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Hoover Wilderness Bridgeport CA (June 03) 2 Days Total Miles- 18 Vertical - 7092' to 9500' Another short one night backpacking trip, but that was fine because I was solo and excited to hike in an area near northern Yosemite. I got up early to start the 3 hr drive to the Twin Lakes trailhead out of Bridgeport. I have driven by these mountains countless times on the way to Mammoth and every time I drove by I wondered what it would be like hiking in them. They always had an inviting look to them, green rolling hills in the foreground with snow covered peaks above.
Before starting the hike, I had to stop at the Ranger station in Bridgeport. I talked to the ranger there who said that he had not talked to anyone who had been up yet this early in the year. The ranger said he would be hiking in tomorrow and I might see him. I guess I would be the first. This is the road from Bridgeport to twin lakes. I hiked behind the mountains that are seen here.
After parking my truck at the Twin lakes trailhead I was off. The first part of the hike was through the forest. Then it opened up to a beautiful meadow, a valley filled with yellow flowers.
There was then a very steep section. It was really green and thick in places.
Seen here at Barney Lake. Good views of Crown point which I would be heading to. After Barney I got to a river that there was no easy way across due to high runoff. I had to take my boots off and wade across. The water was freezing. There was another sketchy crossing further ahead again. My trekking poles definitely helped out.
After crossing a few snowfields I arrived at Crown lake. I was tired after a fast 8 miles and 2500ft of elevation gain. After putting up the tent I basically ate and went to bed. I was tired after a powering the 8 miles and 2500ft. I took a few pictures of the lake including the one above. The next morning I was up, recharged and hiked up a nearby boulder while the suns rays hit the surrounding snow covered peaks. MOVIE
After packing up camp, I got up and dayhiked to Peeler Lake. It was a short side trip before hitting the trail back down the valley. This lake is interesting because its waters flow over both sides of the Sierra divide. One side empties towards the East, the other towards the west. I had lunch here, it was a great overlook of Peeler Lake and the surrounding area. I shot several pictures for this pano and started back down to Twin Lakes.
I finished the 8 mi hike back to the car and headed back to Reno. This was a pretty area with lots of variety and would be a good place to do a loop and continue past Crown or Peeler lake intoYosemite.
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