Yosemite’s Mono Pass Trail is a magical trail, leading the way to snowy peaks and colorful red mountains framing high lakes. Those lakes were still sporting a bit of ice when I hit that historic trail. Where: Yosemite National ParkDistance: 11.04 MilesDifficulty: Moderate to StrenuousElevation Range: 9,596′ – 10,972′Elevation Gain: 1,605′Date: June 9, 2022Map: CALTOPO: Hiking to Helen and Spillway LakesDog ...
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Hiking and Wandering Above Helen Lake Along the Kuna Crest
Do you ever hike a familiar trail and wonder what is hiding just over the next ridge? I sure do and had some time to explore the terrain above Helen Lake along the Kuna Crest.Where: Yosemite National ParkDistance: 11.16 MilesDifficulty: Moderate to StrenuousElevation Range: 9,596′ – 11,348′Date: October 19, 2020Maps: Falls Ridge, June Lake Topographic QuadsDog Hike? NoI had been ...
Read More »Hiking Yosemite’s Mono Pass Area: Spillway Lake to Parker Pass Lake Looped Hike
Not all adventures go as planned. You just never know what you will encounter. A smokey hike in the Mono and Parker Pass area, not fishing in Parker Pass Lake, looking for Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep, checking out fall color, a reflective little pool of water, busy Clark’s Nutcatchers and a fire all played roles in this week’s adventure. Where: ...
Read More »Wandering up Yosemite’s Mono Pass Trail
Some days things just don’t go as planned. But we eventually made it to our hiking adventure along the Mono Pass Trail, wandering the mountains in search of beautiful flowers and reflections in the water. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: About 9 Miles (but you can go as far as you wish) Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Elevation Range: 9,596′ – ...
Read More »Hiking to Spillway and Helen Lakes
I love to hike up the Mono Pass Trail. There is something about those views of Mono Pass, up Parker Pass and Kuna Crest that make me feel like I am on top of the world. But clouds make it extra special, casting shadows on those multi-colored mountains, changing the colors with every cloud. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 10.22 ...
Read More »Hiking up to Spillway and Helen Lakes
How much snow and ice would we find at the 11,000′ elevation above the Mono Pass Trail in August? It was the right time to get up there and check it out. It took us 5 hours and 44 minutes to do this hike but you can follow along on the hike with me on the Doarama link under Maps ...
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