July 27 - Virginia Lakes

Another sunny day with temps in the low 70s.

Heading for a new hike today at Virginia Lakes. Made a scouting attempt yesterday and I think it'll be a good one. I'm really excited about the hike and leaving Mammoth for a new destination. It's time!

I'm lazy this morning as the parking was not crowded when I arrived around 9:30 yesterday. But I still leave before 7:30. I have a slight panic because I forgot it's an hour drive but very few cars when I arrive. It's chilly in the low 50s with a slight wind. I have my light winter if I need it but it's in the pack.

The trail starts at 9836 ft.

I take the dirt trail out of the parking lot instead of the trail down by the lake that I was on for a minute yesterday. My trail has a slight uphill thru the sagebrush. When I look at Alltrails it says I'm not on the right path. The other trail is the "right" one but they do connect.

To a lake; it has 2 streams in-flowing I take a spur down to walk along Blue Lake 


when I pop out the trail climbs up a scree field. 

I'm hearing Pika and I finally find him. 

The views are incredible as I climb above Blue Lake. There is a waterfall that I'm hoping I'll see from above. (Never did see "this" waterfall from above but saw many mini-falls that ultimately lead to this one.)

At the top of the climb is a woodland and a stream where the falls is.

Lovely trail with great flowers, mountains to look at.

I'm surprised to see an old cabin. It's leaning but it's cool. Even looks like there is a bed frame inside. And it has rocks on the roof.

There are a few piles of snow including this one (with pink snow) and a small waterfall.

The next lake is Cooney and the landscape is incredible. I can stop now and be perfectly happy but I continue on.

The landscape is so different than anything I've experienced in the E Sierras. Absolutely love this hike.

I should add there are lots of flowers on this trail so I'm hoping it good butterflying on my return.

I see that Sierra Lily on this trail as well.

There's one particularly flowery spot early on and I scare up a Frit and a Blue - so seeing butterflies is very hopeful.

Soon I arrive a Frog Lake (lower). I like this lake a lot.

I skip the spur trail to middle Frog Lake (probably should have taken the detour)

Then it's on to Upper Frog Lakes. I have to cross a stream before coming to the lake. Honestly the best view from the lake is before the crossing.

I continue to the end of the lake before backtracking to a nice spot to stop. I spot a Sandhill Skipper here!

To say how much I'm enjoying this hike, my mph was 1.2 for 1.6 miles. Just enjoying the trail. 

My end elevation is ~10400 ft. (Definitely took way longer than I anticipated but it's all good as I can't check-in my hotel in Reno until 3pm.)

Time to head back over the stream, past the snow/waterfall,... Many people coming down the trail and a few heading up.

Not seeing any butterflies along the trail (a bit disappointing). 

At that flowery spot, I see a couple Great Basin Frits and I get a photo of it.

I also see a Ruddy Copper (can't miss that bright orange color).

I see another unknown and a Blue but I can't get to them (frustrating) but I do head into the far side of the meadow.

And I see a Field Crescent.

There are more in there but I don't want to be accused of tromping flowers.

Soon I'm heading down the scree field and then I'm back at my car. 

Absolutely amazing hike!! This is one of my Top 3 E Sierras hike. Makes me want to come back again!

Totals: 3.44 miles, 548 ft

I head back to the Mono County Park to change clothes and have lunch. Yes, it's in the wrong direction but it's only 9 miles away and I don't want to drive about 2.5 hours in wet clothes.

And guess what, I arrive at the hotel just after 3pm.

Great time in the E Sierras. Excited about checking out Lassen for the 1st time.

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