Honeymoon Lake To Granite Park Part II

Dale Matson

Hike Route Day 2 And Total Hike Route

 

3.7 miles RT 1,000’ climb 6 hours

         On 8-26, we had breakfast and hit the trail to Granite Park about 8am. Granite Park is another kind of basin. We backtracked a bit to the trail to Italy Pass which would take us to Granite Park also. I imagine most folks who take this trail go over Italy Pass. I don’t know why but it was a slow hike for all of us. We saw Feather Peak, Muriel Peak, and the top of Mt. Humphreys over in Humphreys Basin. There is something both bleak and beautiful about essentially granite and water. We rested in several places and had lunch near a waterfall. None of these lakes we passed had names. Although the trail continues toward Italy Pass (the trail ends before the pass) we opted to turn around and head back to camp. Some of my favorite images were taken on this hike. We had considered taking the trail to Pine Creek Pass but were glad we had chosen this route.

         We broke camp and headed out 1.5 hours before Carlos and Carol and they caught up with us with about 1.5 miles to go! Our final hike out was difficult and slow for me and I suffered from both dehydration and heat. It is easy to forget to drink enough water in the mountains. The 3,000’ of descent was tough on this old man’s quads. I was doubly glad we had our packs brought up the hill by the time I got back to the truck with my pack. Sharon and Carlos drove my truck back to Fresno. Thank God!

         It was by God’s grace that no one fell or was injured that is always a thought that runs through one’s mind.

Carlos And Carol

Peppermint Peak

Honeymoon Lake From Italy Pass Trail

Mount Humphreys From Granite Park

Mount Julius Caesar

Sharon Diving In Honeymoon Lake

Pine Creek Trail To Honeymoon Lake Part I

Dale Matson

Hike Route Day One
 

6 Miles, 3,000’ gain 7hours hike time

 

It was a joy to leave the smoke-filled Central Valley for the Eastern Sierra Nevada. Our friends Carlos and Carol joined Sharon and me on our hike to Honeymoon Lake on the Pine Creek Trail near Bishop CA. It is in the John Muir Wilderness of Inyo County. Because of Covid, our wilderness permits were mailed to us.

We decided to schedule a packer to take our packs up and scheduled the Pine Creek Pack Station for August 25^th. We dropped off our packs by the scale at 7am and talked with Dee, the manager We then began our hike with the packers following us about an hour later. We were only half way to the lake when they passed us. They dropped off our packs at Honeymoon Lake. I think Honeymoon lake is kind of a basecamp for many folks but the other camps were quiet.

There were virtually no mosquitos, plenty of water crossings for resupply except only one on the switchbacks. Much of the trail was created to an abandoned Tungsten mine. I think the creek crossing could be difficult in spring and the two logs were so slanted, they were useless.The air was clear. We arrived at Honeymoon lake to find our packs by the shore and set up our respective camps.

We had dinner together at our camp and I went to bed. Even without a back pack, my day pack and camera were heavy enough. I used the Sony A7R4 with the Sony 16-35 GM 2.8 lens and the Sony 85mm 1.8 lens.

We passed Pine Lake, Upper Pine Lake also and took breaks to take in the beautiful scenery. Peppermint Peak was a prominent feature at 12,680’

Pine Creek Trail is kind of a Gateway to Italy Pass, Pine Creek Pass and Granite Park.

Pine Lake

Upper  Pine Lake

Peppermint Peak

Honeymoon Lake