South Lake - Chocolate Lakes - October 2007
Planned Trip:
2-day, 1-night, 9-mile, loop from South Lake, around Chocolate Peak, back past Long Lake.Actual Trip:
2-day, 1-night, 8-mile, out-and-back from South Lake to Chocolate Lakes.Excuse:
Snow. Couldn't find the trail.Location:
Inyo Nation Forest (map)John Muir Wilderness Area
Maps:
 1-south-lake-map.jpg |
 2-south-lake-route.jpg |
 3-south-lake-profile.jpg |
Pictures:
 Trailhead |
 Half Way |
 Camp Site |
Leaving 2 kids at home with Rachel, I left early (4am) that morning for a short 1-night trip. We (Sadie and I) stopped in Bishop only to get a permit. On the trailhead around 10am, it was snowing when we left. It wasn't predicted to be a big storm, so I wasn't too worried. But I did take the time to find a sheltered spot for camp, just below Chocolate lakes. The sun came out that afternoon, just long enough for me to lay in the grass and rest next to the lake.
 Morning |
 4 inches |
 Sunrise |
It snowed pretty good that night, and the accumulated snow sliding down the tent freaked me out before I knew what it was. We woke up to about 4 inches on the ground, and I got to see 2 very different sides to the same beautiful scenery - green and white. Although Sadie didn't seem to care too much for the white stuff.
 Chocolate Lake |
 Frollicking |
 Aspens |
The plan was to continue on above Chocolate Lakes along an unmaintained trail, over the pass and back down using the main trail past Long Lake. However, as usual, things didn't go as planned. We spent close to an hour trying to find our way over the pass. But with the snow, it was too difficult. Even going back the way we came wasn't easy - the trail was covered with snow and things looked quite a bit different. I did see deer tracks in the snow, but other than that, very little animal activity.