We’ve stayed at this dispersed campground twice before. It’s in Hope Valley, at the intersection of Route 88 and 89. Great place to stay when you want to go to South Lake Tahoe.
Sat around read and crocheted. Good rest day.
Sunset gave us a pretty display.
started our morning off with a foot soak in the Whitmore Tub. We turned off 395 at Benton Crossing at the historic green church (for future reference). There are a couple spots for our RV. Next year!
Sierras are in the background.
What we see from a camp site.
Left camp for a hike on the Fairy Forest Loop Trail. Although it is only a 1.5 mile hike, it was straight up through the John Muir Wilderness before it started downhill along the Hilton Creek.
A few wildflowers were at the last stages of blooming.
A look back to Crowley Lake from about 7,560 ft
We walked through pines and aspens, a nice hike through the “fairy” forest.
Crossed Hilton Creek for a little rest before finishing. Look at the little bridge we crossed. A little shaky.
As we got closer to the end of the hike this rubber rabbitbrush was blooming.
We had wanted to go to the brewery in Bishop BUT the temp there was 103! Decided to go back to Distant Brewery in Mammoth.
We decided today would be our kayak day z and boy what an adventure.
Beautiful lake, easy access at Fish Camp. If/when we come back to the east Side of the Sierras, we want to stay at Fish Camp, right at the lake.
Look how ca the water is.
Sierra Mountain range all around us.
We wanted to kayak to the columns that Carl and Shan took us to several years ago. BUT we didn’t make it the wind kicked up. Since it was so hard to row, we had to walk our kayaks for a bit.
After a lot of rowing hard, we finally made it as far Pelican Island. Still not back at the place we launched our kayaks but there was a road I could walk back to the truck and drive to pick up Bill and the kayaks. Another adventure but neither one of us wants to do that again soon.
Here’s a look back at where we had kayaked to before the winds picked up…a long way!
After a rest and some lunch, we jumped in the truck and went to explore some hot springs.
We are going back tomorrow morning when it’s 60 degrees no 91!
There’s one other hot springs we found called Wild Willy’s. Of course we had to try that one, too. A long walk to reach them but on a boardwalk.
That’s it for today, 13,000 steps.
Our next adventure is at Crowley Lake. The “campground” I had booked was in a mobile home park, packed in like sardines. So not ideal but we have hook ups and it’s near Crowley Lake. Plus, we have met our next door neighbors, Gordon and Daylight. They have made their home so inviting with plants. This spot is the highlight of the park.
When we arrived, we took the afternoon to wind down from all the excitement of the past several fun-filled days.
So many fun memories on this trip. Hard to leave. Couple last laughs with the kids and Carl doing their yoga moves.
Last of this group picture at this campground for a while. Shan, Carl, Arlo and Donna headed back to Nevada City and Grass Valley. Ilana, Eric, Orrie , and ADi back to LA. Shuff, me and Lenny are going further south in the Sierras to Crowley Lake.
Before everyone went their separate ways, the group decided to take a ride on the gondola.
So many fun memories for all but I’m sure the kids will talk about this for a long time.
The weather in the Sierras is unpredictable. Sun and blue skies in the morning, so the group took off to hike to McCloud Lake. It’s about a 1/2 mile but
It is uphill. Definitely worth it.
The 3 munchkins at McCloud Lake.
Off the mountain, back at camp, Arlo’s fishing rod got stuck in the tree. Fun watching them get it unstuck.
Mammoth Brewery for dinner.
Sunset and moonrise at Camp High Sierra.
Shuff and I took off on our bikes on the Lakes Basin Trail. Not quite like our rail to trail riding. Lots of incline and curves. I had to stop and drink more than usual because of the altitude. The trail had great views
Once we got to the top of the trail, we were at Horseshoe Lake. Shan, Carl , Arlo, Ilana, Eric, Orrie, and Addie met us and we kayaked around the lake.
Carl bought Arlo a fishing rod. That was a big hit.
Dinner back at the RV. The Alsups and Donna were in charge. The rest of us played in the dirt or took a rest.
