Buena Vista Lake/Crest, Ottoway Lake, Half Dome August 2012

Hey everyone, this is a report from a trip I did in early August 2012 through the Clark Range.

Day 1: Mono Meadow to Buena Vista Lake
The hike to Buena Vista turned out to be harder than expected in part due to the fact that I ran out of water a few miles from the lake. Eventually I made it and had enough time to bag Buena Vista Peak before sunset.

Day 2: Buena Vista Lake to Ottoway Lake via Buena Vista Crest
Hiking the Buena Vista Crest to Merced Pass was fairly easy in terms of navigation but it was a significant amount of boulder hopping with a full pack. It took about 3 hours from Buena Vista Pass to Merced Pass. I made it to Ottoway Lake by about 2pm and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon while the thunderstorms were brewing. As usual fishing was great in the lake.

Day 3: Ottoway Lake to Merced Lake via Red Peak Fork
I was considering taking a short day today and maybe bagging Red Peak or heading to Edna Lake but clouds were building already at 9am so I decided to just head to Merced Lake. I raced down Red Peak Fork because I definately did not want to have to descend the steep slabs towards the end in the rain. I ended up making it to the bottom literally seconds before the rain started. I had lunch at Washburn and made it to Merced at about 4pm.

Day 4: Merced Lake to Mono Meadow (with stop at Half Dome)
Hoping to make it to Half Dome before any significant buildup, I wasted no time and started hiking early. Aside from almost stepping on a rattlesnake that was in the middle of the trail the hike was mostly uneventful. Due to thunderstorms nearby, I probably shouldn't have gone up Half Dome but I did anyway. I spent less than 5 min on top and made it down without any incident. Made it back to my car just before sunset.

Link to photos : https://picasaweb.google.com/117025886482845091325/BuenaVistaAndOttoway?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMjx9Mqbz6z7dg&feat=directlink

Chris

Edit: Fixed Link



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/30/2012 01:46PM by ckm554.

Thanks for the trip report and the link to all the wonderful photos!

On this four day trip, how much did your backpack weigh?

.

Not sure what it weighed exactly but I would guess between 35 and 40lbs.

Chris

Thanks for the info.

You were moving at a pretty good clip - Were the "Blow Downs" cleared on the trail or do they still need to be cleared out?

Thanks for the report and the pics!!

There were a few blowdowns on the trail to Buena Vista but that was it. I'm not sure about the mess before Washburn that was out there in June as I bypassed it by going down Red Peak Fork. I would guess they cleared that up by now but who knows.

Chris



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/2012 10:20PM by ckm554.