July 25 - Convict Lake

Another sunny, mid-70s day. Final day in Mammoth as tomorrow I start making my way back to Reno to start Phase 2 of my journey.

My plan for the day is to hike Parker Lake but in the back of my head I'm thinking of going back to hike the right side of Saddlebag Lake (flat around 4 miles).

I head to Parker Lake but when I get to the parking lot, it's small; there's a person that has made camp in the lot,  another couple large trucks, etc. Not alot of organized parking. I'm not feeling it so I'm bailing. I'm heading to Saddlebag Lakes.

When I get to Hwy 120, I remember I don't have a lunch but I start up the road. Part way there, I decide I'm turning around and heading to Covict Lake. I've been there before but never got very far. Today I will.

I arrive at the Lake and it's busy. I easily find parking in the Day Lot. It's a beautiful day! Water is clean and beautiful.

Exiting parking down a spur trail to the lake, I see a Behr Hairstreak and a Western Pygmy Blue. One of many Behr Hairstreaks I see today.

I make my way down to the lakeside trail to start my 2.5 mile loop. Heading clockwise (the shadier side of the lake).

Quite a few boats already on the lake; looks awesome!

Lots of veg surrounding the trail. The trail has some short up and downs but overall easy. To get down to the lake from the trail in some spots looks very sketchy but there are quite a few fishers out there.

A few flowers around.

I finally reach the end of the lake beneath the mountains I've been staring at since I started. Lots of trees and I traverse it on a boardwalk. The boardwalk appears required to handle the Spring melt. In fact, I still have to cross a couple of small streams on the far side. 

I stop in one spot and see a trout near the shoreline.

Time to start the opposite side of the trail which is in full sun and surrounding by lots of sagebrush. 

Running into traffic coming in the opposite direction now so I take a minute to look back.

Come across one horse train. I step off the trail and as the 1st rider goes by, she suggests I take another step off so I don't get kicked. I comply - I hate horses!

See more Behr Hairstreaks but and one Blue but she flies - I'm assuming its a Blue Copper (proper habitat).

Soon I'm passing the marina (which is crowded) and back at my car. The lot is filling up but still has spots.



Lovely day. 

Totals: 2.8 miles, 243 feet

Excited to be moving on tomorrow!

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