Ted's Hiking World Winnemucca Lake Loop
Mokelumne Wilderness

July 8, 2009

It is time for this year's first visit to my favorite local hiking destination.  As summer has not yet arrived here, the predictable early-season gale compels me to don a sweatshirt and headband.  It is 53 degrees at 10 a.m.

I am trying out a brand-new camera today — the revolutionary Panasonic G1.  As yet I have no telephoto or close-up lenses, and no filters, so I'll just have to see how it goes.

The two-mile jaunt to Winnemucca Lake is one of easiest walks in the Sierra, with just 400 feet of elevation gain on a well-maintained trail.  As expected, Ted's Garden is not yet doing its summertime thing.  A few snowdrifts even linger about the trail.

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Interesting roots Winter is still around

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Round Top, 10364*

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Are these the same plant?

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Winnemucca Lake

This lake's outlet is heather territory, but many of those blossoms have not yet opened; I manage to photograph a few that have.

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Red Mountain Heather Alpine Shooting Stars

Crossing the creek on the small log proves problematical for some, although balancing with a walking stick makes the job a lot easier.  Some didn't see it that way, opting for a more difficult option of jumping boulders near the outlet.

I had hoped to find a garden of white heather in its traditional spot — on the mountain slope next to the cascading snowmelt, but the little guys are nowhere in evidence today.  Pshaw.

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The official crossing The always photogenic red creek
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Elephants Back beyond the moraine Marsh Marigolds

Heading back across the creek, I start up the moraine that holds Winnemucca Lake in place.  Three small ponds are trapped up here, out of view from the main trail.  Doubtless many hikers come and go, unaware of their existence.  Along the way I find an unusual pile of bird feathers, worthy of a closer look.

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Indian Paintbrush Western Wallflower
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Butterfly on Buckwheat Donor unknown

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One of three hidden ponds

Having already decided to make this excursion a loop trip, I continue cross-country up through the boulders.  It is hands-on scrambling part of the way.  Once above the rough part, the walking is easy along the scree slope of Elephants Back, well above the main trail.  The voices of out-of-sight hikers complement the great view as I munch some trail mix.
 

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The Jumbles Nice colors
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Caples Lake Red Lake Peak, 10039*

Eventually I run into the Pacific Crest Trail, but following that is not in the plan.  Continuing to the high point begets a view of Red Lake beside the highway on the eastern side of the pass.  Along the way I discover a magnificent garden of stonecrop and buckwheat that makes my day.  Actually, I had been hoping to find just such a display down at lakeside.

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This is why I go hiking

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Elephants Back, 9585' Red Lake, Hope Valley, and Freel Peak

No less pleasing is the ever-present phlox.  No matter where I turn today, patches of purple and white abound, sometimes providing the only color in a particular area.  That's why I am so fond of it.

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Spreading Phlox Frog Lake

A short descent to the back side Frog Lake reveals yet another luscious garden.  The flowers here are almost completely different from those at Winnemucca Lake.  Much of the beauty of the these environs would be missed without a walk completely around the lake.  It is especially nice at this time of year.

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Two beautiful varieties of penstemon  —  Meadow Beardtongue and Mountain Pride

Not bad photos in absence of a close-up accessory, wouldn't you say?  It appears that my new camera has a great future as a hiking companion.

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Pussy Paws Spearleaf Stonecrop
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Mule Ears Slendertube Skyrockets

After leaving Frog Lake, I spot a spur trail heading off to the north.  Following it downhill, I unexpectedly run into a couple of fishers coming up the path, who say that they use this route all the time.

Shortly I reach a paved road at the bottom.  This, the former trailhead, is little-known today.  I myself last used it nearly twenty years ago, not realizing that this old route hasn't been forgotten.

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Last look at Frog Lake The old trailhead

The little road takes me to a spot just east of the pass, from which it will be a short scamper beside the highway to the main parking lot.  At the junction I serendipitously encounter a monument commemorating the exploits of Kit Carson (or more accurately, those of the John Fremont Party, for which Carson was a scout), including a painting which looks pretty darned nice for an all-weather roadside display:

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The actual plaque has more detail than this photo    ⇔

§: Today's route exemplifies the amazing climatic differences here.  Near Winnemucca Lake the alpine flora are just waking up, and much of the grass isn't even green yet.  Around the more arid Frog Lake, however — just a short mile away and only 200 feet lower, many flowers are in full splendor.

This has been a most rewarding outing; I'll return in a month.  Meanwhile, it's off to Yosemite next week.
 

Go Back

Winnemucca Lake
Frog Lake
Round Top
Elephants Back
Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass