PHOTOS:
http://community.webshots.com/album/135607270xufkcJ
This trip started with a few others, but when it came down to it, everyone had other plans. Calhiker and I went anyway. He is new to snowcamping and is really enjoying the use of snowshoes and crampons. I/we still have to work on using an ice axe.
The weather called for snow, and not knowing if we could get to the trailheads, I took my snowboarding gear and told him too be prepared to go to Mammoth. We drove to Onion Valley and camped at a place I call the Secret Spot.
In the morning while repacking our gear, I realized I only brought 1 set of poles and 2 tents. Luckily, Calhiker brought his brothers tent for carcamping the first night, so he used that one for this trip (a few lbs heavier than my extra, but at least he had a tent). We headed up the Onion Valley trail (9,200') with snow flurries, hiking on a snowless trail. Then we hit snow, lots of it, put on crampons and soon lost the trail. We followed footprints, passed a tent, lost the trail, and headed straight up a steeeep hill. Even though visibility was low, everything was absolutely beautiful! Crampons on and off, snow coming down harder with bigger flakes. Passed Little Pothole Lake, steep climb (lost trail), passed Gilbert Lake, up to Flower Lake and set up camp away from the lake (10,542' on gps). We heated water for the camelbacks, ate in my tent since it was windy and snowing out, looked at the photos from the day, then Calhiker went back to his tent for the night.
Sunday morning was a clear bluebird day! First thing, I walked through the fresh powder, taking pictures of everything. Couldn't believe how fresh everything was out there! We packed up for a dayhike and went up a steep hill and ended up above Matlock Lake. We took lots of pictures, soaking in the views and finally headed back. We didn't realize how steep our climb was til we tried to go down. Back climbing with snowshoes, then putting crampons on and off a few times. Only saw 2 skiers Sunday. We got to the TH and looked back at another storm coming in. Another great weekend!
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