Well the family decided to do a big get together in Mammoth this year so I decided to take advantage of it and take the whole week off! Great decision!
Saturday, July 7th, 2012
I had wanted to see this deep canyon reservoir, Donnell Reservoir, for a long time and finally accomplished it!
Above: Donnell Reservoir
Above: I had heard about this Clark Fork, so I stopped by and managed this guy
Above: Clark Fork
Above: Beautiful little waterfall
Above: Stopped and fished the West Walker in Leavitt Meadows, but no luck.
Above: I made it out to the 395 and enjoyed some of my favorite views through Bridgeport
Above: Finally rolled into Mammoth and had to check out Lake George
Sunday, July 8th
Above: Woke up early to hit the Upper Owens River
Above: Found the honey hole and got fish on the fly rod, mostly on a San Juan Worm
Above: We hiked up to the old mining camp near Lake Mary in Mammoth
Above: Dad did some rock stacking with great views
Above: We continued on and hiked up to Heart Lake and scored some beautiful brookies
Above: Cool flowers
Monday, July 9th
Above: Fished the Upper Owens again, but it was super slow. Got this small fish on a Parachute Adams
Above: We hiked up to Mcleod Lake for the first time ever. It was a quick and easy walk and amazing!
Tuesday, July 10th
Above: We rode the motorcycles up to Laurel Lakes
Above: We made it
Above: We couldn't get any of these dang Golden's to the net
Above: We came back and went on a 4x4 trail in the truck. It was the San Joaquin Ridge that led to Deadman's pass. Amazing views of Mammoth and the Minarets
Above: Truckin'
Wednesday, July 11th
Above: Woke up and hit up Lake George with Eric. What a beautiful morning
Above: We hung out at June Lake that afternoon
Thursday, July 12th
Above: A few of us got up to fish McGee Creek
Above: Some great views
Above: Some good fish too
Above: The rain came...
Above: We fished Lake Mary that night on the boat and got a few fish pretty deep on the leadcore line
Above: Great sunset!
Friday, July 13th
Above: We rode up to Laurel Lakes again with more of the family
Above: The motorcycles
Above: All of us at the lake
Above: Great canyon
Above: Enjoyin a break
Above: Gary and the kids
Above: We then went hiking around another creek
Saturday, July 14th
Above: The family met up at Rock Creek Lake
Above: Mount Morrison
Above: Was able to get out on a great bike ride near the Mammoth Lakes basin on their new trail system, but I still ended up off the paved path...
Above: Nice stream by Horseshoe Lake
Sunday, July 15th
I had to head home but decided to stop at Bodie Ghost Town on the way. I've always wanted to do it and the opportunity presented itself
Above: On the way out I saw this HUGE herd of sheep. You just don't see this very often anymore
Above: To think bandits and cowboys used to walk these streets...
Above: HUGE mining operation was here, they pulled out a lot of gold. I learned a lot on the mill tour.
Above: I'm sure this saloon had a lot of action. Just amazing how they have kept it original!
Above: Get your coffee!
Above: Nice bank vault!
Above: Someone lived here?! If you really let your mind wander...
Above: The children went to school here...
Above: Part of the mining mill
Above: Great views on the way home on 108, Leavitt Meadows
And that was the end of the trip. I have to say this one was of my best trips ever. I experienced so many new things in a place that I have been tons of times before. Mammoth is just so diverse you never will run out of new things to explore and do. It was great to see the greater family and spend a week in paradise.
Until next time...