Monday, November 2, 2009

Shadow Lake--My World

Each September we join friends at Mammoth Lakes. These are the people we hiked with when we lived in LA and we gathered this weekend for good hiking, good food, good wine and good conversation.
Mammoth Lakes has a great winter ski resort as well as hiking, biking and fishing for the summer visitors.
The Shadow Lake trail begins at Agnew Meadows. Although we access it from the east side of the Sierra, the trail is on the west side of the divide near the headwaters of the San Joaquin River.
Shadow Lake was my first backpack, over 45 years ago. It was also the second backpack for our sons when they were 9 and 11. It also makes a great day hike.
These basalt cliffs hint at the volcanic past of this area.
looking back the way we came, you can see Mammoth Mountain.
I love these tortured junipers you find in the Sierra.
The cascades indicate that our goal is near.
There it is, just beyond the trees
Shadow Lake.
If you enlarge you can see the top of the gondola and chair 23. I had better put my camera away and get moving or Audry will beat me back, one of our hosts for the weekend she is 20 years my senior and still going strong.

One could easily combine this hike with a visit to Devil's Postpile. In the summer the same shuttle from Mammoth Lodge serves both.

Find more worlds here.

26 comments:

Chubby Chieque said...

What a stunning post, Lady. Loving every photos you share with us.

Looks fantastic where u r.

hugs...

Carolyn Ford said...

That looks like a wonderful wilderness hike! What a reward at the end! Beautiful lake! I'll have to remember Shadow Lake and visit there the next time we are up that way...

Unknown said...

Great set of photos!

Ginnymo said...

Your world sure is beautiful!!

Barb said...

Hi Martha, These shots of Mammoth (where I've also visited) are stunning! I love the Juniper and the cascading falls. I enlarged to see the gondola - great photo. Those rock formations are formidable.

Dirkjogt said...

Lookes like a great place for hiking, wonderfull pictures!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Martha: That was a beautiful trip into the mountains. I loved the trees.

Unknown said...

Your photo make me ant to don my hiking shoes...but first I need to board a plane heading for those beautiful trails.

Sylvia K said...

Fantastic shots, as always, Martha! Absolutely stunning place to hike and in spite of bad knees, I'm ready!!

Enjoy your week!

Sylvia

My name is Riet said...

What a beautiful place to be and lovely photo's

Snap said...

Beautiful post, love the water and the reflections and Everything!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

What a great hike. Way to get out there and hump the boonies. I'm so jealous. Great pictures also.

Carver said...

What a beautiful place for a hike. Great shots. The cascades are a great marker that the goal is near.

Nina said...

What a magnificent hike!! Breathtaking. Thank you for taking us on the hike with you and sharing your journey. I love the photo's! Again Thank you. Blessings to you and yours. Love and Light, Nina P

Oman said...

breath-taking scenery. i would definitely have the time of my life there.

magiceye said...

that was such a lovely hike! thank you!

Amanda Moore said...

If I could get anymore jealous I would be in my car on my to find you up there! But I would have to stop in Big Bear first cuz its my fave. These are stunning photos you did such a lovely job!

PERBS said...

Love Shadow lake! The Juniper Tree is awesome also. Lovely hike you had -- wish I had been along!

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Beautiful scenery, Martha. And a lovely set of photos. That juniper is amazing!
Janice.

Ebie said...

I have missed this part of our trip. This will be in our next agenda!

Gaelyn said...

This is such inviting country. Love the diversity.

??? said...

So much beauty in one post! Thanks for sharing your hike.
About the ha-ha ni my post: it slopes fairly gently, so you won't fall in (but there are ha-has that are much steeper)

Janie said...

I went to Mammoth to ski once. It's beautiful in summer, too! Thanks for the great photos from your hike.

George said...

Thanks for taking us along on your hike. The photos are beautiful.

Irene said...

This is such an uplifting landscape. Thank you for sharing.

Carol said...

Your world is stunning Martha... very spectacular! I love those twisted Junipers too. Gorgeous photos everyone! Those cascading waterfalls... unbelievable! Wonderful hike. Carol