Fall Hiking vacation:Eastern Sierra Nevada

**Alan H** · 25th October 08, 01:15 PM

What can I say, it was gorgeous. We stayed at Rock Creek Lodge, on...obviously Rock Creek, and hiked up the Little Lakes Valley, one day, doing about 5-6 miles. The second day we did a short but spectacular hike up the trail to the southern Mono Pass, but stopped at about 11,500 feet at Ruby Lake. The third day we did about 9 miles to Hilton lakes, sitting at just under 11,000 feet. The day after we left it snowed 3-4 four feet! To visit this area, you turn off of Highway 395 ( In California) at Toms Place and drive up Rock Creek. You start hiking at almost 10,000 feet, so most of the work of getting to the Sierra Crest is already done for you.

The Aspen were beautiful!

Me on the morning of the second day, looking around "Second Corral Meadow"

This is the first lake you come to, as you hike up Little Lakes Valley

Alan H and the Luminous Joan , sweaty and happy at the third lake in Little Lakes Valley

**Alan H** · 25th October 08, 01:18 PM

Me in my X-Kilt, sweating up the last little incline to Ruby Lake

The Aspen were unbelievable. I've never seen this display before.

Little Lakes Valley from the Mono Pass trail, at about 10,800 feet, in the afternoon. I HAVE to go back and see this in the Spring.

**Alan H** · 25th October 08, 01:20 PM

Yours Truly at Hilton Lakes #4 (there are six Hilton Lakes)

A nice Sierra Juniper on the way up the ridge out of Rock Creek Valley. These trees get to be 2,000 - 2,500 years old.

**Matty Ross** · 25th October 08, 01:22 PM

What awesome pictures Alan Thanks for sharing them
Matty

**Alan H** · 25th October 08, 01:47 PM

Now that I look at it, that pic of my head is actually at Ruby Lake, not Hilton Lake.

**GDub** · 25th October 08, 01:55 PM

Great pics! I love it up in the high Sierras. A friend and I once did a marathon 4 day hike from the Yosemite Valley, up to Tuolumne Meadows, over Donahue Pass and on down to Devil's Postpile. Hard to beat the natural beauty of Sierras above the tree line!