July 22 - Bennettville Loop (CA)

I head for the park entrance and I have to wait 5 minutes or so to exit as they are using both lanes for incoming traffic. There's a nice line outside the gate when I exit.

Bennettville just east of the pull-out on the west side of Ellery Lake. It's about 10:30 now. After a quick potty break, I move my car to what looks like trail parking. I'm the only car.

Bennettville is a former settlement and ghost town. Mining began in 1860 and the 1st mine named Tioga. Many mines were built but no silver was ever found. Town was a ghost town by 1890.

I'm not sure what to expect but I go past 3 lakes to a cabin. There's a spur trail that I want to take to another lake.

That's the plan anyway.

I start up the trail. Lots of flowers but it's rocky open country. The trail starts as an old road before converting to a well-marked trail.

Lots for great views from the rocky section.

And then the trail enters the woods.

There's a wet spot with White Bog Lilies and Elephanthead. (Surprised to see these.)

I also find these wonderful orange lilies (Sierra Lilies) - they have to be native right? (I find them in 2 other spots along the trail. And yes, native.)

It's slow going because there are butterflies - yea! More on those later.

I pass each of the 3 lakes. I'm not sure which one this is but...

I turn the corner from Lake #3 and the trail starts going downhill. I'm not far from the cabin but no downhill because that means uphill and my legs are already tired. (And I'm hungry).

So I turn around and look for a lunch spot. None at #3 (no shade) but there is shade at lake #2. It's a bit off-trail but not by much. I make my nest and have lunch.

Time to keep heading back. On the way back, I explore around the lakes for butterflies and I'm very successful.

This is what I've seen:

- Edith Copper

- Lustrous Copper

- Ruddy Copper

- Lilac Bordered Copper

- Unknown Frit

- Clodius Parnassian

- Field Crescent

- Acmon Blue - Obviously not fresh -- this is an iNaturalist ID.

- Hoary Comma

- Sierra Sulphur

Back at the parking lot, there's a Bald Eagle flying over Lake Ellery. Way cool!

Total mile for today between the 3 hikes: 5.12 miles 629 ft.

And as I'm about ready to pull out onto the hwy, there is a deer crossing the road. It's after noon; what is she out still roaming around for?

I still have time I can kill so I head to scan the Saddlebag Lakes road for flyer but I'm unsuccessful. :(

Again I head for the Mono County Park for a break. I find out the Tufa trail is closed; boardwalk burnt in the fire.

Incredible day -- definitely NOT what I had plannned but deer, butterflies, bald eagle, great flowers and views - how can I complain.

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