| |
| Green Lake from South Lake Trailhead, CA | |
|
| | Green Lake from South Lake Trailhead, CA | | | |
|
|
Green Lake from South Lake Trailhead, CA
| | |
|
| Hiking | 6.49 Miles |
1,730 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.49 Miles | 8 Hrs 26 Mns | | 0.99 mph |
| 1,730 ft AEG | 1 Hour 52 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | I've had this hike on my to-do list for several years and it finally made it to the top of the list. I've always been a little confused about where to start the hike as there are several variations none of which are marked with a sign. The starting point I chose was at the top end of the long-term parking area at South Lake past a locked green vehicle gate. There is also an alternate starting point off at the start of the Bishop Pass Trail on an un-signed but well worn side track that forks off to the left about 150 ft down the trail from the edge of the parking lot pavement. It intersects the route from the top of the parking lot at about 340 ft from the green gate.
The Green Lake Trail can also be accessed from the Parchers Resort on South Lake Rd near the Pack Station located there. The trail is well worn by horseback riders led out of the pack station on rides up and back to South Lake. Another option is to park at La Hupp pullout on the west side of South Lake Road about a quarter mile past the entrance to Parchers on the way to South Lake. Cross the road and take a use trail turning right at its intersection with the trail from Parchers. The Green Lake Trail intersection with the horse trail is about 0.6 miles from Parchers and is actually marked with a "Green Lake Trail" sign. [ photo ]
Now that you're completely confused we can start the trail from my chosen starting point at the green gate. This route leads you past a water flow measurement weir in a small stream fed by the Green Creek Diversion pipeline. A small outhouse sized locked building next to the weir probably contains equipment for measuring the flow. Some research indicates this pipeline was installed by either Southern California Edison or its predecessor Southern Sierra Power Co. It's purpose is to add water diverted from the creek flowing out of the Green Lake basin to South Lake to be later released for driving a hydroelectric plant downstream on Bishop Creek. I could not find a date for construction of the pipeline but the South Lake Dam was built in 1910 for the hydroelectric project.
The pipeline is important to this narrative because it provides a shortcut cutting out about 0.5 miles and 250ft AEG (one way) for anyone who doesn't mind walking almost a mile on a 16 inch diameter steel pipe.  I decided to try it out but skipped the first 0.2 miles of the pipeline crossing over to it later from the main trail to avoid a steep section of the pipe. I would find that if you have a good sense of balance, shoes with a good grip on the pipe surface, and the pipe outer surface is not wet you could make good time hiking up the gentle grade of this pipe to connect with the trail. Rubber tipped trekking poles might also help. But I don't have a good sense of balance and I was more than a little nervous for most of this section of the hike. I chose to take the trail route on my return.
There were nice views across the canyon from the pipeline as it traversed the canyon side and I was intrigued by the purpose of the pipeline and the effort it must have taken to build it. I didn't confirm its purpose until doing some research when I got home. After reaching the main trail there is a climb up several switchbacks to reach the Green Lake Basin. I would discover after the hike that the trail goes within a short distance (150ft) of the small Bluff Lake which somehow factors into this water diversion scheme for the pipeline. I regret not taking a look at that lake which was hidden from view by a low hill and trees. The trail soon reaches the unimpressive small Brown Lake where it turns east to climb up to a small basin containing Green Lake. The trail is a little difficult to follow as it crosses a swampy flower covered meadow before starting that final climb. Nearing the lake the trail passes through a large boulder field which covers the stream flowing out of the lake. The stream can be heard beneath the boulders but not seen.
The lake is a real beauty with the most amazing shade of blue on this day under the clear blue sky above. I followed the trail around the south end of the lake where it passes a small meadow with yellow flowers. The trail then can be seen climbing out of the basin on the east side of the lake. A local couple enjoying a noon time snack in the shade of some trees near the south shore recommended that I climb up that trail a short distance to get a great view of the lake which would reveal a small island at its north end. It was good advice. This was not a busy place on this 4th of July. Several people past me on their way out including one family from Bishop who had hiked up to the lake early that morning to fish. They were the only ones of several fishermen I encountered who had any luck but they said they knew the lake well, where to fish and what to use. By 1pm everyone had left and I had the lake to myself. |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
