High Sierra Adventures - McGee Creek
Welcome my fellow Steemians to yet another...
California Mountain Adventure!!
For this adventure I decided I needed to get out into some snow while the conditions were still good so I could get some use out of my crampons and ice axe and climb a few big mountains! So I headed up route 395 to Crowley Lake for a trip up McGee creek. I got to the trailhead, got my bag all packed, and headed up the trail.
The start of the Mcgee Creek trail
Hiking up the McGee creek trail
On the hike in the weather got bad fast. Rain, snow, and lots of hail! And as I got up above the snow line it became harder to follow the trail so I had to just navigate my own route. It all worked out good and I arrived at a totally frozen Big McGee lake! I found a small snow free area just above the lake and setup my camp there. It snowed lightly on and off all evening until I went to bed.
Bad weather in McGee creek
A small nameless lake along the trail
Climbing cross country through the snow
Setting up camp at Big McGee lake
Totally frozen Big McGee lake
The next morning I woke up to clear blue skies! It was looking like a great day so I headed out to attempt to climb Red Slate mtn.(13,163'). The approach to the base of the peak took a lot longer than I expected, but the actual climb up the Southeast ridge was fairly easy and I only really needed my crampons and Ice axe for the last 500' or so. The views from the summit were amazing!!
Overlooking Big McGee lake in the morning
Arriving at Little McGee lake which was also totally frozen
Climbing up passed McGee pass
Climbing the southeast ridge of Red Slate mtn.
The final approach to the summit
Summit view looking south
Summit view looking east
Summit view looking north
Me standing on the summit
I sat on top for awhile enjoying the amazing views, but as the clouds started to grow I decided I should start to head down. I got back to camp early and decided to check out the creek below Big McGee lake and do a little trout fishing. A few small snow showers came through, but nothing much and most of the clouds had cleared before sunset. Making for a nice calm evening.
Descending the southeast ridge
Looking back at Red Slate mtn. from McGee pass
Looking west over McGee pass
Exploring McGee creek below my camp
Looking for trout in McGee creek
Last bit of light at Big McGee lake
The next morning I started early and crossed the outlet of Big McGee lake and headed around its southern shore with the intention to climb Red and White mountain(12,816')!
Crossing the outlet of Big McGee lake
Red and White mtn. from the outlet of Big McGee lake
Overlooking Big McGee lake
The approach was much shorter than Red Slate mtn., but the climb was much steeper and quite a bit more technical. But the snow conditions were great on the climb up and I got to the summit without any major problems.
Starting the climb up to Red and White mtn.
Making my way up the southeast face
Looking down the southeast face
And of course the views from the summit were incredible! I found the register and signed in... and the last person to sign in was... me! Haha! From my trip through the Mono creek basin back in September!! It was so cool to be back, but this time in the snow! I got my summit photos and ate my lunch and then began my descent.
Arriving at the summit of Red and White mtn.
Summit shot looking north with Red Slate mtn. dominating the scenery
On the way down the snow had gotten much softer and was getting very slippery and causing small avalanches all over. So as soon as I could I got onto some snow free talus and descended a lot of the steep stuff on the rocks. I got back down safely to my camp at Big McGee lake and got to enjoy one last night camping up in the snow!
Descending from Red and White mtn.
Descending back down to Big McGee lake
Back at Big McGee lake
Back at camp
Views from camp
Glowing clouds over Red and White mtn.
So after my third and final night at Big McGee lake I packed up my camp and headed down the mountain. It was a beautiful blue sky day and I just strolled out casually enjoying every step, stopping often to play with the little trout in the creek, wishing I never had to leave... a great ending to another amazing adventure!!
McGee creek with Red and White mtn. in the distance
McGee creek
McGee creek
The upper bridge on the McGee creek trail
McGee creek
The lower bridge on the McGee creek trail
Exiting the John Muir Wilderness and arriving back at the trailhead
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That looks like a great adventure!
I remember once when I was visiting Denver and we went on a guided mountain tour- we left Denver and it was 68-degrees and sunny- got up the mountain and a snow storm was coming in- temp was 30-degrees and snow was falling like crazy. I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt- DANG!
Wow - that looks SO BEAUTIFUL! Is it still so snowy at this time of year - ie was it a recent trip?
Yup. There's still lots of snow in the High Sierra!
This is a great post. What an adventure! The snow looks amazing although I can't believe you weren't wearing full length pants/trousers while setting up camp. That must have been very, very cold.
Thanks for sharing so many great pictures
Thanks @supernovastaffy. I'm guessing long johns, pants, and jackets were all next on the to-do list right after getting the tent up and the stuff inside!!
These photos are so amazing! I would love to check out those lakes and steams for some fish!
Thanks @papacrusher! The high sierra is loaded with trout. The thing is that a majority of them are pretty small, but there are places where you can find some nice lunkers! Sometimes where you'd least expect. The biggest trout I found in McGee creek was probably only 8"-10''. The small guys are still fun to play with (and not too smart so you can just catch 'em like crazy sometimes. lol.), but if Big McGee lake wasn't totally frozen I bet I could have found some larger trout in there.
Oh my God ... very very beautiful, I am amazed to see it.
It feels very cold in the middle of a hilltop surrounded by snow ..
everything looks white !! cool
Isn't it beautiful!! I just love it way up there in the High Sierra. Just me and the snow and the rocks. It's so refreshing to experience that purity. It can be very cold, but if you are ready for it then it's no problem. If you're not adequately prepared then it can be quite dangerous... but when you are experienced you learn to be properly prepared for all that nature can throw at you and even when you find tough conditions it can be quite an amazing experience.
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OMG! Your photos are stunning! My favourite is "Descending to McGee Lake".
Thanks you @cookntell. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos! There are so many good ones, it would be tough for me to pick a favorite, but that one is a pretty good one.