Corralitos to Twin Lakes, Eastern Sierras CA

This year we are heading back to the eastern Sierras to celebrate the July 4th Holiday at Holly and Doug's cabin "Stone's Throw" on Lower Twin Lake outside of Bridgeport CA. To beat the crowds, we're traveling several days before the main holiday gets underway. We start by going over Pacheco Pass east bound.

Signs for Casa de Fruta

Up Pacheco Pass

On the eastern side of the summit, we pass by the San Luis Reservoir, which is much dryer than when we passed it earlier this year in January. This extreme drought year has us all praying for a good El Nino soaking for winter. Just past the reservoir we see a horrific accident in the center divider - a sobering sight for the beginning of any trip.

Driest on record ?

Texting too much?

Although it's still morning, the temperatures start to push up into the high 80's and low 90's in the Central Valley. We hope to get across and into the Sierras before it gets too hot.

Classic California farm

Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge

Up into the Sierra foothills

After winding our way up through the foothills, the road then descends into the Merced River Canyon. Even though we're around 5000' in elevation, this narrow canyon cooks in the summer sun and temperatures rise even higher than in the Central Valley.

Entering Merced River Canyon

109 degrees F - HOT!

Merced River skirting a large slide covering the hwy

Even though we're climbing into Yosemite National Park, it's still around 100 degrees F when we cross the western boundary of the park.

No tall vehicles come through the El Portal entrance

Not many people - yet

No big trucks allowed through here

Cut off into Yosemite Valley

Traces of the Rim Fire

Road construction halt

The temperatures finally drop into a more comfortable range by the the time we reach the high country in the Sierras (over 8000').

View down into valley passing Olmsted Point

Ahhh - love the Sierra high country in the summer

Two climbers (can you spot them?) test themselves on Pywiack Dome

Tuolumne Meadows is pretty dry compared to three years ago

Tenaya Lake is warm enough to swim in this year

Small lake along Tioga Pass - Hwy 120

Yosemite Park exit

Ellery Lake

The volcanic terrain on the eastern side of the Sierras contrasts with the granite high country.

Volcanic peaks by Ellery Lake

Tioga Road descends into Mono Basin

Mono Lake

We turn north on scenic Hwy 395 skirting the shoreline of Mono Lake. Since we're running late, we put off visiting Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve until another time.

Tufas on Mono Lake's northern shore

Tufa towers on Mono Lake's southern shore

Clouds build over a rocky ridge

Bridgeport prepares for July 4th

Matterhorn Peak in Sawtooth Ridge

In Bridgeport, we take Twin Lakes Road towards the Sawtooth Ridge.

Watch out for flying deer

Hunewill Ranch riders head back for dinner

Beware of Rudolf

Sawtooth Ridge

Yeah! We made it to Stone's Throw

Once at the cabin, we climb out of the van and head inside towards the martini party already in full swing on the back deck.

Kitchen

Kitsch

Hey - you're late to the party!