Inyo National Forest, CA

Saddlebag, Greenstone & Conness Lakes

My first hike within the Inyo National Forest took place off Tioga Road to the east of Yosemite National Park at an elevation of 10,000 to 11,000 feet. The expected 6.6-mile, 4-hour hike turned into an 8-mile, 6-hour excursion. While I had very little energy remaining when I finished, I certainly enjoyed myself.

I started by hiking a mile or so skirting the edge of Saddlebag Lake on a hillside covered by jagged rocks.

Saddlebag Lake
(its curved shape made it impossible to see it all at once)

Hillside Trail
(sections of it were over loose rock instead of dirt)

As I reached the end of the lake, I got a closer look at the first set of many mountains I was to see.

Multi-colored Mountains
(left to right the hue changes from light to dark)

The trail curved to the left and after only a short distance I came to Greenstone Lake. It was partially surrounded by impressive mountains and rock walls mostly of white or grey stone.

Greenstone Lake & North Peak

Wall of Grey Rock

Upon leaving the lake, I made the first of a series of climbs. At one open spot, I got a good view of Lee Vining Creek which flowed into Greenstone Lake, and a small waterfall created when the creek cascaded down a rock face.

Lee Vining Creek

Waterfall

After a longer and steeper climb, I stopped and turned around to see where I had just come from.

A Look Back
(Lee Vining Creek closer & Saddlebag Lake in the distance)

Just beyond was the first of the Conness Lakes sitting in a bowl set in white and pink rock.

First of the Conness Lakes

Jagged Ridgeline above the Lake

I hiked to the far end of the lake and then took a spur trail to the second of the Conness Lakes. On the way, I encountered a couple of natural elements that piqued my curiosity.

Second of the Conness Lakes
(icy snow nestled in the shadows above)

Rocky Mountain Willow
(looks as if they're cocooned in cotton)

Pink Rock with White Veins

After returning to the main trail, I came to and followed another spur to a third Conness Lake. My only view of this last lake came by peering over a blockage of rocks in a narrow ravine where I couldn't find a safe path forward.

Third of the Conness Lakes
(rocks in the foreground are the top of the impassible blockage)

The second spur was the most challenging part of the hike as it went up a steep incline over medium to large rocks where the trail disappeared for large intervals.

Mammoth Lakes

My second hike in the Inyo National Forest was located in the Mammoth Lakes region of the Inyo National Forest. Although it was much shorter than my earlier hike at 3.5 miles, it had its own share of beautiful lakes and eye-catching mountains.

The first mile was a steady climb on a dusty trail up the mountainside speckled with trees and rocks.

Through the Rocks & Trees

The first natural attraction to stand out was Crystal Crag appearing through a break in the trees.

Rugged Ridgeline with Crystal Crag on the Far Right

Crystal Crag

As I continued to climb, I was granted an incredible view of the Mammoth Lakes Basin and the four main bodies of water that lie within it.

Lake George, Lake Mary, Lake Mamie & Horseshoe Lake
(starting in the foreground and then going counterclockwise)

Lake George (front) & Lake Mary (back)

I reached the crest and then made a gentle descent down to Crystal Lake. I walked along its left side, went out onto a rock promontory, ate an apple for a snack while enjoying the scenery, and then headed back.

Crystal Lake

Mountains Rise above Crystal Lake

Closer View of the Mountains

John Muir Wilderness

My third foray within the Inyo National Forest was another longer, high altitude hike. On a partly cloudy day, I spent 4 hours covering 8 miles at around 10,000 feet in the Little Lakes Valley and John Muir Wilderness; the whole time appreciating the many rugged mountains and alpine lakes.

Over its length, the trail climbed almost 1,000 feet over a rolling terrain. As I crested the first rise and began my way down, I got my first taste of the spectacular views the area had to offer.

First View of the Mountains Ahead

Sun Highlights the Jagged Mountains

At different times, the trail was covered in a coarse sand or hard packed dirt strewn with medium-sized rocks.

A Rough Landscape Surrounds the Trail

As you might have guessed by the valley's name, I encountered many lakes of varying sizes along the way. Here are a few of them.

Mack Lake

Heart Lake

Box Lake

Long Lake

Rock Creek meandered through the valley. It occasionally flowed near the trail, or they even crossed paths a couple of times.

An Early Section of Rock Creek

Rock Creek at a Higher Elevation

Towards the end of the valley, I was able to see much more detail in the mountains I had first seen at the start of the hike (note: I may have the names wrong as it was extremely difficult matching my photos with named ones I found online).

Unknown or Unnamed Peak

Bear Creek Spire & Mt Julius Caesar

Mt Julius Caesar

Mt Mills

With the gain in elevation, I was able to get up close and personal with the terrain as it turned rockier.

Nature's 3D Jigsaw Puzzle

Nature's Pyramid

At the end of the trail and my turn back point, several small bodies of water called the Gem Lakes were alternately nestled by grass or rock.

The First of the Gem Lakes

Another Gem Lake

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

My final visit within the Inyo National Forest occurred in a section of the White Mountains. It was there that I spent 3 hours hiking 4.5 miles amid the special Great Basin Bristlecone Pines.

Hillside Studded with Bristlecone Pines

Basking in the Sun

Bristlecone Pines on a Steep Slope

Some of these trees are over 4,000 years old making them among oldest living trees in the world. They varied in size with the largest ones being quite impressive in girth and height.

Flourishing Tree

Bald in the Middle

Massive Growth with Extensive Roots

Their wood is very hard, resin-filled, and resistant to insects, disease, and decay. In fact, they erode from their environment's harsh conditions more than they decay.

Wear & Tear

Sinewy Fibers

These same conditions shape the trees into some very interesting shapes. This was especially noticeable with the trees that no longer display pine needles.