Dale Matson
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Distance 7.5 miles round trip from the Badger Flat parking area.
About 1,500’ of altitude gain. Top Elevation is Potter Pass at 9,000’
Lots of mosquitoes. Bring water but there is dependable treatable water at both lakes. We were out for about 5.5 hours total. I would rate this hike moderate. It is more popular this year since some of the trails in the Sierra National Forest have been closed due to last year’s Creek Fire damage. Nearby trails that are closed include the Kaiser Loop Trail and the Nellie Lake Trail. The most noticeable fire damage was near Cressman Road and Tamarack Ridge. It is also bad near Billy Creek Campground.
This was a trip with Sharon and Hobbes plus trail companions Terry and Chanda. They are a decade younger and fit. We could not keep their pace. Hobbes (aka trail ambassador) went about 25 miles and insisted on greeting everyone we passed on the trail including a group of four on horseback. We held him as the riders passed by.
The climb to Potter Pass from the trailhead is gentle for the 2.2 miles. It is at Potter Pass that you enter the Kaiser Wilderness. It is actually the climb back up to Potter Pass from the lakes that is steeper and more difficult.
Sharon did her usual swim around the island at Upper Twin Lake and this year she had company with Terry and Chanda. Hobbes and I stayed on shore.
I would recommend an early start. We met at 7am and were glad to be headed back before the hottest part of the day.
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