Little redrock petroglyphs

We started out from the west end of Far Hills road, and hiked 5.2 miles RT with 900 ft of gain.

Starting out we passed some Jersey Barriers with pictographs (graffiti). Then we first headed to the closest  red rock in the center of the photo. The next petroglyphs are on the farther red rock on the left.

This is coming up to the first red rock outcrop. Just behind it outside a slot that passes through are the petroglyphs

 



Looking at petroglyphs

 Better ones are at the next outcrop

Crossing a gulley and heading toward the next outcrop

At the out crop the petroglyphs are in the blocky rocks on the right, and some are higher on the face.

Some are on the flat top of the rocks

This is higher up the face

Heading back down

We passed a magnificent lake with reflections of the grand scenery

There were Fairy Shrimp living in the lake.

Fairy Shrimp

Half way back to the car the second red rock outcrop is still visible.

Piute Pass hike Sep 9, 2017

Piute pass trail starts at North Lake which is off a side road to Lake Sabrina. 11 miles RT and 2000 ft gain. Max elevation 11,400 ft. The trail starts out in forest and climbs to a lake filled valley before reaching the pass. The pass has a view into Humphres basin.

Moon over the ridge as we started. The north lake trailhead parking requires about a half mile of road walking before reaching the actual trailhead, where there is no parking unless you have a campsite there.

  Second foot log. The first foot log was a dangerous one. High, sloped, and not round. It caused one member of the party to try to rock hop across but the rocks were slippery and caused a fall into the water.

  Mountain Pride Penstemon. One of 4 or 5 kinds of penstemon in the sierras.

 First view of the pass.

 Paintbrush and Shooting star

  Shooting star

Sargents Campion

 closer view of the pass

 Just below the pass

 Looking back. First lake would be Piute lake, then Loch Leven.

 On top, 11,400 ft elevation.

 Proof of elevation

Looking into Humphres basin

Going back down

Piute Crags

Blue lake hike

Blue lake trail starts at Lake Sabrina near Bishop CA. We went 9 miles and 2000 feet to a point past the lake where a mountain stream cascaded across bedrock

First water crossing on trail along lake Sabrina

Looking back toward lake Sabrina with Piute Crags in the background

The group at an overlook

Blue lake

Island in blue lake

Above blue lake

Clear mountain stream

Clear mountain stream

Clear mountain stream

Dade Lake loop Sep 8, 2017

Dade Lake loop is also up little lakes valley out of Toms place. It goes all the way up the valley and then climbs on a primitive trail to Treasure lakes, then cross country to Dade lake.

Treasure lakes at the end of the primitive trail. Dade lake is on top of the bench on the left of the photo.

360 degree panorama of Dade lake  Click the link..then click the photo

Dade lake had a fair amount of ice still. This is September....lowest snow level till it snows again in about two weeks.

Yellow columbine

The primitive  trail to Treasure lakes

Looking back toward Long lake, the last lake in Little lakes valley.

Pink Columbine

Yellow and Lavender Columbine.

Red Heather

   Gem Lake

Little Elephant Head

Treasure lakes from above.

Ice field on the outlet to Dade lake

Partway down a never ending talus field on the way back to Gem Lake. This is an unnamed lake. Gem is about another mile of talus.

Labrador tea was blooming among the talus

Never ending talus

Talus as far as you can see. About 3 miles of this kind of talus.

Final talus slope to Gem lakes.

Interesting color  paintbrush

Regular colored paintbrush