Dates: October 24-26, 2008
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Mileage: ~21 miles Group Members: Michael Ahlmann, Chris Genger, Nick McGuire
Pack Weights: Mike (25 lbs), Chris (31.4 lbs), Nick (52 lbs)
Notes: Mono Lake Ranger Station – Has bear barrels ($5 per trip), wilderness permits, and maps – 760-647-3044; Drive to trail head is just under 4.5 hours. Gas is much cheaper in Lee Vining compared to Bridgeport. Route Map Available!
Day 1: (~7 miles) Parked at Rush Creek Trailhead (obvious sign from road) and headed off down the well marked trail. After a short hike just off the road we began climbing steadily up the side of the mountain we were on till we got to the first dam/lake, Agnew Lake. Passed a nice waterfall on the way up and crossed a funicular railroad twice. Had lunch at a concrete edifice downstream of the dam. Hike up was pretty strenuous. Continue along the northern shore of Agnew Lake climbing steadily up to the dam of Gem Lake which was another rather strenuous and exposed climb. Hiked around the north shore of beautiful Gem Lake and found a decent size campsite after crossing a creek on the north-west shore. Continued along the trail passing another creek to the dam of Waugh lake which turned out to be empty although Gem and Agnew Lakes were both full. Hiked along north shore but found only one suitable campsite after some time and because of the lack of water in the lake, it was relatively far from any water. Decided to camp next to a “pond” in the lake bed. Started out at 10:30AM and reached campsite a little after 5PM. The sun went down before 5:30PM and it was dark by 6:30PM. Stored bear barrels and cooked 100 yards from campsite. Dropped below freezing at night but we were comfortable in the tent and our sleeping bags.
Day 2: (~7 miles) Broke camp at around 10:15AM after purifying some water and eating breakfast. Relatively easy hike with two stream crossings over logs until we hit the PCT trail junction. Went south and crossed two more streams before ascending rather steeply for quite a ways. Crossed the 10,000 ft elevation sign and the trail finally flattened out and we got our first amazing view of Banner Peak and Mt. Ritter as well as the rest of the Ritter range. Had lunch somewhere near the unmarked Island Pass at 10,200 ft beside a small lake with incredible views. We then began descending above the northern shore of 1000 Island Lake until we came to its outlet where we parted ways with the John Muir Trail. We stayed on the PCT heading east for just under 2 miles until we branched off on a trail towards the Clark Lakes. After crossing a saddle point, we came across the first of the lakes that was of a decent size and had one camping spot. We pressed onward and passed a small lake and then finally came to the biggest of the Clark Lakes where we decided to camp. Numerous spots all around the lake but we decided the best one was on the far shore which required going past the trails 3 way split and heading along the trail to Agnew Summit for a few hundred meters to get to the campsite. Reached the lakes just after 4PM which allowed more time to set up camp, cook, and deal with the bear barrels. Mike attempted fishing with no luck. Had a campfire that night which was great and allowed us to stay out long enough to see the stars. Dropped below freezing again that night but not quite as cold as the previous night even though we were several hundred feet higher altitude wise.
Day 3: (~7 miles) Got up earlier than before and were able to break camp by 9:30 after purifying 6 liters of water. Tent was pretty wet so we had to let it air out and dry for a bit before packing it up. Headed back to the 3 way trail junction and took the trail towards Agnew Lake. Climbed upwards slightly to another small but scenic lake followed by some meadows. Finally began descending rather rapidly along the mountain face above Spooky Meadow. Very steep trail and we crossed a semi-frozen stream several times. Finally reached the steep scree slope above Agnew Lake which we had to switchback down for quite some time. Very steep and rocky but not too difficult with hiking poles. Made it down to Agnew Dam once again after losing the trail in the rocks for a couple minutes. Crossed a small footbridge over the dam outlet and I stopped and put my head under the torrent of water being released downwards from one of the dam pipes. Stopped and had lunch around noon at the same spot we did on the first day. We were then able to make it back down to the trail head in only and hour (versus the 2 hrs it took to climb this part the first day) and thus we were out by 1:15PM.