Dale Matson
Click On Photographs To Enlarge
Dorothy Lake
This hike started as so many of my
other multiday adventures, with a day hike recon to Genevieve Lake last fall. https://midsierramusing.blogspot.com/2017/10/lake-genevieve-from-laurel-creek-trail.html
There are two ways to get there with most folks
climbing up the Convict Creek Trail from Convict Lake. The former bridge at the
confluence of Genevieve Creek and Convict Creek is washed out. This makes for a
dangerous crossing when the water is running fast and deep.
The other way I took both times,
was the Jeep trail up Laurel Canyon which is a white knuckle four-mile drive to
the trailhead. My trusty 2017 Tahoe 4X4 hauled five adults and camping gear up
this one-hour boulder field. Buyer beware. A Fresno doctor perished falling off
this road in 2015.
Hike In To Genevieve Lake
It is about 4
miles to Genevieve Lake from the trailhead (elevation 9,910) which is not
marked. See my previous posting. It
is surprising how well this trail holds up despite the fact that it is seldom
used. We could see Convict Lake far below us from the trail. It is generally
easy to get wilderness permits for this route. There was still some smoke from
the Ferguson Fire but it was not evident when we got near Genevieve Lake.
As soon as we
got to Genevieve Lake, we set up our tents which was a good thing since a
horrible thunderstorm rolled in with heavy rain and hail. We cancelled our
afternoon hike to Edith Lake. There was zero time between the lightning flashes
and thunder. After about two hours the rain subsided. We slept well that night
and awakened to a cloudless sky and 53-degree morning.
Our plan was
to remain camped at Genevieve Lake and day hike to Dorothy Lake after
breakfast. I had gotten within sight of Dorothy Lake on my fall day hike before
we turned around to hike back to my truck. Finally, I would see the lake that
was the major reason for me to be in this area again. This is not to sell short
Lake Genevieve below the colorful Mt. Morrison.
Hike To Dorothy Lake
I used the
USGS Topo map that I had gone by previously. There are plenty of other maps but
they do not show the route we took. There is a trail on the map and we followed
it. It accurately depicted the trail on the ground. It was about four miles
round trip with some climbing and descent.
Dorothy Lake
was an amazing sight With Red Slate Mountain (13,140’) most prominent. The
three ladies did their customary brief dive into the cold waters of the lake.
This water was not for me!
We made our
way back and like the previous day an afternoon storm rolled in and lasted
about two hours. It made the air crystal clear. The women then did an afternoon
hike to Edith Lake. I was too tired to participate. It had been hard the last
month to get the exercise I needed because of the smoky air in the Central
Valley.
The next morning,
we had a leisurely breakfast, broke camp and began climbing back out of Genevieve
Lake. The initial part was the most difficult and steep until we began the
switchbacks. It was a slow cautious drive back to the pavement. I drove up and Carlos drove down. We had a fire
detour back through Yosemite and had to return via Highway 140 to Mariposa,
then Highway 49 to Oakhurst and 41 down to Fresno.
Dorothy Lake is about the same size
as Convict Lake and even more beautiful. Of all the lakes I have seen in the
Sierra Nevada my favorite two were formerly East and Reflection Lakes near each
other in Kings Canyon south of Junction Meadow. To me the two most beautiful
lakes are now Dorothy and Genevieve Lakes. I am grateful that at age 73 I am
still able to see these wonderful sights in the Sierra.
Sharon
Carlos With Super Pack
Only Indication You Are At The Beginning Of The Trail
Convict Lake Far Below
Genevieve lake
Mt. Morrison And Thompson On Right
Dorothy Lake
Cool Dip In The Lake
Breakfast - Carlos, Carol, Christina And Sharon
Red Slate Mountain Center
Hike Route
Tahoe Below With Laurel Lake Center
Dale With Sony A7R3 and 16-35mm 2.8 GM Lens
A YouTube video of this hike can be found here.
Your diligent picture taking really paid off. You really captured the splendor of the magnificent scenery on our trip. Thanks! Carol Raines
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol and thanks be to God we all survived the lightning strikes so close to us.
ReplyDelete