Bridgeport Campout

The smoke descended on Bishop last week creating a choking, dense, fog like cloud. We had to escape, so we headed up to Bridgeport, camping at Twins Lakes.

After setting camp I went for an easy spin among the changing aspens.

Next I ventured up into the Bodie Hills, visiting the Chemung Mine and the area around Masonic Mountain. This was the only day it got a bit smokey and I could feel it breathing hard on the steep pitches.

The following morning I hiked right from camp up into the Tamarack Creek area. This is Upper Summers Meadow.

The Bodie Hills poke above the thin smoke layer.

A steady uphill grind brought me to this fine meadow/marsh/tarn on Tamarack Creek.

More great views on the descent.

The final stretch of trail back to camp provided this great vista of Lower Twin Lake.

It sure was nice to get out of the smoke and into the high country around Bridgeport.
 

The Cabin

A bit less than a year ago I stumbled upon "The Cabin" during a bike tour (click here ). After several weeks of dense smoke and high temperatures, conditions improved slightly, so I headed out to for a getaway.

After a little over an hour on the highway and twenty minutes or so on dirt I arrived.

It was great to be back. It felt like visiting an old friend.

The burros were still around in abundance along with the familiar serenity.

I went for a ride each day, progressively going further and further out.

This small ghost town was one of several highlights.

Healing.

Pothole Dome

Both Mary and I were looking to escape the heat of the valley and go for a sightseeing stroll. We decided to explore the area around Pothole Dome.

The trail begins by skirting the eastern edge of the splendid Tuolumne Meadows.

The Tuolumne River flows through a series of stunning granite cascades and riffles here.

Foam patterns.

More foam patterns

Just northwest of Pothole Dome the river flows across a huge expanse of smooth granite.

then enters another fine meadow.

 We left the river and hiked crosscountry to the top of Pothole Dome (right foreground).

  

This is an easy and rewarding hike with few crowds (except on the dome). Just what Mary and I were looking for.

Matthes Lake

Yep! Another day trip to Tuolumne Meadows. We joined our friends Jim and Elysia who suggested a visit to Matthes Lake. I was a bit intimidated by the fourteen mile distance of the hike, but I had just seen some incredible photos of Matthes Lake on the inteweb so I it was well worth a try.

Gorgeous granite near the start.

We took a short break for photos and food above Cathedral Lakes with Cathedral Peak presiding.

 J&E cruise on down to Echo Lake.

Echo Peaks above Echo Lake

Soon we arrived at Matthes Lake with the fantastic Matthes Crest overhead.

Jim brought his wetsuit and went for a solid swim. The rest of us did the quick and invigorating in/out dip.

Echo Peaks and Lake on the way out

Most often there was a use trail to follow but even without it navigating and cross country hiking was easy.

At Cathedral Pass we were back on the JMT.

 A lot more people on that stretch. Busy but not crowded.

The fourteen miles went down a lot easier that I anticipated. There are very few steep sections and the walking is mostly easy and pleasant. Completely worth it. Matthes Lake is simply unreal!

Strava entry www.strava.com/activities/3952110934