High Sierra Topix

On Saturday, Jeff L, Mika, and I met at Rock Creek Sno-Park. We walked a couple miles along the road to Francis Lake trailhead. Then donned snowshoes and walked up to Francis Lake. The next morning, we got up leisurely. We knew we had 5-6 miles roundtrip and 3000' gain for the summit. Not too bad. It turned out to be an 11 hour endeavor. A variety of snow conditions slowed us down quite a bit and Mika's blisters and Jeff's summer hiking boots did not help either. I personally enjoyed the variety immensely and appreciated that I was not working my way up hours of talus (though it would have been faster!). Weather was absolutely perfect. We enjoyed mild temperatures and there was not even a light breeze. We made it back to Francis Lake just as night descended. The next morning, we enjoyed a relaxing snowshoe hike back to the car full of animated conversation about past and future mountain travels.

Francis Lake in the morning and Morgan is the little peak in the light in the far middle:


Working our way up to the ridge:


Just below the last push:


Heavenly view from the summit:

beautiful...plenty of snow around from the summit viewpoint.Has there any been any new snow recently?

I think there was new snow this past weekend. When I was up there, there had been no new snow for several days.

Greetings peaksandpotatoes

Thanks for the trip report. Very nice photos. I'm glad you finally got good weather and found the right place to bag that winter mountain peak you've been aiming for.

I'm not quite sure, but from the looks of your photo, in about 53 years you might be the one to break the record of the oldest woman to climb Mt. Everest, who did that at the age of 73.

I'm 31 so I'd be in my 80's : )

I'm grateful for every hike. If I'm still hiking in the Sierra in my 70's I'd feel very fortunate indeed.