni leaving Dragon's Back, Twin Lakes below.
After brunch, he thought he was at the beach. (Dangerous situation when editor has a camera.)
As we moved up, the thought of hot beverages at the top with brunch prepared by Jenni became enticing.
Only a little more to go as the howling wind attacked us, particularly our exposed faces. When we passed the
tree line and could see the ski-station at the mountaintop, things looked quiet. By that time, icicles were
falling from trees and blowing in from somewhere. The exposure at the summit made us feel naked, in a manner
of speaking. Piping hot coffee was looking like a great reward for the effort expended.
Looking east from a little below peak.
Another false peak below Mammoth summit.
Unfortunately, although we read that the ski-lifts run all year round, it appeared that our day was
the exception. There wasn’t a soul about leaving us to find shelter where we could drink imaginary hot beverages.
On our return, part-way down, we met the first and only person we came across on the trail. He was a man of at
least 70-odd wearing shorts who mentioned that it was wonderful weather. He was either a local used to cold winters
or did not know what was awaiting him further above. We made it down quickly, stopped to admire the birds swimming
on a lake surface and realized we needed to remove superfluous clothing, as there was no wind at ground level—it was
quite warm. It was a wonderful experience despite the high winds at the summit.
After moving away from Mammoth, we arrived at a lodge to view the scenes below, a pond: The pictures are taken
a day apart.
Sunset with the temperature a little above freezing.
Same place but a snow-morning with the thermometer at 14 degrees F.
We try to follow the sun but changes occur quickly.
It's about to disappear and then what?
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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