Yosemite Saddlebag Lake Day 6

Our final day was spent mostly outside the park boundaries at Saddlebag and Cascade Lakes. They are out past Tioga Pass entrance at the east end of the park. Saddlebag Lake is part of the Inyo National Forest. There is a campground there and it is a popular destination for fisherman. The lake is named Saddlebag because it is sort of shaped like its name.

The hike would take us around the lake and was mostly flat as we went around the wide trail. In the first mile or so we spotted a Bald Eagle doing some fishing. It circled up high then dove down close to the water. It appeared to grab a fish and then it flew off, probably to enjoy its breakfast.

As we continued around the lake we hiked past Steelhead lake, probably named for the kind of fish that can be caught there. The water was so clear, that we could see many fish swimming around, if you had sunglasses that were polarized. We then headed up to a set of small lakes that are named after the fact that they appear to cascade into each other.

We got high enough that we found a patch of snow to play in. It was not quite slush yet, but more the consistency of Corn Snow. Corn snow is snow that has gone under multiple melt-freeze cycles. Many of the boys climbed to the top and slide down. It was short, steep, slippery and fun.

We eventually headed back down to the lake trail and down to the water’s edge. The water was much colder than the other times we had gone swimming but some of the boys and ASMs were still crazy enough to go all the way in, some got in and out quick, but a couple of them stayed in for a long time. Once we packed up we headed back to the trail head and stopped at the concession stand, most of the boys had cheese burgers again. It seemed to be about 50/50 on which burger place had the best cheese burgers.

Our last big activity of the trip was an out door program at Lembert Dome. Ranger Margret Eissler played the flute using songs from different countries while some of the folks from the audience read quotes from astronauts on the how they were inspired by viewing the Earth from space. Dario, Barbra, Christine and Dr Bryon where some of the readers. After the program a few of us hiked a bit higher up the face of the dome to view the spectacular sunset. It was a very nice way to put the cap on a great week.

Thanks to all those that put in so much time and effort to make the trip possible.