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| Backpack | 8.96 Miles |
2,284 AEG |
| | Backpack | 8.96 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 2,284 ft AEG | | 40 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | This last trip turned out to be AWESOME despite my earlier and anxious thinking. It's amazing what a shower and large pizza will do for ones will-power. 
After completing 3 wonderful days with mosquito infested Cloud's Rest, dark and dangerous Half-Dome and sleeping inches away from a bear in Yosemite Valley, our group replenished at the expensive tourist market there in the Village. I purchased some spicy brauts for tonight's self-envisioned campfire feast. [BTW, Chum kindly shared his brauts a few nights earlier when my Mtn House became spoiled by highly chlorinated water. Seems I overly sterilized my filter - lesson learned.]
9L and I sat in the very back of the rented van for the first time and we had a long ride to Ten Lakes; I made an immediate impression by spilling a packet of open soy sauce on him, hehe...So glad I weigh 70lbs more than him (  ). Anyhoo...we made it to the trailhead, prepped up (sans Ben who left us the night before), and hit the trail...this time with Parnelli Clairbear who wasn't with us the first leg of the trip (I'm sure the extra estrogen was appreciated by Liz!)
The Ten Lakes trail follows a gradual incline to the north with a large slabbed, rocky area about a mile in. Consider always hiking westerly during this vague section, as it's an easy place to get lost. It continues north to an open and very large, beautiful meadow. The ladies were trailing behind us, so with great dignity, our group-leader creatively formed markers, drawings and snowmen to denote our presence ahead. Very considerate!
Kyle, John and I made it to the first campsites on the south side of the Lake 8947, but Chum had completely vanished. We soon found out, had circumvented the entire lake looking for the ideal campsite for us; I'm sure he found it there on the lonely north side. Very spacious and plenty of firewood.
Each of the lakes in this area drains into another, so there are wonderful streams and waterfalls between each of these gorgeous, crystalline lakes. I think everyone wished they had more time to explore this area. Many of the lakes had little rock islands...so tempting to swim out to - I wished I now had done that.
As I returned from a water run...I saw a odd and slithering lizard that gave me a spook...now that I've Googled, I'm pretty sure it was a "SKINK" of some sorts; I had never seen one of these before and it was definitely a wildlife highlight. I snapped some photos; every time I got close to the rascal, he would become more aggressive; even took a snap at me.
The campfire was very entertaining that evening. Beer supplies had been freshly replenished and Chumley had carried in so many, he had a tough time keeping track of them all. The ladies entertained us with CopaCoChumly parodies and the spicy bruats I hauled in and cooked over the campfire were unforgettable-pure-awesomeness.
The next morning, the ladies slept in while Chumly, Kyle and John went off to explore the lakes to the east...I decided to climb Grand Mountain just to the north (great views). Once we regrouped, we all headed back out...Chumly, John and I took the 1 mile side trip to the first Grant Lake (Chumley climbed 500' up to the second). Kyle guarded our treed packs from a nearby marmot until the girls arrived then hiked out with them. I was the first to return from Grant, so I solo'd out again on the return trip back. Was awesome timing for each of us returned to the vehicle within a few minutes of each other..
We again crashed in Vegas at my friends house and with the "semi-late" evening arrival, I was grateful that I didn't go out for a spanking that night, (although I think 9L was upset about missing..uhhh...ignor this last paragraph...what happens in Vegas, yada)
I think this hike was a definite highlight and I would highly recommend the Ten Lakes area to anyone interested. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
