On August 23rd five of us departed Twin Lakes in Humboldt-Toiyabe Nat'l Forest on the Robinson Creek Trail for an intended 7-day, 6-night trip looping back to Twin Lakes. The Rim Fire was in play but reports were only a few thousand acres. That, of course, changed rapidly as we progressed. Below are selected photos for this post. At the end I've posted a link to all my photos for this trip.
Not far along the trail we came upon this grouse sitting on a rock surveying its domain and it had no intention of moving.
My four companions were all familiar members of this forum who had logged lots of back country experience. Since Mike (Olde Dude) was unable to make it, I had suddenly become the designated Olde Dude for this trip. My fellow hikers were basilbop, chick-on, Catalonian Burro, and JustKeepWalking.
After lunch at Barney Lake we headed up the long climb to the Peeler Lake intersection. I had not done any high country backpacking in two years and was now 68. Starting off with an immediate 2,600' ascent the 1st day was quite a re-introduction to the rigors of the High Sierra.
This is looking southwest from Barney Lake towards the climb ahead past Cirque Mt. and Crown Pt.
Our campsite destination was Crown Lake after passing Robinson Lakes. Crown already had campers so we continue up another 200' to a tarn above Crown Lake.
This is a view of the 2nd Robinson Lake w/ Kettle Peak.
Day #2 took us up another 850' past another beautiful tarn to Mule Pass and into Yosemite.
This is the last tarn w/ Mule Pass in the background.
Close-up of Mule Pass
Secret mountaintop landing strip--sorry, I don't recall its real name.
Sawtooth Range, Matterhorn Peak, Burro Pass
We began the long descent on the east side of Mule Pass and left the trail to continue down Slide Canyon. It was at the slide where we saw first signs of the Rim Fire smoke in the distance.
Rest stop above the slide.
Circumventing the slide. Photo is deceiving; many of these rocks are SUV size or larger.
Heading down Slide Canyon, smoke getting worse.
Small water canyon on Piute Creek
On the 2nd night, having eaten smoke all afternoon, we unanimously decided to change our hiking route and instead head west to Matterhorn Canyon and Spiller Canyon. This also reduced our trip time by one day. Our original plan was to go up Camp Creek and cross country to Tallulah Lake, Sister Lake, Surprise Lake, Rodgers Lake (w/ side trip up Volunteer Peak), Benson lake, Seavy pass, Kerrick Canyon, Peeler lake, and back out Robinson Creek. At this point heading west into denser smoke did not seem very appealing health wise and the views would have been disappointing.
2nd campsite at Camp Creek
Day #3 took us up the Camp Creek drainage where we had views of the other so-called Slide Mt. Yes, there are two of them within 3.5 miles of each other!
We topped out above Camp Creek and got our 1st view of Tallulah Lake in the distance.
On the next ridge east of Tallulah we spotted the smoke coming in again from the west as it did by mid-day everyday.
Smoke close-up, 10,000' mountain in center sits between Sister Lake and Surprise Lake.
View from top of ridge looking towards Benson Pass
From there we descended to the PCT below Benson Pass and down into Matterhorn Canyon for our 3rd campsite.
Chick-on w/ two new friends "ACE" and tomdisco in Matterhorn Canyon.
Day #4 included the climb out of Matterhorn Canyon, lunch at miller Lake, and descent into Spiller Canyon where we again ventured off trail leaving the PCT behind us.
Quarry Peak view while climbing out of Matterhorn Canyon.
Whorl Mt. in center, Twin Peaks to the right.
Approaching Miller Lake
"Ace" takes a stroll beside Miller Lake
Leaving Miller Lake
Spiller Canyon just north of the PCT stream crossing.
Day #5 brought us all the way up Spiller Canyon to just below Horse Creek Pass.
This was our first view of Whorl Mt. from Spiller Creek
Spiller Canyon beginning to open up.
Virginia Peak and Stanton Peak
Approaching Twin Peaks
Looking up towards Horse Creek Pass
5th day campsite between Whorl Mt. and Twin Peaks. Yes, that's smoke again!
Day #6 ascending to Horse Creek Pass
Whorl Mt.
Another Whorl Mt. close-up, reminiscent of Matthes Crest.
Tarn & snow field south side of Horse Creek Pass
The north side of Horse Creek Pass begins with a challenge for intermediate level backpackers, a very steep and delicate 150' descent over loose footing and rocks that can easily be dislodged. There are 2-3 different avenues one can attempt but the one to the far left is recommended. This descent drops into a hole at the foot of a talus pile and a large dirty snow field.
Foot of snow field
From that point onward the use trail fractures across seemingly endless talus fields down to Horse Creek. Horse Creek Pass to Twin Lakes is approximately a 3,600' descent.
Continuing talus field descent.
Horse Creek
Continuing the way down, smoke returning.
Junction of Horse Creek and Cattle Creek trails 1,500' above Twin Lakes
Horsetail Falls in smoke
Although I had planned to do a subsequent day hike and then a 4-day hike south of Tuolumne Meadows, my 68-year old body was screaming "no". Also, the reports on daily smoke invasion and poor visibility did not appear inviting. I did not realize it at the time but the 3,600' descent from Horse Creek Pass did a number on my lower legs and ankles. After a day trip to Bodie park and a rescheduled earlier flight home both legs and ankles swelled up. I even visited a foot specialist to see if there might be a hairline fracture. That proved negative but the right ankle still needed a brace for a couple weeks.
As rigorous a trip as this was for me after a 2-year absence, I would not trade it for anything. My hiking companions, all acquaintances as a result of this website, truly made this trip an absolute joy. One can not say enough in that respect. Thank you guys and gal. You're the best.
To view all my photos for this trip go to my Yosemite 2013 Album at http://yosemitephotos.net/main.php/v/tomdisco/Yosemite+2013/?
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/10/2013 07:17PM by tomdisco.
