Dale Matson

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This is really an ‘unofficial’ hike with no trails along the Madera County side of Millerton Lake in the area I hiked. There is an area to park across the road from where you begin. My hike began on the paved, steep and gated service road just before the boat ramp. The road initially climbs to a fenced water tank utility area. My hike was about 2.5 miles round trip with 840’ of ascent. The highest point was 1,102’ in elevation. This was a slow 3-hour hike with lots of ups and downs with good views of the lake. The lake is very low, having been intentionally lowered to make room for the snowmelt in the spring. There has been about 500” of snowfall above 9,000’ in the Sierra thus season with more expected. Millerton Lake is fed primarily by surrounding runoff and the San Joaquin River, which should be quite a raging torrent once the three branches merge above Mammoth Pool reservoir. The grass has grown to above knee height in many places, which slowed down my walking. There were no bugs and no water available for purified resupply.

I was trying out my new Sony A6000 (APS-C sensor) camera with the kit 16-50mm lens. Sony also has a “clear zoom” feature that allows an additional digital zoom that doubles the optical 50mm to 100mm. Although I was amazed at the photo IQ of this camera and lens combination, the clear zoom seemed to suck the color and life out of the photographs where I used it. I restored some of the color in Photoshop but don’t recommend the clear zoom unless a particular feature needs to appear larger. I ordered a used Sony/Zeiss 16-70mm f4 lens, which has a good reputation and will replace my kit lens when it arrives. It won’t add a lot of weight but will improve reach and photo quality.

I had taken a similar hike but shorter route previously and took some shots with my Canon 400mm f4 lens. It was a terrible day for photographs on the earlier hike but I saved three shots so I could include them with this longer hike.

Friant Dam At Top Of Photograph With Low Waterline

Mckenzie Lava Table Top Right

Quite A Bit Of Dry Lake Bed Here

Millerton Lake Begins Bend Around Pincushion Mountain

Mountains With Snow At Top Of Photograph

Pincushion Mountain 100mm

Lava Table Above Sky Harbor Road

My Vehicle Below

Winchell Cove Marina

Winchell Point

Hikers On Top Of Pincushion Mountain 400mm

Western Bluebird

Dale Matson

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Hike Route From Suunto Ambit 2 Upload To Movescount

This is about a 2.7 mile round trip out and back trail with about 1,112’ of elevation gain outbound. Pincushion Mountain is 1,582’ in elevation with the trailhead elevation around 580’. The trailhead is at the end of Sky Harbor Road off Friant Road next to the Table Mountain Casino. The trail is initially the same trail as the San Joaquin River Trail but departs toward Pincushion Mountain at about 950’ of elevation. The climb is steep at times.

We were out over 4 hours traveling at a slow pace with frequent stops for photographs and “sit downs” on boulders. This is a good time of year for this hike while things are still green, cool and relatively bug free. I have one cautionary note. There is poison oak along the trail. Watch where you put your hands in the few places you need to scramble! Also watch out for mountain bikers who also use this trail.

As you climb Millerton Lake looks less like a lake and more like a river, which it is, the San Joaquin River. There several bends and twists up stream as the river trends northeast. Boats can be seen traveling below. When the water is higher (Millerton is intentionally being lowered to make room for snow melt runoff), boats can travel beyond the wider Temperance Flat area.

When you reach the top, there is a 360-degree view with the main body of Millerton Lake to the southwest. Finegold Creek can be seen entering from the north. My photographs were taken with the Sony A7R2, Batis 18mm, adapted Leica 28mm and adapted Canon 400mm lenses. I was hoping for Eagle Photographs. That lens is heavy!