Cathedral Lakes

I suddenly found myself with some extra time and a trip to Mammoth Lakes with the fiance. Which, you know, is only an hour from Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. I picked a hike that could be done in a small amount of time but still challenge me just a bit - Cathedral lakes.

The trail, once it flattens, offers views of the edges of Cathedral Peak and is dotted with lodgepole pines and mountain hemlock (western).

Often the trail is lined with small grasses and delicate flowers that resemble a miniature meadow. My thoughts would wander to the ride on the Storybook Land canal boats at Disneyland and the amazing tiny forests they create. Lupine was also abundant, towering over the carpeted ground. The sky couldn't be any bluer collapsing into the giant slabs of granite that lined the horizon.

Crossing the meadow just before the lake(s), the landscape turns into a rainbow. The polished granite outcrops, ribboned with deep reds, contrast against the green grasses. Their burgundy tops sway in the wind while a small stream reflects the cobalt sky. Pale greens, yellowed grasses and grey soil add to the palette, as one color blends into the next.

The lake was breathtaking (so named Cathedral Lake(s) for the nearby Cathedral Peak). The air blew cool through the saddle across the lake - respite for the hot hiker. I walked along the lake for a short bit with the pure excitement of the experience, finally settling down near the middle for lunch. I try to give people their privacy so I positioned myself away from the other hikers. I can't say that others give the same courtesy and I was a bit peeved at the two idiots that made their way right in front of me (where every other word was "f*ck", which is not the word I would choose when surrounded by glorious beauty).

Now for the trail details:
The trailhead is just a short distance (west) of the Visitor Center. There isn't a
"parking lot" but plenty of parking on the side of the road and a visible sign for the trailhead. The hike is moderate and quick at 7 miles R/T. I managed it in 3 hours excluding my lunch time. The first 3/4 mile is uphill and rocky, not much to look at. The trail is heavily used, as the first 3 miles is on the JMT (John Muir Trail).
After the initial ascent, the trail begins to even out and is downright flat at times. There is a decent ascent near the halfway mark (where I saw lots of people strugglin on my way down); at the top it again evens out and is mostly downhill or flat the remaining mile. All in all it is suitable for most ages and can be taken slow to accommodate various fitness levels. I saw ages 7-70 on the trail today.

Gear - I wore my Brooks Cascades (trail runners) but I would have preferred a boot. I happen to be nursing a huge blister and chose the runners for that reason. There is a lot of silt and sand and some rocky areas which is why I'd recommend the boots. Still, you can get away with athletic shoes easily. I do not have any soreness from excessive rocks, etc. I also carried three liters of water, blister kit, ultralight first aid kit, survival kit, camera, lunch (with extra snacks, just in case), a .357 magnum pistol with extra rounds, a cooling tie, and some basic toiletries/medications (inhaler, aspirin, etc). I felt the need to bring all of this because I hiked alone. I definitely would have left some of that in the car or bear box if I had a hiking partner.

The back side of Cathedral Peak



Flat ground



Cathedral Peak



Cathedral Meadow



Cathedral Peak from the lake



Cathedral Lake

Baden Powell

Sunday we finally made it to the top of Mt. Baden Powell.
I consider it a preparatory hike. While it's impressive at 8 miles r/t with a 2700 ft elevation gain, it is only HALF of the elevation gain of our planned hike to Idaho's Borah(slotted for late August)in the same mileage.

The hike was amazingly not difficult. Two things that began to affect my ascent at about mile 3. I felt some rubbing in my heel, which made no sense to me. I have been hiking in my Asolos for several years now and these were new hot spots. The others (more predictable ones) always develop on the descent. I had Teyla with me, so I decided to press on to the Waldron tree (limbar pine) and apply some moleskin there. Somehow in Sequoia my blister kit transferred to the fiance's pack, and he somehow left it on the kitchen table that morning. So... I was SOL. I was favoring my heels so then I began to feel some knee/hip pain, but I knew it was due to changes in my gait.

I waited about 30 minutes at the Waldron and enjoyed apples with Teyla. It was refreshingly cold, but at times I was chilled so much I sought out the sun and protection from the wind. Fiance arrived and rested a few more and we headed to the top.

Views at the top were amazing and I did note that there were no bees (unlike the last time we did this trail). There was a place to camp that I had not noticed before - occupied by some backpackers. The wind was not nearly as chilling as along the spine (near the Limbar pine tree), so it was an enjoyable place to have lunch and take in the sights. Mount San Antonio (AKA Baldy) was beckoning, Rancho looked cloudy/hazy, and the views of the HD were fantastic. The limbar pines are pretty cool, too.

I limped most of the way down (so did the fiance after rolling his ankle) which warranted a trip to the Chiropractor today. I very much dislike the descents and today was no exception.

The blister kit has been added to the list of things to bring for Borah. The largest one is pretty bad, but all in all I feel really great about this hike. I didn't experience any soreness the next day and I feel refreshed.

Some information on the hike:
Trailhead is out of Vincent Gap in Angeles National Forest, about 10 miles west of Wrightwood. The sign says 3.7 miles at trailhead, but later you see you've gone 3.8 miles at the junction to Dawson Saddle. Here you have about .2 miles to the summit. The limbar pines are very old; the Wally Waldron tree is estimated at 1500 years old. They are burly pines with thick trunks and thin branches. There are about 40 switchbacks on the trail which makes the trail wonderfully steady. Watch the change in trees; you'll go from oaks to firs to sugar pines and finally on to the limbars.

About the Wally Waldron Tree

The fiance & Teyla



View of the HD



Tey & I by the Lord Baden Powell monument.