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On the Drive to Mammoth, August 2, 1997 - Photos taken on our drive from home to Mammoth Lakes.
San Joaquin Ridge, August 3, 1997 - A group of us led by Charles Rankin hiked from Minaret Summit up San Joaquin Ridge to a high point just south of Deadman Pass. The group included David and Bill Bushnell, Marc Regelbrugge and family, Jean-Guy, Charles Rankin, Ed Riks, and John Hutchinson and his adopted sons.
(distance: 5 miles; climbing: 1200 feet)
Mammoth Crest, August 4, 1997 - Charles Rankin led a large group of us on the Mammoth Crest loop. Participants included Charles Rankin, Bill and David Bushnell, Marc Regelbrugge and his family, John Hutchinson and his two adopted sons, Brian Dixon and his friend, and Jean-Guy.
(distance: 12 miles; climbing: 3300 feet)
Mono Lake and Panum Crater, August 6, 1997 - David and Bill Bushnell and John Rankin (Charles Rankin's brother) spent the day exploring Mono Lake and Panum Crater, near the south shore of Mono Lake.
White Mountains, August 7, 1997 - David Bushnell, Bill Bushnell, and John Rankin drove to Big Pine then up into the White Mountains to explore the Schulman Grove of old Bristlecone pines. Dry thunderstorms came over the area while we were hiking. We tried to catch the lightning bolts, but they were too quick.
Laws Railroad Museum, August 7, 1997 - On the way back from the White Mountains we (John Rankin, David Bushnell, and Bill Bushnell) had some time to visit the Railroad Museum in Laws.
The Minarets, August 9, 1997 - David Bushnell and Bill Bushnell awoke before dawn, ate breakfast, and drove over to Agnew Meadow before sunrise and were on the trail about a half-hour after the sky became light enough to see without a light.
We hiked from Agnew Meadows down to the River Trail (San Joaquin River) and continued past Olaine Lake while the forest was still in shade. We then turned toward Shadow Lake and climbed the slope to the lake where we saw the sun rise.
As we continued past Shadow Lake we met a ranger who took some convincing that we were day-hiking and had started before dawn.
We continued alongside Shadow Creek for another few miles until we got to a crossing where the swiftly-flowing water was 6-8 inches over the stepping stones. We decided to cross with our shoes on as the footing seemed uncertain in the flowing stream. But, of course, this meant wet feet for the remainder of our hike.
We pressed on to Ediza Lake where nature was still awakening to the day. After taking a few photos we continued up the trial to Iceberg Lake. The two lakes couldn't have felt more different, the latter being largely snowed-in and ice-covered. This latter condition gave us pause as we considered whether to continue on to Cecile Lake, the trail crossing an icy snow field whose slope was such that a slip might send one sliding precipitously into the icy maw of Iceberg Lake. When we considered that David was wearing boat shoes, we decided not to continue. Our original plan had been to hike past Cecile Lake and down to Minaret Lake and then down alongside Minaret Creek to Reds Meadow where we would catch the shuttlebus to take us back to Agnew Meadows.
We ate lunch, rested a bit more enjoying the scenery, and then returned back to Ediza Lake, the cold wet ford, past Shadow Lake, and back to Agnew Meadows, where we arrived just past 5p.
(distance: 14.8 miles; climbing: 2100 feet)
Mammoth Group Photo, August 7, 1997 - Group photo of most of the participants of this year's Mammoth Lakes trip.
All web site content except where otherwise noted: ©2024 Bill Bushnell
Background texture courtesy of Iridia's Backgrounds.
Please send comments or questions to the .