Gibbs Lake

Gibbs Lake is a small lake back dropped by Mount Gibbs (12,764′) and Mount Dana (13,057′). The lake is located in the Ansel Adams Wilderness at an elevation of 9530′. The trailhead is located at the end of a 3 mile dirt road in Upper Horse Meadows in the town of Lee Vining. Join us on a recent snowshoe trip…

On the morning of April 6, 2002 Tekapo, Snow Nymph and I met at the Forest Service road off of highway 395 for a snowshoe trip into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. We are heading to Kidney Lake, a small kidney-shaped lake nestled in a cirque between Mount Gibbs and Mount Dana. In case the lake is inaccessible, Gibbs Lake will be our back-up. Snow Nymph leads the way to the trailhead. The mountains welcome us…with arms wide open…or was that the song we were listening to?

We were able to make it to within a quarter of a mile from the end of the road before we encountered snow on the road. We had four wheel drive, but decided to err on the side of caution. No sense in getting stuck! After a few minutes of final preparations, we put our packs on and start our journey. I've got the heaviest pack at 52 lbs, but the lightest snowshoes. Thank you <a href="http://www.northernlites.com/">Northern Lite's</a>!

We planned on hiking 7 miles, but the unexpected clear road saved us half of that. We are sure to make it to Kidney Lake by dusk, so we trek through the snow patches at Upper Horse Meadow and press on towards Mount Gibbs.

After a quarter of a mile we reach the Gibbs Lake Trailhead. We navigate through the narrow passage beside the gate closure and begin to climb. The trail heads toward Mount Gibbs, up Gibbs Canyon and follows Gibbs Creek, gaining approximately 1600' in a little over 3 miles. Mr. Gibbs must have been a very popular man.

Should we keep our snowshoes on? Rather than constantly take our snowshoes on and off, we reason there is just enough snow to keep them on.

What was that I said about the snow? We do more rockshoeing than snowshoeing at times. The Sierra had a storm the past weekend. Where is all of the snow?

Finally as we continue to gain in altitude the dirt and rocks are replaced with snow. Except for the occasional faded ski tracks, we see no sign of anybody besides ourselves here.

Our group begins to succumb to winter's grasp on the land. Tekapo accidentally steps out of his snowshoes. This was to be a preview of things to come!

The snow is deeper still, about 4 feet on average. The trail is still easy to find for now, but the unstable snow is making for slow progress. Why hurry when you have all of this to take in? That is a lesson that I try hard to learn. Patience.

We stop along the trail for lunch. By now my snow baskets have come off twice, requiring the snow shovels to come out to find them. Having just purchased one, I was somewhat glad to put it to use.

The snow claims yet another victim. Snow Nymph is swallowed up and had to be dug out. Good thing she's not wearing her shorts now! I too get my turn in the snow. I was too busy getting myself unstuck and trying to find my snow basket to think about getting a picture.

By now it is late afternoon. Storm clouds have been following us for the last hour or so, even a couple of snowflakes. I'm a little concerned about the weather. I brought my Sierra Designs Light Year tent. It isn't free-standing or four-season and it is the first time I've used it in the snow. Under cloudy skies we push on towards Mount Gibbs. Kidney Lake is becoming an unlikely goal.

Tekapo leads the way with GPS in hand as Mount Dana comes into view. The two of us have plans this August to climb Mount Dana, Mount Gibbs and maybe Mount Lewis on an extended weekend.

I pause on a snow bridge over Gibbs Creek. Not a smart thing to do, but I thought it would make for a good picture!

It's hard to tell from this picture but this is frozen Gibbs Lake and Mount Gibbs. This shot, along with about six others were taken from my JVC Mini DV camera. Taking a video camera has its benefits, it's kind of like taking still pictures with a shotgun…your sure to get something! Looking back on the trip now, I should have tried to get a better view of the lake and mountain. Why do I think about that after the trip?

The next morning we awoke to clear skies. The storm decided to bypass us.

No clouds over <a href="/trailhead/day-hiking-trips/mount-dana/">Mount Dana</a> this morning. It's hard to believe I was on top of that peak in July of 2001.

It took us 8 hours to get here. We reason that by following our tracks from the day before and avoiding the soft snow areas, it wouldn't take us as long to get back to the trailhead, so we lounge around camp for a while before packing up. Those bear canisters come in handy!.

Of course, what trip would be complete without the tourist-style picture!

Following our tracks as we head back to the trailhead. That's Mono Lake through the trees.

One last stop beside Gibbs Creek. It is so peaceful here. Just the sound of water. Can you hear it?

With all that climbing the day before, it sure is nice not to deal with much of that today. What goes up…must go down!

Looking behind us as the mountains disappear into the forest, waiting to resurface again.

"Gibbs Lake" Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA It's always refreshing to immerse yourself in your surroundings. Tekapo and Snow Nymph take some time to stop and smell the roses, I mean tree! ….Vanilla!

Back to bare ground at Upper Horse Meadow. This time we are carrying the snowshoes.

The group. I didn't know how to use the timer on my point-and-shoot camera, so I set the camcorder on the hood of the truck and pressed record!

One last look back at Mount Gibbs from the Forest Service road and its time to head home. Thank you Tekapo and Snow Nymph for your company. I hope to hike with the two of you soon!