Desolation Wilderness in late June after a record snow year

[Alex Wallace]

Wet trails with lots of debris.

Snow still lingering and water everywhere.

Easy to find bare ground, but most spots were saturated.

This cute little devil chewed up my map and the reservoir to my water filter.

This lake was about 50% melted out.

Careful of snow bridges…

A bit icy in spots required the use of microspikes.

[Bruce Tolley]

Awesome photos. Thanks for sharing.

Cute marmot….Was your map smeared with chocolate by chance???

[Roger Caffin]

Wonderful photos!
Cheers

[Alex Wallace]

Thanks.

Ha! No chocolate or other food on the map, which was a nice Tom Harrison one. I have no idea why it chose that, but I’m super thankful the little bugger didn’t go for my hipbelt, tent, sleeping bag, etc. I spent over an hour picking up all the little shreds from my map.

[jscott]

I love Desolation (west side of the lake) early in season, with snow. Just like you found, or a bit less! Some years I’ve dayhiked up to Dick’s Lake (past Velmas) in April and it looks like your pictures. It’s too late  to ski but the snow is compact. May, things are often really melted out. Not this year! Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the creeks and rivers flowing like that. What a great trip! Where were you?

I wonder if the late season has left critters hungry and more bold about chewing on possible food? My most aggressive bear encounter by far was over the fourth of July weekend many years ago in Yosemite when the snow was still solid at 8000 feet or so. few had hiked in and the bears may have missed their backpacking treats!

[W I S N E R !]

Nice.

 

[W I S N E R !]

Nice shots, great country.

[jscott]

Is that the outflow from Dick’s lake going into the Velma lakes?

[Alex Wallace]

Thanks, fellas. Great country indeed!

Jscott, Twin & Island lakes. The braided waterfall above Twin Lakes spills from what I’ve heard referenced as Silver Dagger Lake, but it’s unnamed on most maps.

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