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Virginia Lakes Area
A few months ago an idea was formulated to do a group snowshoe trip into the Sierra. That was the easy part, but where would we go? Someone mentioned Virginia Lakes. That sounded good to me. I've driven by there several times, but never stopped. We set a date for March 21, 2003 and Ed, The Naviguesser, Shosh, Tone, Wind Walker, Wingding and I made the journey from all parts of California to spend a night out in the snow-covered eastern Sierra.
Our route would take us along the 6-mile, un-plowed road to the Virginia Lakes trailhead. Snowshoes aren't necessary yet as the snow is packed from snowmobile usage. Our destination lies someplace between here and there. Perhaps just around the next bend.
Some snowshoe trip this is starting out to be. I'm thinking we could have driven this far!
We finally get into enough snow to justify wearing the snowshoes. Ed is the only one who brought skis.
Blue skies, fair temperatures and beautiful scenery. It doesn't get any better than this!
Shosh and Ed pause along the road while we decide where we are going to camp. This area looks good, but how about around the next bend? It looks like it could be a better spot.
While half of the group stopped a quarter mile back to have a snack, a few of us went up ahead to search out the area. We ran into this lone snowmobile rider (pun intended) and asked him about the conditions ahead and how far it was to the first lake. He was nice enough to ride back to Trumble Lake, the first lake, to get us a mileage reading. He returned a few minutes later to inform us we had a few miles to go to the lake and that there was some flat ground just up ahead.
We decided to find a spot to camp and those that wanted to set out for a day hike to the other lakes could do so. Our spot should be just around the next bend…
We found a suitable location and proceeded to set up camp. Wingding was still not certain where she wanted to set up her tent. I think there may be a good spot just around the next bend…
Shosh is digging out a hole in the snow in front of the vestibule. This makes a good place to put your feet while you sit inside the tent. It also makes a good place to cook if the wind starts to pick up. Which by now has started to do just that.
Wind Walker is already settled down and getting ready for hot dogs and hamburgers.
I brought along my family backpacking tent, the REI <em>Taj-3</em>. Quite over-kill for one person, but I've been curious how it would perform in the snow and it only weighed 8 ounces more than the two-person Sierra Designs <em>Meteor Light</em> that I normally bring on winter trips.
Ed has dug himself a snow shelter for the evening. No tent for him, "Tents are for wimps"!
Tone and The Naviguesser staked their claim in the trees. The view may not have been as nice, but it would prove to be a better and warmer location as the evening progressed.
As most of the group prepare for a day hike, all I feel like doing is relaxing at camp. The scenery here is awesome and besides, I'm just recovering from a surgery a month ago and really don't want to push my luck.
I wonder down the road we just came in on to see how the weather is looking. Clouds are starting to move in.
<em>"Part your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke."</em> ~Psalm 144:5
The rest of the group makes it back before dark. By now the temperature has dropped to near freezing and the winds are blowing fiercely. After fixing dinner, nobody is too enthusiastic about staying outside any longer than necessary…except Ed. He has no choice. We all retire early to ride out the storm, unsure of what we will face in the coming hours.
We all made it through the long and windy night without any problems. Despite the ever-present winds, there is nothing like sunrise in the Sierra to start the day!
The sun didn't stay too long and unfortunately neither are we. These weekend getaways never seem to last long enough.
Hiker Dude is already packed and waiting his next adventure!
We depart under cloudy skies. Quite the contrast to when we arrived yesterday.
We straggle back down to the parking lot and stop for one more group picture. Hiker Dude is missing, maybe he's taking the picture? It's time to go our separate ways. It has been a real pleasure to hike with this bunch and I'm looking forward to when we meet again. Until next time…
Posted
February 25, 2022
in
by
“Hikin Mike”
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