Rock Creek Canyon, Eastern Sierras CA

After the July 4th Holiday, we leave Stone's Throw cabin mid morning to start working our way home via the "scenic route."

Doug and Holly wave good-bye

Last look at Sawtooth Ridge

Our first stop is in Monmoth Lakes CA which is a thriving year round resort area. We choose Burger's Restaurant in town for lunch because Peter had a good meal there several years ago. Apparently it's under new management, which is unfortunately more into efficiently getting people served and out the door, BUT not so much into the quality of the food. Mammoth is the closest large ski area to Los Angeles. Consequently it's overbuilt and caters to big city folks.

Life sized Mammoth statue

Cutesy tourist transport

We turn back to Hwy 395 and head south. At Tom's Place we turn west into the mountains on Rock Creek Road. There are several campgrounds along this road and we pick a smaller first-come, first-served one and then drive up to the end of the road to explore the lake.

Rock Creek Road

Fisher woman at Rock Creek Lake

Camped along Rock Creek

The crowds have left after the holiday so we are able to get a campsite right next to the aptly named Rock Creek.
After a short hike we hang out around our campsite before dinner. I meet the couple across the road. They are into GeoCaching ... that is, locating a secret hidden objects by GPS clues. Much to my surprise they tell me the Extraterrestrial Highway is one of the most heavily geocached roads in the USA.

Peter rests after our hike

Jeff shows off his own design for hooking high geocaches

Marie hangs out with her puppies

For our wedding anniversary, Peter treats us to dinner at the Restaurant at Convict Lake. Convict Lake was named in 1871 when a group of escaped convicts were tracked down by a posse from Benton. The convicts were eventually apprehended but only after killing posse member Robert Morrison who Mount Morrison is named after.

Road into Convict Lake Resort

Convict Lake

Deer hides in brush at campground

This much praised restaurant, does not disappoint. The food is excellent even if they did get cleaned out of fresh trout by the holiday crowds.

Next time - I'm getting a real fresh trout

Peter checking out the menu

Yummm

After dinner, we are treated to a "golden hour" drive back to our campsite along Rock Creek.

The next morning we decide to follow one of Holly's recommendations. She has been saying we "must go" to the Pie in the Sky Cafe at the Rock Creek Lakes Resort for slices of their fresh homemade pies. After the ritzy Resort at Convict Lake, this little resort isn't much to look at... but the pies, ohhh that's another matter. Peter orders an apple crunch slice while I choose the fresh boysenberry. WARNING - you'll walk away with your body crying for more. Yes - salad days are in store for us once we get back home.

Giant Sequoia

Unassuming Rock Creek Lake Resort

Morning list of fresh pies

Happily filled with pie and coffee, we set our navigation system for home.

Through Lee Vining

Back up Tioga Pass

on a grey day.

Even though the holiday is over, we still have to wait in a line to enter Yosemite National Park. We amuse ourselves by watching a Canadian couple set up a "selfie" of themselves next to the park's entrance sign.

Canadian "selfie"

Waiting at eastern entrance to Yosemite

Crowds are a headache to this ranger

Lone visitor at Tuolumne Meadows

High Sierra granite

Kids at Olmsted Point

Parked at overlook

View at Olmsted Point on a cloudy day

Since it's not very crowded, we drive into the valley for a picnic lunch along the Merced River. The usually spectacular Yosemite and Bridal Veil Falls are looking pretty pitiful in this drought year.

Empty Bear Trap at picnic area

Yosemite Falls

The always impressive Half Dome

The heat is mostly gone from the Central Valley as we cross around sunset before climbing back over Pacheco Pass and home.

Sunbeams through high clouds

Crimson sunset

4th July 2014 - Twin Lakes, Eastern Sierras CA

On July 4th, I resolve to get up early to catch the morning light on the lakes. The Lower Twin is so calm it's surface is like a mirror reflecting the sky and surrounding mountains.

Fishermen are up early too

Canoes on shore await their owners

Sooo glassy

Holly needs to talk to the "Colonel" (nickname used by a retired flight surgeon from the Army reserves) who is staying in his family cabin across the street.   Being my usual curious self, I follow Holly over for a closer look at their cabin. Like others in the neighborhood, this cabin was originally built by the Colonel's father and his family is still enjoying it today.

The Colonel's family cabin

Holly & the Colonel discuss business

Beautiful view of the lake from inside

This cabin is completely off the grid with no electricity and only rudimentary running water...  it's completely old school as in the Zen saying "chop wood and carry water." For reasons beyond us, the family has elected to remain off the grid, without even using propane or solar panels for hot water or electricity.

It's quickly apparent the father believed in the basics - "hunt'n' & fish'n'." In fact, his first fishing license dated 1941 is framed and hanging on the wall as well as fishing poles and bows for hunting.

Wood burning cook stove

Ice box houses blocks of ice

Kerosene lanterns for light

Fishing poles ready for use

Everything you'd need for a major family gathering

Of course there's some drinking and celebrating to be done after the fish are caught (or maybe as consolation if none are caught). The Colonel shows us a guest book still in use since the family first moved in. The following entry from 1959 captures the sentiment of the entries:

"Mighty fine place to spend time and rest. Hope you will always have fun up here."

Cabin Fever whiskey

Cabin guest book

Cock 'n Bull whiskey

Since we've already been to the Bridgeport parade in both 2011 and 2012, we decide on a hike instead. The morning is starting to wear on, so Peter and I take off before it gets too hot. We choose a trail that will take us above the lakes for better views.

Beginning section

About 500' above upper Twin we can see a large glacier carved bowl

Peter checks out the lower Twin

By the time we reach 1000' above the lakes both the altitude and 90 F degree weather is starting to wear on our tender sea level bodies. So we stop and snap photos before heading back.

Upper Twin

Lower Twin

After lunch and resting, we pile into the Subaru bound for Travertine Hot Springs just south of Bridgeport CA. We've been there before but it was at night many years ago.

Travertine Hot Springs sign

Bubble, bubble toil and trouble

Small pool closest to parking

Travertine deposits from a dried up spring

Mother Nature's aqueduct

Pool voted best by Lonely Planet

With the main pool being crowded, we look for a smaller more private one Holly knows about.

Mineral deposits flow towards the Sierras

Ahh... here's the one we've been looking for

Holly & Peter soak their feet

When we've had enough, we head back to the cabin to prepare a proper 4th of July BBQ.

Garden Genome greets us back

Red, white & blue potatoes of course

Doug watches the preparations

As the evening settles over Lower Twin we watch a line of headlights from cars returning from Bridgeport