July 26 - Confusion Day

 Well, I was expecting to be hiking Virginia Lakes today and then heading to Reno BUT good thing I checked my 

reservations because I have another day in Mammoth. What to do? I guess I'm heading to hike Parker Lake this morning.

Supposed to be another sunny day. Since I have no plans after the hike, I do not pack a lunch.

I got up early to be on the trail just after 7am as I'm expecting Saturday crowds. But as I head up 395 to the TH, there are some ominous darks clouds building where the TH should be. I get off at the exit anyway and stop at the gravel road. It looks nasty. I have a raincoat but no pants with me. I really don't want to hike in 45 degree rain. And maybe this is a sign that I'm not supposed to hike Parker Lake - didn't feel it yesterday and mother nature appears to be telling me something today. So I'm not hiking Parker Lake.

Now what am I going to do?

I could hike Saddlebag; the right side to Hummingbird lake. It's about 4.5 miles. But again it's a Saturday and more importantly I don't have a lunch. Not an option. But head that way anyway to check out those ominious clouds near the entrance of Yosemite. I make a stop at Ellery Lake. Lots of dark clouds and I hear thunder too.

I move down the mountain to hike Nunvat Trail again. Maybe I'll see a deer or bear. 40 degrees is very cool without sun so the light winter jacket goes on. There's stream rolling of the lakes. It's quiet and calm. It's dark to the south and blue sky to the north. Nothing happening along the trail except I scare the ducks on the far side of the second lake.

Nice walk but what to do next. Since Lundy Canyon is only 9 miles north, I decide to head up that way. From what I remember from last year, Lundy Lake is fabulous!

I pass Lundy Lake to check out Lundy Trail. Last year, the road was very overgrown and I turned around. This year I turnaround before I even get to the gravel road and head back to the dam to check out the lake.

It's awesome!

I walk the dam side and round the corner before heading back to my car.

I decide to make another run at the trail and at least make it to the dirt road. I do make it to the dirt road and someone has done some landscaping but for some reason I turn around again. Not sure what it is.

Again great stop but it's still early. I check and Virginia Lakes is about 10 miles up the road so I'll do a little scouting for tomorrow as it is my scheduled hike.

On the drive there are some amazing mountain top and unique vegetation. I arrive at the parking lot and the one side is full and the other is filling up but hey, it's 9:30. I park and check out the lake. It's beautiful!

And I take a short hike up the trail; tomorrow is going to be fun!


Time to move on again; it's pushing 10am. I think about Lundy Canyon as I will be passing it on my way back to Mammoth.

But drive past - I really should've stopped as it's only a 2 mile RT for the portion I'll be doing.

But that's my day. It should been the moving day.

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