Hiking high (as in elevation, not in how fuzzy my brain feels), is inevitable if you are in the Eastern Sierras. The Oh! Ridge NFS Campground where we are hangin’ out sits at roughly 7600 feet so it’s pretty much a given that you will be movin’ on up from there! Since altitude and I are not on the best of terms, I can be plagued with vertigo, headaches and nausea if I’m not careful. Acclimatizing to this altitude has made all the difference in my hiking enjoyment, and we do love our hiking.
The Eastern Sierras are particularly special: 360º mountain views, crisp sunny days, deepest azure skies, striking fall colors, gorgeous alpine lakes, breathtaking sunsets. Hiking doesn’t get much better than this.
We did a couple of hikes early on to get us in the mood and get me acclimatized. Parker Lake, with its golden quaking aspens along the trail and crystal-clear blue lake and Lundy Canyon Trail, with a great overlook sporting golden meadows, aspens, and a lovely waterfall were great starter hikes.
So, I think I’m prepared to stretch myself a bit further, to experience the true grandeur of the Sierras. To ensure a safe hike and stave off altitude sickness, we have called upon our buddy Paul to call forth the Paiute “Great Spirit”, to guide us on our journey. Ok, I’m being a little silly but I love how Paul was captured in this photo so I just had to add it.
On a quest to further prepare myself, our next hike was Yost Lake. With an elevation gain of 1800 feet and ~ 3.2 miles each way, it was fairly grueling from the time we set boots on the trail. The alpine lake at the top was the prize and a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch, basking in the sun.
Yosemite was calling us back so we decided a short hike in the park was not to be missed. The recommendation given us by a couple of friends was Gaylor Lakes. Located just inside the eastern entrance to the park, Gaylor Lakes trailhead sits at roughly 10,000 feet, with only a 500 foot elevation gain – easy, right? Once again straight up we go and then straight down to the lakes. Terry even said it was a b@!ch of a little hike, and when I caught my breath, I had to agree.
For me, the granddaddy of our hikes in this area was to be Virginia Lakes. Our traveling buddies Nina and Paul had already tackled it so I knew what to expect. Beginning at an elevation of ~ 9800 feet, it tops out on Summit Pass at 11,140 feet and is roughly 8 miles round-trip.
Nina and Paul agreed to come along for their second hike to the lakes (oh the beauty of youth!). With a little trepidation (wondering if my body would remember it does not like these altitudes), we hit the trail. Winding through aromatic pine forest and past five of the loveliest little alpine lakes, I decided to go for the summit. Although a little windy and a lot colder at the top, I could not have been happier. The views from the top were breathtaking!
The Eastern Sierras have given us some of the best hiking we have done. If you come, be prepared for a hiking high that will challenge and inspire you. The beauty here is nothing short of heavenly. But all good things must come to an end, and with temps dipping into the 20’s at night, it’s time to head south to Bishop.
If you liked this blog post, why not scroll up to ‘Follow Us’ and enter your email address? You just might find something that interests you.
Paint Your Landscape 
Sounds and looks like you are having the time of your life LuAnn :). Great shots!!!
It has been great fun and we feel so blessed to have this opportunity. Thanks Boomie. 🙂
Beautiful pictures and lots of good hikes to think about. I especially liked the picture of you and Terry together. We don’t see many of those.
Lots of great hikes in the Sierras and you are right, we are usually hiking alone so you don’t see many pics of us together. 🙂
My wife and I did the Gaylor Lake hike a few years ago – toughest trail I’ve done in a long time. The elevation is just a killer but the views were worth the trip up.
I was surprised for such a short trail that it was so tough. How is your healing coming along? I hope you are doing well. 🙂
My healing is going well. Back at work and up to .25 miles on the treadmill – hope to be up to .5 miles by next week. 😉
Wonderful! 🙂
Great shots! It looks peaceful 🙂
http://www.glitzgirlzglamourguide.com
It truly is peaceful, quite lovely also. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Sounds perfectly heavenly. So glad you’re having such fun!
It is wonderful but the temps have dropped so we have started to head further south. How is the weather in your lovely neck of the woods? 🙂
We have not hiked in the Sierras. What beauty surrounds you!!! Love the photos with the reflection in the lake…gorgeous.
So many lovely alpine lakes, so little time (lol)! 🙂
what beautiful views. that sierra sunset is wonderful, and that view from the top of the western sierras—wow! you can see soooo far over all the othr ridges and the air is so clear. what a sight. thank you
Thanks David. Have you had a chance to take any photos of your new little part of the U.S.?
I used to get altitude sickness pretty bad but after living in Colorado for 15 years I don’t seem to suffer as severly. However, while camping at 10,000 feet in Crested Butte I did get those annoying headaches 😦
Sounds like with those temps it is definitely time to head south. Phx was still in the 90’s but back here in CO it’s barely hitting 60. We’ll be heading to the desert in about a month trying to avoid that four letter word…snow!
We are now in the Bishop area where the temps are supposed to be in the 70’s during the day and 40’s at night. 🙂
Great shots! The one of Paul is hilarious!
Nina
We love it so I just had to find a way to incorporate it! 🙂
Those vistas are AMAZING. Wow. I am stunned by the gorgeous views and those incredible reflections on the water. I really need to get back to California sooner rather than later. 🙂
They were gorgeous and we were sad to leave but we are finding amazing vistas everywhere we go. With your talent behind the lens, I would love to see photos that you would take in this area. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Breathtaking mountain shots! Love the photo of you and Terry.
Thanks so much Amy! 🙂
Just gorgeous. The air must be wonderfully fresh and clean there, nothing finer to hike through such beauty LuAnn. 🙂
This is our first time in the Eastern Sierras and we are lovin’ it! We are trying to squeeze in as many hikes as we can in this area before the weather begins to turn cold. One more week and then we will be down in Encinitas near San Diego. 🙂
Just excellent, bracing and life reaffirming to be there and experiencing what you are! 🙂
Ow, the things you see. Nice to see Paul up and going again. 😉 I will be hiking tomorrow, but I’m sure it’s not gonna be like yours with exponentially incredible nature views and high altitudes.
Any trip out in nature is a beautiful thing. I am glad to see that you are doing more hiking. Hope you are having a fabulous weekend. 🙂
Great stuff–thanks! FYI, there is only ONE Sierra Nevada Mtn. range. So, it is Sierra, never Sierras. Sg.
Thanks for that tidbit. 🙂