Walking In the Sierra National Forest

A bit disappointing today, we were going to go back to Yosemite and to the Glacier Point Drive to go to McGurk Meadows and hike.  We broke down the other day and I bought a new pair of hiking boots.  Not shoes, but boots.  Wanted to see if getting more support around my ankles would help me hike where I would not think about where I put my left foot.  Drove into Fresno, went to REI,  and did the dead, now just had to test them out.

Woot, Woot!  New boots!!!

Due to the snow the last couple of days in the high Sierras (Yosemite), Glacier Point was closed.  Bummer.  So, turned right around because we did not want to deal with all the traffic in the park and drove back towards Coarsegold and turned off to go to Bass Lake.  This is a man-made lake formed by damming the Willow Creek back in 1910 and today the water provides electricity downstream to the San Joaquin Valley near Fresno.

Waiting to enter Yosemite - lots of people

Bummer

Did a U turn right after entrance station and left

Glimpse of Bass Lake from parking lot

Lovely walk

Trail went almost straight up before coming to a great view point

Only 1/2 mile wide by 4 miles long, is a pretty lake none the less.  Boating, swimming, fishing, camping, water-skiing, picnicking. Stopped at a rangers station and got information about where to hike.  Unfortunately last year's fire has many areas still closed, as well as campgrounds and day-use picnic areas.  Suggested we hike the Way Of The Mono trail.  Was very impressed.  Because of the fire last year the wild flowers are so abundant.  Wow!  Beautiful!  The small and dainty ones blew us away.  Heard the birds chirping.  Every now and then could get a strong wiff of last year's fire.

Fire means wild flowers the next spring

Right out of the rocks!

I like the contrast of this tree to the water below

I can see little faces in this flower

View from the top of the granite hill

And, my boots got a good workout, the trail was a bit steep in some areas, climbing across granite rocks and down along a small stream.  They will do the trick.  My ankles seem to be quite stable in them, I did not think about where my left foot was going to be.  Lets hope things continue like this - I like them!

Good test for boots

In the forest, then out in the burned area, then back into forest

And back down towards the car

Took a lot of pictures of flowers.  So many different kids, the colors just gorgeous.  Off in the distance was a nest high in a burned out tree, maybe an osprey nesting? Could still see snow in the higher elevations, a lovely day to be outside and to test out my boots.

Maybe an osprey in there?

Not sure if we will be able to get back to Yosemite, snow is forecast for the park for the next couple of days.  We leave Friday for Reno/Carson City, Nevada and not sure if we can get- hope so.