Rock Creek 2005

Trip map -- Our dayhike is shown in red and blue (Maria, Theresa, Dale, and me). Kathy, Sooz, and Joe climbed Mount Starr, with the route shown in yellow. We camped at the group campground, ...

2009-02-21T18:57:04Z

Frank Farmer
Trip map -- Our dayhike is shown in red and blue (Maria, Theresa, Dale, and me). Kathy, Sooz, and Joe climbed Mount Starr, with the route shown in yellow. We camped at the group campground, ...

Our home away from home, at least for Friday and Saturday nights! Thanks to Wingding for setting this up!

2009-06-05T04:38:37Z

Frank Farmer
Our home away from home, at least for Friday and Saturday nights! Thanks to Wingding for setting this up!

Sitting down for dinner, at the Rock Creek Lodge -- From left: Maria, Dale, Theresa, Doug. At right: Rebecca and David. The other two persons at the far end were not with our group. Check ou ...

2009-06-05T04:37:39Z

Frank Farmer
Sitting down for dinner, at the Rock Creek Lodge -- From left: Maria, Dale, Theresa, Doug. At right: Rebecca and David. The other two persons at the far end were not with our group. Check ou ...

Menu board at Rock Creek Lodge -- It was pretty good, although some felt the portions could've been larger, and some of the beef was a bit tough.

2009-06-05T04:39:36Z

Frank Farmer
Menu board at Rock Creek Lodge -- It was pretty good, although some felt the portions could've been larger, and some of the beef was a bit tough.

Carl, the Matenkosky Family, Dale's feet. Hanging around the Friday Nite Campfire. The Matenkoskys are Hikin' Mike, Stacy, Hannah, and Sarah.

2009-02-21T19:00:53Z

Frank Farmer
Carl, the Matenkosky Family, Dale's feet. Hanging around the Friday Nite Campfire. The Matenkoskys are Hikin' Mike, Stacy, Hannah, and Sarah.

Rebecca, aka Bex, aka Calipidder

2009-06-05T04:38:05Z

Frank Farmer
Rebecca, aka Bex, aka Calipidder

Dale, Maria, Alan

2009-06-05T21:47:39Z

Frank Farmer
Dale, Maria, Alan

Hikin' Mike, Sarah, Stacy, Dale

2009-06-05T04:25:04Z

Frank Farmer
Hikin' Mike, Sarah, Stacy, Dale

Theresa, Joe

2009-06-05T04:32:53Z

Frank Farmer
Theresa, Joe

Eugene informs us that tomorrow is a big day -- It's time to go to bed!

2009-02-21T19:01:51Z

Frank Farmer
Eugene informs us that tomorrow is a big day -- It's time to go to bed!

Snug and cozy in my tent.

2009-06-05T04:31:16Z

Frank Farmer
Snug and cozy in my tent.

It's a new day! Maria fixing herself a great breakfast. I foolishly left my breakfast and lunch food at home. Made a quick trip to Mammoth on Friday, before dinner, and bought some snack foo ...

2009-06-05T04:35:06Z

Frank Farmer
It's a new day! Maria fixing herself a great breakfast. I foolishly left my breakfast and lunch food at home. Made a quick trip to Mammoth on Friday, before dinner, and bought some snack foo ...

Theresa, Dale, Maria -- Breakfast is happening

2009-06-05T04:39:02Z

Frank Farmer
Theresa, Dale, Maria -- Breakfast is happening

David and Bex -- Tweaking the Jetboil

2009-06-05T21:43:03Z

Frank Farmer
David and Bex -- Tweaking the Jetboil

Glacier Jay -- He brought some yummy strawberries.

2009-06-05T04:40:48Z

Frank Farmer
Glacier Jay -- He brought some yummy strawberries.

Tent City -- Clockwise from left: Maria's, Dale's and Theresa's, mine, Bex's, David's

2009-06-05T04:23:16Z

Frank Farmer
Tent City -- Clockwise from left: Maria's, Dale's and Theresa's, mine, Bex's, David's

Wrapping up breakfast -- It is looking like a terrific day.

2009-06-05T04:29:49Z

Frank Farmer
Wrapping up breakfast -- It is looking like a terrific day.

The Matenkoskys, with Eugene, who is visiting from TrailTalk on thebackpacker.com. He gets to go on a lot of trips.

2009-06-05T04:23:35Z

Frank Farmer
The Matenkoskys, with Eugene, who is visiting from TrailTalk on thebackpacker.com. He gets to go on a lot of trips.

Group Photo at Mosquito Flat Trailhead -- From left: Jay, Dale, Frank, Sooz, Maria, Bex, David, Kathy. Kneeling: Theresa, Joe

2009-06-05T04:37:34Z

Frank Farmer
Group Photo at Mosquito Flat Trailhead -- From left: Jay, Dale, Frank, Sooz, Maria, Bex, David, Kathy. Kneeling: Theresa, Joe

Starting out from Mosquito Flat

2009-06-05T04:42:42Z

Frank Farmer
Starting out from Mosquito Flat

Entering the John Muir Wilderness

2009-06-05T04:24:22Z

Frank Farmer
Entering the John Muir Wilderness

Your intrepid photographer, entering John Muir Wilderness -- Photo by Lady Maritel (Maria)

2009-06-05T04:22:06Z

Frank Farmer
Your intrepid photographer, entering John Muir Wilderness -- Photo by Lady Maritel (Maria)

Fork in the trail -- Sooz, Kathy, Jay, and Joe will go to Mono Pass and climb Mount Starr. The rest of us will see how close to Cox Col we can get.

2009-02-21T19:01:11Z

Frank Farmer
Fork in the trail -- Sooz, Kathy, Jay, and Joe will go to Mono Pass and climb Mount Starr. The rest of us will see how close to Cox Col we can get.

Theresa and Dale -- Waiting for everyone to catch up before we separate into two groups

2009-06-05T04:18:14Z

Frank Farmer
Theresa and Dale -- Waiting for everyone to catch up before we separate into two groups

David and Kathy -- Kathy (aka Wingding) is excused if she's a little pooped, because she climbed Hurd Peak the day before, near South Lake. She is a terrific person, and a relentless hiker a ...

2009-07-20T00:50:41Z

Frank Farmer
David and Kathy -- Kathy (aka Wingding) is excused if she's a little pooped, because she climbed Hurd Peak the day before, near South Lake. She is a terrific person, and a relentless hiker a ...

Sooz, Theresa, Maria

2009-07-20T00:16:25Z

Frank Farmer
Sooz, Theresa, Maria

Checking the route one more time

2009-06-05T04:42:20Z

Frank Farmer
Checking the route one more time

Our group is heading up the Morgan Pass Trail, toward Bear Creek Spire, the tall peak 2nd from left.

2009-06-05T04:27:15Z

Frank Farmer
Our group is heading up the Morgan Pass Trail, toward Bear Creek Spire, the tall peak 2nd from left.

On the Little Lakes Valley Trail

2009-07-20T00:56:07Z

Frank Farmer
On the Little Lakes Valley Trail

Mack Lake Panorama -- Our first lake in Little Lakes Valley

2009-07-20T00:40:13Z

Frank Farmer
Mack Lake Panorama -- Our first lake in Little Lakes Valley

Looking up at Mount Starr -- Our friends will be up there in a few hours

2009-07-20T00:13:19Z

Frank Farmer
Looking up at Mount Starr -- Our friends will be up there in a few hours

Fall color below Mount Starr

2009-07-20T00:19:24Z

Frank Farmer
Fall color below Mount Starr

Peaks along western side of Little Lakes Valley

2009-07-20T00:39:41Z

Frank Farmer
Peaks along western side of Little Lakes Valley

Approaching Heart Lake -- Peaks from right: Pipsqueak Spire, Bear Creek Spire, Pyramid Peak. Mount Morgan is the massive peak at the left.

2009-07-20T00:36:58Z

Frank Farmer
Approaching Heart Lake -- Peaks from right: Pipsqueak Spire, Bear Creek Spire, Pyramid Peak. Mount Morgan is the massive peak at the left.

Roche Moutonee

2009-07-20T00:21:47Z

Frank Farmer
Roche Moutonee

David can't resist bouldering -- David and Bex are fun to hang out with -- endless energy and skill, and very gear-saavy

2009-07-20T00:09:34Z

Frank Farmer
David can't resist bouldering -- David and Bex are fun to hang out with -- endless energy and skill, and very gear-saavy

Peaks beyond Heart Lake

2009-02-21T18:55:42Z

Frank Farmer
Peaks beyond Heart Lake

Heart Lake Panorama

2009-07-20T00:26:07Z

Frank Farmer
Heart Lake Panorama

Maria pauses to take a photo, above Heart Lake

2009-07-20T00:25:01Z

Frank Farmer
Maria pauses to take a photo, above Heart Lake

High ground along Heart Lake -- The peaks dominate everything

2009-07-20T00:31:32Z

Frank Farmer
High ground along Heart Lake -- The peaks dominate everything

Group photo at Heart Lake -- Frank, Rebecca, David, Dale, Theresa, Maria

2009-07-19T23:59:54Z

Frank Farmer
Group photo at Heart Lake -- Frank, Rebecca, David, Dale, Theresa, Maria

Block of granite -- Wouldn't you like to have that in your backyard?

2009-07-20T00:01:52Z

Frank Farmer
Block of granite -- Wouldn't you like to have that in your backyard?

Solo tree

2009-07-20T00:16:17Z

Frank Farmer
Solo tree

Shooting the breeze with some fishermen

2009-07-20T00:39:38Z

Frank Farmer
Shooting the breeze with some fishermen

Hiking along the creekbed -- This area is under water much of the year. Our weather and water conditions could not be better!

2009-07-19T23:57:35Z

Frank Farmer
Hiking along the creekbed -- This area is under water much of the year. Our weather and water conditions could not be better!

Creek bridge boulders

2009-06-05T04:42:45Z

Frank Farmer
Creek bridge boulders

Meadow Panorama above Long Lake -- Looking up at the ridge leading to the Fourth Recess

2009-07-19T23:52:19Z

Frank Farmer
Meadow Panorama above Long Lake -- Looking up at the ridge leading to the Fourth Recess

Meadow below Long Lake

2009-06-05T04:30:41Z

Frank Farmer
Meadow below Long Lake

Creek below Long Lake

2009-07-19T23:59:11Z

Frank Farmer
Creek below Long Lake

Gurgling creek

2009-07-20T00:02:41Z

Frank Farmer
Gurgling creek

West shore of Long Lake

2009-07-20T00:35:28Z

Frank Farmer
West shore of Long Lake

Long Lake Panorama -- From left: Bear Creek Spire, Pipsqueak Spire, Mount Dade, Mount Abbot

2009-06-05T04:39:08Z

Frank Farmer
Long Lake Panorama -- From left: Bear Creek Spire, Pipsqueak Spire, Mount Dade, Mount Abbot

Mount Starr -- A southerly view

2009-07-20T00:34:37Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Starr -- A southerly view

East shore of Long Lake -- we'll be heading up the basin to the right of the ridge in the middle left

2009-07-20T00:32:18Z

Frank Farmer
East shore of Long Lake -- we'll be heading up the basin to the right of the ridge in the middle left

Ridge and meadow along western side of Little Lakes Valley -- We've left the main trail, and are heading for Treasure Lakes. Maria didn't want to take a XC route, so she spent the afternoon ...

2009-06-05T04:20:36Z

Frank Farmer
Ridge and meadow along western side of Little Lakes Valley -- We've left the main trail, and are heading for Treasure Lakes. Maria didn't want to take a XC route, so she spent the afternoon ...

Climbing above Long Lake -- We've left the Morgan Pass Trail

2009-07-20T00:30:36Z

Frank Farmer
Climbing above Long Lake -- We've left the Morgan Pass Trail

Scrambling through the boulders -- Theresa is just ahead of me. Dale is waiting below the cliff ahead, to the left of the green shrub. My pace was getting slower, due to the onset of old far ...

2009-06-05T04:30:31Z

Frank Farmer
Scrambling through the boulders -- Theresa is just ahead of me. Dale is waiting below the cliff ahead, to the left of the green shrub. My pace was getting slower, due to the onset of old far ...

They're hard to see ... Bex, Dale, and Theresa are ahead of me, along the right edge of the rocky chute. David is already at the top.

2009-07-20T00:45:29Z

Frank Farmer
They're hard to see ... Bex, Dale, and Theresa are ahead of me, along the right edge of the rocky chute. David is already at the top.

Wispy clouds above the chute -- Theresa is ahead of me. She and Dale were great to hike with. They shared a wonderful lunch with me, which really helped my energy level.

2009-07-20T00:20:37Z

Frank Farmer
Wispy clouds above the chute -- Theresa is ahead of me. She and Dale were great to hike with. They shared a wonderful lunch with me, which really helped my energy level.

Little Lakes Valley Panorama -- Long Lake is in view. The clouds along the crest were getting darker, which worried us a bit. It was also very windy. The clouds to the north were from a fire ...

2009-07-20T00:30:24Z

Frank Farmer
Little Lakes Valley Panorama -- Long Lake is in view. The clouds along the crest were getting darker, which worried us a bit. It was also very windy. The clouds to the north were from a fire ...

Another pano, taken further up.

2009-07-20T00:35:52Z

Frank Farmer
Another pano, taken further up.

Bex and Theresa -- Bear Creek Spire in the background. Treasure Lakes are just ahead. David found a use trail to Gem Lakes, and proposed a loop route back to Long Lake, which we all agreed w ...

2009-07-20T00:25:11Z

Frank Farmer
Bex and Theresa -- Bear Creek Spire in the background. Treasure Lakes are just ahead. David found a use trail to Gem Lakes, and proposed a loop route back to Long Lake, which we all agreed w ...

David and Bex

2009-07-20T00:45:41Z

Frank Farmer
David and Bex

Theresa and Dale

2009-07-20T00:19:58Z

Frank Farmer
Theresa and Dale

Group photo at Treasure Lakes -- Frank, Theresa, Dale, David, Rebecca

2009-07-20T00:31:32Z

Frank Farmer
Group photo at Treasure Lakes -- Frank, Theresa, Dale, David, Rebecca

Treasure Lakes Panorama

2009-07-19T23:54:35Z

Frank Farmer
Treasure Lakes Panorama

Lower Treasure Lake -- David hiked around the lake, while the rest of us hiked atop the ridge leading to Gem Lakes. For a while, it appeared that it might start raining.

2009-02-21T19:00:59Z

Frank Farmer
Lower Treasure Lake -- David hiked around the lake, while the rest of us hiked atop the ridge leading to Gem Lakes. For a while, it appeared that it might start raining.

Scrambling -- This is fun!!!

2009-07-20T00:19:25Z

Frank Farmer
Scrambling -- This is fun!!!

Starting up the ridge

2009-07-20T00:23:52Z

Frank Farmer
Starting up the ridge

Bear Creek Spire and Pipsqueak Spire, above Treasure Lakes

2009-07-20T00:32:46Z

Frank Farmer
Bear Creek Spire and Pipsqueak Spire, above Treasure Lakes

Treasure Lakes Panorama -- Bear Creek Spire, Pipsqueak Spire, Mount Dade

2009-07-19T23:56:30Z

Frank Farmer
Treasure Lakes Panorama -- Bear Creek Spire, Pipsqueak Spire, Mount Dade

Bear Creek Spire, Pipsqueak Spire, Mount Dade

2009-07-07T10:29:53Z

Frank Farmer
Bear Creek Spire, Pipsqueak Spire, Mount Dade

Bear Creek Spire, Pipsqueak Spire

2009-02-21T18:58:30Z

Frank Farmer
Bear Creek Spire, Pipsqueak Spire

Can you see David, on the other side of the lake? He is just above and to the right of the trees on the near shore.

2009-07-20T00:33:57Z

Frank Farmer
Can you see David, on the other side of the lake? He is just above and to the right of the trees on the near shore.

Nearing the top of the ridge

2009-07-19T23:54:09Z

Frank Farmer
Nearing the top of the ridge

Mount Dade, Treasure Lakes

2009-07-20T00:31:11Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Dade, Treasure Lakes

Above Gem Lakes -- Morgan Pass

2009-07-20T00:29:27Z

Frank Farmer
Above Gem Lakes -- Morgan Pass

Switchbacks below Morgan Pass

2009-07-20T00:31:02Z

Frank Farmer
Switchbacks below Morgan Pass

A last closeup view of the spires!

2009-06-05T04:44:11Z

Frank Farmer
A last closeup view of the spires!

Mount Dade

2009-06-05T04:34:49Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Dade

Disappearing spires

2009-06-05T04:29:53Z

Frank Farmer
Disappearing spires

Mount Starr -- We're waiting for David to catch up with us, after his Treasure Lake circumnavigation

2009-06-05T04:34:01Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Starr -- We're waiting for David to catch up with us, after his Treasure Lake circumnavigation

Mount Mills, Fourth Recess Ridge, Mount Starr Panorama

2009-07-19T23:39:21Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Mills, Fourth Recess Ridge, Mount Starr Panorama

Bear Creek Spire, Pipsqueak Spire, Mount Dade

2009-07-19T23:42:42Z

Frank Farmer
Bear Creek Spire, Pipsqueak Spire, Mount Dade

Theresa and Dale -- Still waiting for David

2009-07-20T00:51:22Z

Frank Farmer
Theresa and Dale -- Still waiting for David

David rejoins Bex

2009-07-20T00:32:40Z

Frank Farmer
David rejoins Bex

Bex, David, Dale, Theresa -- Atop the ridge

2009-07-20T00:29:51Z

Frank Farmer
Bex, David, Dale, Theresa -- Atop the ridge

Last look toward Mount Starr, before we drop back down

2009-07-20T02:16:41Z

Frank Farmer
Last look toward Mount Starr, before we drop back down

Descending a chute above Gem Lakes

2009-07-20T00:01:50Z

Frank Farmer
Descending a chute above Gem Lakes

Morgan Pass switchbacks

2009-07-19T23:56:47Z

Frank Farmer
Morgan Pass switchbacks

Following Dale -- We're almost back to the main Morgan Pass Trail

2009-07-20T00:13:55Z

Frank Farmer
Following Dale -- We're almost back to the main Morgan Pass Trail

Mount Starr -- Back on the main trail

2009-07-20T00:34:35Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Starr -- Back on the main trail

Approaching Long Lake -- We rejoined Maria along in here

2009-06-05T04:25:51Z

Frank Farmer
Approaching Long Lake -- We rejoined Maria along in here

Long Lake Panorama (south shore) -- We left the main trail in this area earlier, enroute to Treasure Lakes

2009-07-20T00:18:00Z

Frank Farmer
Long Lake Panorama (south shore) -- We left the main trail in this area earlier, enroute to Treasure Lakes

Where we turned off-trail

2009-07-20T00:19:44Z

Frank Farmer
Where we turned off-trail

Long Lake Panorama

2009-07-20T00:20:29Z

Frank Farmer
Long Lake Panorama

Back to the north shore of Long Lake

2009-06-05T04:31:25Z

Frank Farmer
Back to the north shore of Long Lake

Mount Morgan Panorama -- Box Lake is in the foreground

2009-07-20T01:00:01Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Morgan Panorama -- Box Lake is in the foreground

Heading back to Mosquito Flat

2009-07-20T00:26:36Z

Frank Farmer
Heading back to Mosquito Flat

Back to Heart Lake

2009-07-20T00:05:23Z

Frank Farmer
Back to Heart Lake