BajaNomad - Little Lakes Valley- Controversy in this area added at the end

Little Lakes Valley- Controversy in this area added at the end

DianaT - 6-14-2013 at 09:26 PM

Little Lakes Valley has been one of my favorite places to be for a very long time --- today was no different. It is a popular trail, so it is good to go early before the crowds. As the trail head starts at over 10,000, it has become our conditioning hike. It is a great trail to do when someone is in this area as it is beautiful and there are no real steep areas unless one continues on to Morgan Pass.

Driving up 395 out of Bishop, the road to Rock Creek Lake is just a bit past the top of the Sherwin Grade. It is by the famous Tom's Place. Tom's Place is still a popular place even though the main highway now passes a bit to the east.

Just a couple of images from a hike up Little Lakes Valley.

The trail

Our very old boy, Tom who feels that he is in doggie heaven

So much beauty around here and this was a dry year In wet years, the meadows are filled with absolutely magnificent alpine wildflowers. There are some here now, but nothing like what I have seen in the past.

An idyllic place to rest.

The water is so very cold and Maggie gets cold, but Tommy could stand there forever.

If you are in this area, be sure to visit this. It is the easiest way to experience one of the alpine areas of the Sierra Nevada

Thank you for looking

[Edited on 6-23-2013 by DianaT]

Ateo - 6-14-2013 at 09:50 PM

Are you kidding me? Is this place for real? Wow. Thanks. =)

Ateo - 6-14-2013 at 09:51 PM

and.....those photos were so great and are what ultimately lead me to ask, "Is this place for real?"

DianaT - 6-14-2013 at 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo
Are you kidding me? Is this place for real? Wow. Thanks. =)

That is how I feel every time I am there! :yes:

Frank - 6-14-2013 at 11:15 PM

#1 is my favorite, great composition! Thank you for adding more places to my list of must visits.

wessongroup - 6-15-2013 at 01:10 AM

Thanks again ...... looking good

Hook - 6-15-2013 at 06:40 AM

Probably my favorite hiking area in the Sierras. I've based camped at Fourth Recess Lake up above a couple times and fished the Mono Creek drainage and Pioneer Basin. Great area and a surprisingly easy entrance over Mono Pass.

Barry A. - 6-15-2013 at 07:33 AM

Great shots, Diane, of just one of the great Eastern Sierra haunts. I love the frameing and composure of the pics-----all of them.

We are coming over to Independence for 10 days for the 4th of July festivities, etc., and this is a good preamble to that trip.

Thank you.

Barry

Skipjack Joe - 6-15-2013 at 07:35 AM

Absolutely. Mono Creek had some excellent fishing in my day. I didn't realize this was from that area. We did a trip following the John Muir trail from Mammoth to Rock Creek, the last part going over Mono Pass to the paved road below. The best fishing of that trip was at Virginia Lake. That was some fine country up there.

TMW - 6-15-2013 at 09:50 AM

A beautiful place for sure. Thanks

DianaT - 6-15-2013 at 10:33 AM

Thanks for nice comments and for sharing memories. When I post a picture that brings back good memories for some, it really makes me smile. It is all about emotions. And if the picture puts a place on someone's bucket list, that is also good!

With your description Igor, I can just picture you standing on that edge. When my son was 16, he won a Western Outdoor News writing contest. The topic was the fightingest fish and while most wrote about big ocean fish, he wrote about catching a brook trout in a High Sierra stream.

Alpine lakes and streams are definitely among the best places in the world.

danaeb - 6-15-2013 at 10:48 AM

One of my all-time favorite campsites is in Iris Meadows campground, up the Tom's Place road. Pitch the tent five feet away from Rock Creek, under the pines - it's heaven. The trout think so too!

You captured the area beautifully, Diane. Once again, thanks for your lovely photos.

Bajahowodd - 6-15-2013 at 04:58 PM

Glad to see that you and John are taking advantage of your new location and its proximity to such wonderful places.

There was a time when we spent time in that area several times a year.

When are the Devil's Postpile photos coming?

Great pix.

DianaT - 6-15-2013 at 05:25 PM

Thanks to both of you.

Rock Creek is beautiful all the way and a peaceful place to camp.

There definitely will we no photos of Devil's Postpile until well after Labor Day!

:biggrin:

Barry A. - 6-15-2013 at 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

There definitely will we no photos of Devil's Postpile until well after Labor Day!

How come???--------is it still snowed in??? I thought the snow pack was minimal this year?? We love the "postpile" area (and all of it, really).

Barry

DianaT - 6-15-2013 at 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

There definitely will we no photos of Devil's Postpile until well after Labor Day!

How come???--------is it still snowed in??? I thought the snow pack was minimal this year?? We love the "postpile" area (and all of it, really).

Barry

After Labor Day --- fewer people after school starts and family vacations end and unless things have changed, the shuttle will be done. It is a magnificent area.

Snow pack is VERY low. Hopefully next year it will be better.

[Edited on 6-16-2013 by DianaT]

Barry A. - 6-15-2013 at 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

There definitely will we no photos of Devil's Postpile until well after Labor Day!

How come???--------is it still snowed in??? I thought the snow pack was minimal this year?? We love the "postpile" area (and all of it, really).

Barry

Ahhhh, I now get your meaning. Crowds have never bothered me that much in the wilds (dislke them in the cities, tho)----the Geography overwhelms any "crowds", and I just work around them. :lol:

BArry

Barry

Hook - 6-15-2013 at 06:23 PM

Barry, I understand Diane's reluctance in the Postpile area. The whole Red's Meadow/Rainbow Falls/Postpile area is such a zoo now, with the mandatory shuttles (for some!) and all. Now, its been a few years but the shuttles are still mandatory, aren't they, unless you have camping, packing reservations or a trailhead permit? Or, I believe you can drive in in a private car before a certain hour of the morning.

It's fallen victim to being too beautiful and too accessible.

[Edited on 6-16-2013 by Hook]

tripledigitken - 6-15-2013 at 07:28 PM

Diane,

Thanks for taking us along on your hike. Really enjoyed the photos.

Ken

DianaT - 6-15-2013 at 07:38 PM

Barry,
I really understand the difference between city crowds and crowds out in nature. For example, the Little Lakes Valley trail is very popular. Early morning there are locals and their dogs. A little later, there are the vacationers with many children. It is all enjoyable as the locals would not be anywhere else and have very happy dogs. The vacationers are ones who love the outdoors and love introducing their children to something far more meaningful that the latest video game. It is all good.

Hook, we really prefer to drive down there on our own, so we will wait. It really does become crowded, but I love it when I see hoards of children discovering such a place.

Ken you can come hiking with us anytime! We took these with John's Canon Rebel. My 40D is still working only part of the time --- still deciding on the next camera step. :-)

Oh, we do have photos of Devil's Postpile from before---but we will wait until we have new ones. :-)

[Edited on 6-16-2013 by DianaT]

Ken Bondy - 6-15-2013 at 08:44 PM

Gorgeous place, beautifully photographed. Bravo Diane!!!

Barry A. - 6-15-2013 at 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Barry, I understand Diane's reluctance in the Postpile area. The whole Red's Meadow/Rainbow Falls/Postpile area is such a zoo now, with the mandatory shuttles (for some!) and all. Now, its been a few years but the shuttles are still mandatory, aren't they, unless you have camping, packing reservations or a trailhead permit? Or, I believe you can drive in in a private car before a certain hour of the morning.

It's fallen victim to being too beautiful and too accessible.

[Edited on 6-16-2013 by Hook]

Sad, but I am sure you are right, Hook. It's been years since I have actually been there to Reds Meadow. (like 30 years + - ?)

Barry

How I would fish this spot

Skipjack Joe - 6-16-2013 at 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

Where are the fish:

1. The dark shoal below the creek should have some fish looking for drifting bugs.
2. A few other brookies should be patrolling the shallows on the left feeding on insects on the bottom.
3. The largest amount of trout will be on the dropoff from the left margin to where the grass starts. Don't bother fishing past the grass.

Fishing the area:

It's critical to not step into the water where the picture was taken. Trout sense the disturbance, see the floating sediment, and flee for cover. You may as well leave. Your fishing is over before it started.

Start out with a floating line with a really long leader and a #18 Parachute Adams. Kneel on the bank just to the left of the camera. Cast down the creek to the shoal below but pull back at the end of the cast so that the fly ends up where the creek just starts to empty into the shallows. Let fly drift all the way to the ledge before picking it up and repeating the cast. Something should rise and pick it off the surface. The bigger fish may be along along the grass bank. We're talking about 8" fish here.

After they stop rising to the dry fly back off and switch to a slow sinking clear line with a shorter leader. Tie on #16 nymph pattern. I like a pheasant tail soft hackle. Walk out into the water to the left of the picture. Cast across the shoal parallel to the bank and retrieve in quick 1 inch strips. This could get 1 or 2 fish. Wade out to the edge of the shoal and cast on the very edge of the shoal. Let sink to bottom and use slow hand-twist retrieve. Lengthen the casts until you cross the inflow to the grassy edge. Let the water flow carry the line across the edge as it sinks on the long casts. Most of the catch will be on at the far end of your cast.

Finally, cast fly 20 feet into blue water past the ledge and let sink to bottom (count to 30). Drag fly along the bottom up the slope of the ledge. Trout love to follow it until it's about to enter the shallows. Then they'll hit it.

Thank you for these moments of vicarious pleasure.

DianaT - 6-16-2013 at 12:13 PM

Thanks Ken for the nice comment, it is appreciated.

Igor, you painted a beautiful picture, thank you. :yes:

Mexitron - 6-17-2013 at 05:11 AM

Thanks for the preview Diane---that's where we're headed this weekend!

DianaT - 6-17-2013 at 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexitron
Thanks for the preview Diane---that's where we're headed this weekend!

ENJOY --- take lots of pictures. :yes:

Major Controversy in this Area

DianaT - 6-23-2013 at 10:08 AM

Major Controversy in this area that could affect those of you who love this area.

The Forest Service wants to declare almost 2 million acres as critical habitat for three endangered amphibians --- mainly the High Mountain Yellow Legged Frog. This would include the Rock Creek Area, the Bishop Creek water shed, Big Pine watershed, Onion Valley and more.

POSSIBLE results for the local area. And these are just possibilities. They are really down on the the stocking of trout because this frog has a 2 year tadpole stage.

1. No more planting of trout
2. No more grazing permits
3. No more pack trains
4. The closure of some areas to everyone.

Of course, IF it all happens, it would create real economic problems for this area that depends a lot on the tourists.

Nothing has been finalized, and as you can imagine, people around here are fighting it including the Inyo County Supervisors. For anyone interested, here is a link to more information and a place to comment.

http://www.inyoplanning.org/projects/USFW_YellowLeggedFrog.htm

Personally, I have some very mixed feelings about all of this. Just thought some of you might be interested

[Edited on 6-23-2013 by DianaT]

Barry A. - 6-23-2013 at 10:55 AM

"interested" is putting it mildly!!! I had not heard this before.

In my opinion, the US Forest Service's priotities have always been problematic, but this latest proposal is absurd!!!! It would crush the local economy of an area that has suffered for years due to LA's removal of most of the water from the area, and ownership & control of much of the land in Owens Valley--------just crazy, and all to protect a FROG, etc.?????? Nuts!!!! It would put several business's OUT OF BUSINESS, period.

Barry

DianaT - 6-23-2013 at 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
"interested" is putting it mildly!!! I had not heard this before.

In my opinion, the US Forest Service's priotities have always been problematic, but this latest proposal is absurd!!!! It would crush the local economy of an area that has suffered for years due to LA's removal of most of the water from the area, and ownership & control of much of the land in Owens Valley--------just crazy, and all to protect a FROG, etc.?????? Nuts!!!! It would put several business's OUT OF BUSINESS, period.

Barry

I am surprised that you had not heard about this. Did you look at the website and read the letter from the Inyo County Supervisors?

They are accepting comments up to 9PM tomorrow on that website. While I said I have mixed feelings about some things, I really do think this is major over kill --- 2 million acres? So you might want to post your comments.

The Forest Service does a lot of good, but there are the ones who would really like to fence all access to the Sierra Nevada that is more than 2 miles or so off of 395. Balance is not in their vocabulary.

I will u2u you about the Fish and Game sting operation on opening weekend that caused major push back!

willardguy - 6-23-2013 at 11:10 AM

the link doesnt work?

DianaT - 6-23-2013 at 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy
the link doesnt work?

I think I fixed it --- thanks

Skipjack Joe - 6-23-2013 at 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

... just crazy, and all to protect a FROG, etc.?????? Nuts!!!!

Unfortunately it's not about A frog.

The disease killing these frogs is the same one that's wiped out most of the frogs in the tropical rain forests of Costa Rica. These colorful animals were responsible for some of the ecotourism in that country. Can't remember where I read it but they are hoping that some individuals have the genetic makeup to resist the pathogen and the populations will bounce back.

I'm not sure how these measures will provide protection from this disease.

http://www.mylfrog.info/threats/disease.html

As for predation. They should just isolate certain lakes that have poor recreational value, rotetone(?) them, and reintroduce the frogs. But that's just a simplistic opinion from just a few readings. We've done this for pike eradication. Perhaps the same can be done for them as well.

Barry A. - 6-23-2013 at 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

Quote:

I have already mailed my views into the Inyo Country Planning Dept. a few mins. ago------thank you , Diana, for the "link". It worked fine for me. Now I will open your U2u.

SkipJack--------thank you for the additional info on this------interesting to say the least. I need to know more, obviously.

Barry

Bwana_John - 6-23-2013 at 12:05 PM

Perhaps we could reintroduce sheep grazing to the High Sierra Backcountry, and reopen the Morgan Pass ROAD (Little Lakes Valley "trail") to tungsten mining truck traffic.

Not all closures and changes in land use are necessarily bad.

Many parts of the southern sierra already have seasonal closures for Bighorn Sheep.

DianaT - 6-23-2013 at 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

... just crazy, and all to protect a FROG, etc.?????? Nuts!!!!

The report does talk about disease and also the effect climate change is having. It says less about adverse effects of recreation which is what is upsetting so many people because of the POSSIBLE effect tourism. I am in favor of protecting endangered species and stopping the spread of disease, but two million acres really does seem like overkill, IMHO. It did say something about the damage fishermen do to lake shores needs to be studied as to how it degrades the environment. There just needs to be a balance and I hope they can find common ground.

The planting of fish has always been controversial as this practice wiped out native trout. There are people who want to see it stop for other reasons than this protection plan.

DianaT - 6-23-2013 at 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bwana_John
Perhaps we could reintroduce sheep grazing to the High Sierra Backcountry, and reopen the Morgan Pass ROAD (Little Lakes Valley "trail") to tungsten mining truck traffic.

Not all closures and changes in land use are necessarily bad.

Many parts of the southern sierra already have seasonal closures for Bighorn Sheep.

Some of those closures are being lifted in Sheep area. And I fully agree that not all closures are bad. For example, it is great to see the work they have done in the Whites to block off former roads and places where off-roaders created roads. Same is happening in the Sierras off the main dirt roads many spurs are closed to vehicles. I just would not want to see overkill in blocking off the back country to people. Now frankly, and this is not a popular thought around here, I don't like the horses in the back country or the grazing.

As you know, there many former mining roads in the Sierra that are now hiking trails, and that is a good thing!

It will be interesting to see what they decide.

[Edited on 6-23-2013 by DianaT]

mtgoat666 - 6-23-2013 at 12:41 PM

prohibiting grazing is usually beneficial for the land. i have seen so many public lands damaged by over grazing, really a shame!

DianaT - 6-23-2013 at 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
prohibiting grazing is usually beneficial for the land. i have seen so many public lands damaged by over grazing, really a shame!

Over grazing is not good. However, there is one person who is arguing that grazing is GOOD for the frogs because it keeps the grass shorter and makes it easier for the little frogs.

I have no idea if that makes any sense at all.

vgabndo - 6-23-2013 at 01:42 PM

I believe that grazing must always be first to be addressed. Anyone who has spent a lot of time flying across the western US knows that it is possible to see a barbed wire fence from as high as 40,000 feet.
More accurately, the effect of the fence. The grazed side is the deader looking side. I've had a lot of claustrophobic hours (first coach window seat ahead of the wing, shady side depending on East or Westbound.) to study and reinforce my conclusion. :lol:

I find it difficult to recognize the scope of the damage at ground level. Except...

We have lots of lakes around here. The frogs used to be deafening sometimes. Not really ever anymore.

wessongroup - 6-23-2013 at 02:01 PM

Feed lots ........... just saying

Historic Area Closures

Bwana_John - 6-23-2013 at 03:18 PM

During World War Two this entire area (upper Rock Creek, Pine Creek, Mt Tom, Wheeler Crest, Morgan Pass, Pine Creek Pass) was closed for the duration of the war to everyone except Tungsten Mine employees and their familys, and horsepacked fishing and hunting trips with approved packer only because of the strategic importance of tungsten.

[Edited on 6-23-2013 by Bwana_John]

durrelllrobert - 6-23-2013 at 03:42 PM

Quote:

Don't criticize those yellow bellied pot lickers. They to may become an endangered species.

wessongroup - 6-23-2013 at 03:55 PM

My dad started taking us kids up to Bishop Creek after the war ... think I was around 5 at the time 47-48...... used to be able camp across the creek, prior to the construction of the small bridge above Parchers Camp a mile or two ....... used to just drive across the creek

In the mid sixties after getting out of the service ...... went up there and found the water had been contaminated from the "outhouses" which had been put in and used for years ........ ya don't see many "outhouses" any more

Hard to get a balance when the traffic is so high ...... think the roads might have changed things a bit ..... over the years, used to be quite a trip in the old 37 Chevy with a box trailer ..... my mom didn't like it all that much ..... but, my sister, brother and I, just loved it ....... Big Hoppy fan :lol:

Mexitron - 6-24-2013 at 10:38 AM

We made it! My brother taking the plunge into Chickenfoot lake.

Beautiful place

One of the Bristlecone tribe--- Foxtail Pine...Pinus balfouriana I think.

DianaT - 6-24-2013 at 12:14 PM

Your brother is CRAZY --- that water is COLD, VERY COLD. I try to soak my bad knees for just a few minutes and it is as good as putting on an ice pack!

Really glad you made it!

Mexitron - 6-24-2013 at 12:25 PM

He said as soon as his head hit the water he had an ice cream headache!