The hike to Parker Lake is supposed to be one of the easiest hikes in the Eastern Sierras, and it was a beauty. Easy is a relative term. It was easy for the mountains, but there was still some elevation to be conquered. About 600 feet or so. My fitbit measured 74 flights, just to give you an idea. Its a hike at elevation too, over 9000 feet, so best to take it slow. Not hard to do when the views are what they are! Other than that, it was a very pleasant 4-mile or so round trip hike with spectacular scenery.
From the trailhead, the views across to Mono Lake and Mono Crater were amazing. As we began the hike, it was mostly uphill through high desert sagebrush. Thankfully, it was a little breezy and we were not bothered with bugs. The no-see-ums have been brutal!
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| the gravel road was in really good shape! |
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| view (looking back) from the start of our hike to Parker Lake....Mono Lake and the Mono Craters |
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| there's Punam Crater....we walked around the rim the other day (and Tom went to the magma plug) |
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| okay....starting up to Parker Lake |
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| before long...we entered the Ansel Adams Wilderness area |
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| staying hydrated in the high desert |
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| so sweet |
After a bit, the trail seemed to follow the creek and we could hear water rushing for some of our hike, even though we couldn't see it way down below us. The environment changed as we got higher...with many more trees and taller shrubs. It was really nice, and didn't disrupt our views of the mountains at all.
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| the beginning third (?) of the hike goes mostly up |
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| we just took our time and enjoyed the views (its high altitude here...don't want to overdo) |
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| it was just gorgeous no matter where you looked...and we could hear rushing water (streams and waterfalls) down below |
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| the trail started to level out now |
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| still in the sagebrush area though...a little warm (for some of us!) |
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| a peek at the rushing river |
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| the trees are just starting to leaf out now... |
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| huge pine cones! |
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| oh I guess we are still going up |
The trail eventually evened out and was very flat. We enjoyed walking through the pine forest, with the trail right next to the nicely flowing river for most of the time. It would be a great place to stop for lunch if you didn't want to eat at the lake. Just sayin'.
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| heading into the pine forest |
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| wow...that's a huge downed tree on the riverbank |
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| the water was crystal clear....lovely |
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| nice mountain stream |
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| see how clear! |
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| meanders through the forest |
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| a beautiful hike! |
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| there goes "Grace"....hahahha |
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| I know....but we are having fun, right? |
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| some of the trees are so tall! |
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| like this one |
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| and this one |
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| the rushing water was so refreshing...we were mostly walking along the stream once we hit the pines |
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| so nice |
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| not good...we saw a lot of this |
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| the trail goes right along the stream |
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| love the sound of it too:) |
Finally, we emerged from the forest and had an incredible view of the most turquoise blue water! A sight!! We stood at the lake for a long time, just taking it all in. Oh, and taking a million pics so we never forget what we saw. Haha.
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| Susie.....I do believe we are here!! |
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| check that out! |
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| Parker Lake, a beautiful alpine lake tucked in the mountains |
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| It was freezing here! A cold wind just whipped across that water |
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| breathtaking, isn't it? |
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| it was a little bit chilly!! |
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| a beauty! |
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| the colors were gorgeous on this fine sunny day |
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| great hike! |
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| we have to cross that stream to get to the other side |
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| this side is fine with me |
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| lunch...and we were speechless taking in the magnificent view |
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| a beautiful serene place |
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| lunchtime |
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| one more pic before we go....in case my memory fails someday (arg!) |
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| its windy and freezing here....and absolutely beautiful! smell the pine? |
It was much colder at the lake, with the chilly wind blowing down from the mountain, over the cold water and chilling us enough to put on our extra clothes! Glad I brought my jacket! Eventually, we ate our lunch...but really...we couldn't tear ourselves away from the mountain views and that gorgeous alpine lake.
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| Tom is trying to get warm...hahahaha |
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| ducks out there...bobbing in the white caps |
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| closeup |
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| I love that beautiful water! |
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| so clear |
It immediately got warmer as finally left the lake and headed back down the trail. I always like an out and back hike, rather than a loop, because the views are so much different on the way back. Even though you just walked it on the way there.
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| another sweet flower we spotted .... new to us |
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| ok....warming up again |
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| me too....it was only cold at the lake |
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| aspens haven't leafed out yet..must be gorgeous in the fall (they are all leaning one way-photo tropism!) |
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| its a jungle in some parts...hahhaha |
Once we got back out of the trees, we were in the high desert again, only this time going down. Much easier. And it really didn't seem that long at all. Before we knew it, we were back at the car.
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