Little Lakes Valley -Rock Creek Canyon- Backpack

[teejay]

I packed in to Box Lake on upper Rock Creek in the Little Lakes Valley on Monday. This particular lake is about 2 miles from the Mosquito Flats trailhead and is located in the John Muir Wilderness.
The original plan was to make a base camp at Box and day hike to some of the other lakes in the area. However, an upset stomach nixed that plan. Anyway, it was all good: just hanging out at Box Lake provided plenty of R&R along with fine fishing.
Unfortunately, my camera battery died after the first day.




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View south from Box Lake inlet towards Bear Creek Spire and other high peaks above Little Lakes Valley. The smoke from the Yosemite fire made for hazy skies.




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Campsite at Box Lake. Elevation 10,480ft. Nights were chilly.


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View from lake inlet towards Morgan Peak ridge.


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View north from lake inlet. The reeds in the shallow inlet area provide for a good insect base for the trout to feed on. The brookies seemed to prefer the marshy area.


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A mother duck and her two ducklings (unable to get all in photo) squat out my fishing spot. Hey, guys. I was here first!


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Brook Trout to 9 inches.


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East end of lake has large rocky outcrop and deep water. The rainbows seemed to prefer this area of the lake. Overall, fishing was best in the evening.


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Rainbow Trout to 10 inches.


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Sunset over Box Lake: A beautiful finale to a wonderful trip.

[jig fish]

very nice photography :Cool:

[IncredibleHuck]

Thanks for sharing! I'm going up there and doing that hike in two weeks! How was the weather up there during the day? And the night? Did you make it up to the Gem Lakes?

We are just doing a day hike in, so we'll see how far we get back in.

[fishntoss]

Do you think the upset stomach was from the altitude??Sorry to hear about that. Looks like you had a nice time anyway..Beautiful pix...

[teejay]

very nice photography :Cool:

Thanks but all I do is point and shoot. It’s so beautiful up there that its hard not to get a nice picture.


Thanks for sharing! I'm going up there and doing that hike in two weeks! How was the weather up there during the day? And the night? Did you make it up to the Gem Lakes?
We are just doing a day hike in, so we'll see how far we get back in.

Overall, mostly pleasant short sleeve weather during the day with chilly nights -although not freezing. Of course alot can change in two weeks. Be prepared.
I didn't make it up to the Gems this trip but we hiked up there last year. I recall it being around 4 miles to Gem from the trailhead; but dont sweat it if you dont make it all the way: there are plenty of other nice lakes on the trail that you can stop at.
Also, the trail is popular with day hikers so you want to get to the trailhead early enough to get a parking spot. Have fun!


Do you think the upset stomach was from the altitude??Sorry to hear about that. Looks like you had a nice time anyway..Beautiful pix...

Altitude can surely do that but I never had that issue before. Of course, things can change with a person. I have a hunch the stomach upset was a combo of the fast food in Bishop and my menu for the trip.
Thanks.

[Natural Lefty]

Teejay, that brings back memories for me. I used to dayhike to Box Lake with family members probably at least once every summer, but haven't been there in many years now. It sounds like the fishing is still about the same as it was then, except I think there were also Brown Trout in Box Lake. I am surprised you didn't catch any of those. There are also two good fishing lakes just to the Northeast side of Box Lake, which are more secluded, by the way. Did you go to those?

[teejay]

Teejay, that brings back memories for me. I used to dayhike to Box Lake with family members probably at least once every summer, but haven't been there in many years now. It sounds like the fishing is still about the same as it was then, except I think there were also Brown Trout in Box Lake. I am surprised you didn't catch any of those. There are also two good fishing lakes just to the Northeast side of Box Lake, which are more secluded, by the way. Did you go to those?

Yes, there are browns in Box but they always seem to elude me. I’ve only managed to catch one in all the times that I’ve fished that lake.
Speaking about those lakes tucked away on the northeast of Box, I’ve never fished there. I have only seen a partial view of them from the ridge west of Box and I just assumed that they would be difficult to access because of the reeds. Well, I guess that I need to give them a closer look next time.
Thanks

[Natural Lefty]

Teejay, I believe they are named Hidden Lakes (because they are difficult to find). The lower one is mostly surrounded by reeds, and is actually connected to Box Lake by what I would describe as an outlet channel. I think it is basically the same elevation as Box Lake, but the outlet does have a noticeable current. Being the type of habitat that Brook Trout like (small, shallow, and reedy), it is full of Brookies, and I found it accessible near its inlet. The other lake is a short distance upstream, has a beautiful, waterfall inlet, and a good population of Brookies and Rainbows. It has a very nice fishable area around its outlet, but with the waterfall, the inlet area is very steep. I didn't see any Browns in that one, though. I think I have caught some Browns in Box Lake before. They are in most of the lakes throughout the valley, except for some of the highest lakes.

[Trout-Slayer77]

beautiful pics !!!! thanks for the report