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| Matlock Lake from Onion Valley, CA | | -
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| | Matlock Lake from Onion Valley, CA | | | |
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Matlock Lake from Onion Valley, CA
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| Hiking | 6.20 Miles |
1,630 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.20 Miles | 7 Hrs 53 Mns | | 0.79 mph |
| 1,630 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | The day before this hike I was driving north on HW395 with a planned destination of Twin Lakes near Bridgeport for two days of hiking before continuing on to Oregon. However the forecast for that area was for cold temps, rain and possible snow at high elevations so I changed my plan and headed south about 125 miles to Onion Valley where the forecast was for sunny skies. The small campground at Onion Valley has always been one of my favorites for this time of year but since my last visit it has become reservation only except for the walk-in sites and I knew it was fully booked. So I setup camp at a first-come, first-serve, site in the Lower Grays Meadow CG. I would drive 7.7 miles each day to Onion Valley where I had 2 planned day hikes. The paved road makes for an easy drive despite all the switch backs and has great views I never got tired of. A real bonus was the comfortable warmer temps at that CG which is 3500 ft lower in elevation. It was dropping down to freezing temps with a cold wind every night in Onion Valley. I stayed there in early Oct 2019 when it got so cold at night, the 6 inches of water in my 6 gallon water jug froze solid overnight.
This hike starts up the Kearsarge Pass Trail for 2.4 miles, then takes a left at the sign for Matlock Lake between Gilbert and Flower Lakes. It's only 0.6 miles further on a maintained trail to Matlock Lake. The trail is in good shape but can get confused with all the use trails between Gilbert and Flower Lakes. Just head for the log bridge across Rock Creek, then take a short side trip to see the views of Flower Lake before returning to the Matlock Lk Trail.
Onion Valley is a major refueling side trip for backpackers on the PCT and JMT. I always enjoy talking to these adventurers and encountered several on this hike. The bear boxes lining the parking lot are for these backpackers to leave their resupply stashes. Evidently many leave notes with "you can have it if not claimed by dates" which one PCTer I met on that early Oct 2019 trip was taking advantage of - you'd think he had struck gold when he found his favorite candy bars.
All three lakes on this hike are scenic beauties and the views of Onion Valley and surrounding mountains from the switchbacks climbing up the Kearsarge Pass Trail from the trailhead are a treat. You won't find much better in the Eastern Sierras for a short day hike. |
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