• Miles 4

• Elevation Gain 625 Feet

• Highest Elevation on Trail 8,320 Ft

• Total Mile so far for the 54 for Dave 15.1!

Pledge Drive Status

It is snowing as I finished to blog post. I will be lucky to get one more hikes in before winter sets in. Would really love to be over 50% of my $2,500 goal before winter closes the door. So if you are so inclined now would be a great time to donate!

The Hike to Parker Lake

If I only had one more hike in the Sierra I would chose Parker Lake in the fall. I almost hesitate to tell people about this hike as I want this one all to myself.

Alas, his hike is already well known and listed as one of the top 10 hikes on the Mono County web site.

The hike to Parker Lake gives you tastes of almost all of the Sierra' treasures:

• Great Vista - Mono Lake

• Exposed Open Sagebrush

• Fall Colors

• Trail through beautiful Pine and Aspens

• Trail along side a 20+ foot wide stream – Parker Creek

• Stunningly beautiful lake at the base of Sierra peaks – Parker Peak, Mt. Wood and Mt. Lewis

I got off to an early start to beat the sun and morning wind. Parker Lake has stunning mirror reflections if there in no wind. Driving to the trail head I was excited because this morning had clouds. The Sierra is beautiful but even better when they are framed with clouds.

FYI. The pictures above the were taken on the way back because it was too dark to take when I was starting out.

The clouds where out and creating a dilemma. Do I wait and see if the clouds turn red or keep going to arrive at the lake before the wind picked up diluting the reflections on the water. Choosing a middle path I moved up the trail slowly, stopping frequently to check the cloud color. The view over the Mono basin was stunning. It was full of pastel colors and a brand new waxing moon. The moon had just a tiny sliver of white but you could still see the faint outline of the entire moon.

The trail starts off with a noticeable climb, gaining 315 feet in the first 0.4 miles on an exposed trail going through sagebrush. It is my least favorite part of the hike because it is up and walking this in the daytime can get hot. Walking pre-dawn allows you to get past this section without walking in the hot sun. It also gives you a unique view of Mono Lake waking up for the day.

My pace up the trail allowed me to get into the Pines and Aspens before direct morning light. The Aspen's yellow and orange leaves glowed in the indirect light creating beautiful contrasts with the darker Pines. I could have spent all morning with the Aspens but kept pushing onward to the lake before the reflections disappeared.

After a while of meandering in the trees the trail starts to parallel Parker Creek. The creek is pretty wide, 20+ feet in many sections. It is so relaxing to stroll next the creek to it or just sit and soak it in.

Finally, the trail crests and the incredibly beautiful Parker Lake opened up in front of me. I couldn't help but smile as the lake surface was as smooth a polished glass. It was sporting a mirror image of Parker Peak and Mount Wood as well as the closer rugged southeastern slope of Mount Lewis.

Parker Lake is a great hike anytime but it is especially rewarding in the fall!

Here is how we are doing on the pledge drive!

15.1 miles in the books - 39 more to go!.  Here is to you Dave!

Thank You(s)

Thank You - Rick and Lori Jackson, Thank You - Mike and Monica Barnett, Thank You - Ed Nash, Thank You - Pam Eye, Thank You - Emily Aguto. Thank You - Rob Wynner, Thank You- Matt Garelik, Thank You - Jim Langlois, Thank You - Brad and Karen King, Thank You - Anita Sobel  -Thank You -Jeff and Brenda Bissett

We have already reached $795 of our $2,500 goal.  Awesome!  Feel free to share this blog link to anyone who would enjoy the images and stories. Maybe enough to donate

Till next time “Happy trails to you...till we meet again…..”

You can donate to the 54 fro Dave pledge drive at this link.

Slice of Lime Donation Page