I always look forward to getting back to the basics and hiking in the mountains. Most people like hiking in the summer months, but I prefer fall and winter for the cool crisp air. However, there are times in the summer months when hiking can still be agreeable temperature wise. Take for instance hiking at 10,000 feet in the Eastern Sierras. In the early summer, that area can still be in the mid. to upper sixties (Fahrenheit), which is really comfortable.

This last June I was up at the Granite and Gaylor Lakes area, which is around the East Entrance of Yosemite National Park. Not only was the temperature low, but there was still a large amount of snow at that elevation and the lakes were still covered with ice. Below is a picture of Middle Gaylor Lake. The hillside in the background is Gaylor Peak.

The morning that I hiked over the peak to get to the lakes was interesting. I arrived at the parking area just before 5 a.m. thinking I would be the only one there. Guess what? I wasn’t. A couple in their early sixties had arrived a few minutes before me. Not only were they on the trail ahead of me, but they made it to the top of the peak in record time. Those two must have taken an extra dosage of vitamins that morning. Remember, this hike starts at 9,950 ft. with a 500 foot elevation gain in less than half a mile!

When I got to the top of the peak, the couple had gone wandering around the upper ridge. I wondered why they didn’t go down to the lake…and then I figured out why. The trail, from the top of the peak down to the lake, was partially covered in snow. Since I had hiked the area before, I knew the direction of the trail and found that the lower part was still visible. I slowly made my way down to the trail by cutting through the areas of the hillside that had no snow. Was it worth the detour? Absolutely! Sitting on a rock next to a frozen lake and watching the sun come up in the early morning is so amazing.

Have a great week everyone!