Mammoth Trip July 2012

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 decided to go a new route.  I typically take 120 through Yosemite with all the other tourists in the world but wanted a little more peace and quiet so I took highway 108, Sonora Pass.  I was delightfully surprised, the road was nearly empty on a Saturday.  How relaxing!

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...