teejay
09-22-2010, 01:18 AM
I had requested a week off from work several months ago with the consideration of taking a mid September backpacking trip. However, still feeling satisfied from my trip last month, I made the decision instead to catch up on some chores around the house - possibly squeezing in a day of trout fishing at one of the streams in the local mountains. Shortly before my “vacation” was to begin, my nephew asked me if I was planning on taking another trip to the Sierra this year -inviting himself before I even had a chance to respond. He was excited about the opportunity of combining a pack trip into the Little Lakes Valley, where we could establish a base camp, and then taking a day hike up the Mono Pass trail to Ruby Lake. After Ruby, he wanted to continue on cross country up to Mills Lake for a crack at the golden trout.
Not having much enthusiasm for the household tasks at hand, and not wanting to let my nephew down, the plan was put into motion. Although my last trip was to the LLV, the area is just one of those places that keep drawing me back. Anyway, the trip would also give me my chance at visiting some of the off-trail lakes in the valley which I previously eyed on the map.
We left town for the trip up the 395 late Monday morning, as we drove through the Owens Valley, the haze from the fire burning in the Sequoia National Forest was noticeable. We secured our wilderness permit from the ranger station in Bishop, and then it was onward to the Mosquito Flats trailhead at Rock Creek. After some minor arranging of the contents of our packs, we began heading up the trail, soon reaching the Morgan and Mono Pass trail junctions (noticing this time that only Morgan is indicated on the sign post). Taking the Morgan Pass branch, our travel continued up canyon, stopping to make camp just north of Box Lake. Finally breaking out the fishing poles, we squeezed in a little fishing before it was dark.
The next day we hiked over to one of the Hidden Lakes just east of Box Lake. Access to the shore of these lakes is somewhat limited due to marshy areas along the shore.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1711.jpg
Fishing for small brook trout was good.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1707.jpg
While my nephew continued fishing, I moved north over a small ridge in order to check out the three small lakes in that direction. From what I can tell, two of these lakes are too shallow to support any fish. The largest lake of this group, while initially appearing as a fishing prospect, also showed no signs of fish upon close inspection. However, this lake proved to be a contrast in ecosystems and was teaming with a variety of aquatic insects such as water boatmen and striders. Deciding to head back, I traveled a different route which provided an overview of Box Lake.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1710.jpg
After returning to my nephew and giving him a briefing on my explorations, we decided to move south over to the inlet and follow the watercourse up canyon cross-country towards Chickenfoot Lake.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1706.jpg
Along the way, we sampled the pools in the stream for the ever present subcompact brookies. Usually the fish in these small waters are very skittish. These fish were the opposite and would pounce on the fly. After consulting the map, we continued moving upstream, sampling the good fishing for small brooks at the inlet and outlet of a marshy, lake of approximately 2 acres. We then moved diagonally southwest from the marshy area over to a lake of approximately 5 acres which initially appeared to be a good fishing prospect but only provided us with skunk -evidently this lake is fishless or they were all on siesta in the deep water. This particular lake has no inlet or outlet.
We then backtracked over to the stream and continued working our way up through a brief rocky and willow choked section towards Chickenfoot. I was glad at this point that I had my 6 foot spinning rod and not the 9 foot fly rod that I brought along.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/DSCN0324.jpg
I was doing so well with the spinning rod and a foam winged caddis fly combination (either presented free lined or with a clear casting bubble) that I continued to use the same setup for the whole trip. It became a challenge to see how long that I could keep going without loosing or changing the fly. I never changed the fly during the entire trip.
The fly finally began to unravel after three days of hard fishing. Considering that I occasionally used this same fly on my last trip as well, it proved to be a real workhorse.
(Thanks again for the flies City Dad).
We finally reached a small pond just before the outlet of Chickenfoot which contained smaller brookies.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1714.jpg
Hiked up to the outlet and then over to the western shore for yet more brooks and a couple rainbows:
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1716.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1715.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1713.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/DSCN0327.jpg
While we were in this area, we heard a clattering of rocks far up on the shoulder of Mount Morgan. Looking up, we were fortunate to spot a bighorn sheep. This animal was moving confidently along a route that seemed almost impassable. I didn’t realize that there were bighorns in this area. (Not a good picture; look just above the tree and diagonally to the right, around 2:00 position)
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/DSCN0326.jpg
After sampling Chicken foot, we traveled west over to the main trail and hiked back towards camp. We briefly stopped at the outlet of Long Lake and made a few casts but the fish only seemed to be interested in the hatch of small insects that was going on.
On the trail between Long and Box Lake, I was fortunate to spot a Northern Goshawk perched up in a tree (my first sighting in the wild). I tried to take a photo, but as soon as the camera came out it flew off. I also heard its call the following day, so it must be hanging out in the area. We also heard an owl calling in the evening but we were never able to spot it.
In the evening, I fished Box Lake for some more brooks, a couple rainbows, and a brown:
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1719.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1718.jpg
Late the following morning, Wednesday, the nephew asks if I wanted to try the hike up to Mills. I thought that he had forgotten about Mills told him that I was game, not mentioning that I was still sore from the previous day’s activities. I wished that we had gotten an earlier start, but we were soon on the trail, heading back down canyon for a mile or so to the Mono Pass trail junction. The Mono Pass trail immediately begins switch- backing steeply up the canyon wall, affording ever increasing views of the Little Lakes Valley. I was happy that I didn’t have a full pack.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1725.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1731.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1732.jpg
Passing a small tarn along the way.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1726.jpg
Finally arriving at a level section of trail just before the outlet of Ruby.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/DSCN0350.jpg
After pulling a couple brooks out of the outlet stream. We moved up to Ruby itself.
Upon arriving at Ruby, one look at the far shore and the rock chute that we would need to climb up in order to get to Mills Lake convinced me that I was content to stay at Ruby.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1727.jpg
Although we had only traveled less than 3 miles, I was already exhausted at this point. I hadn’t communicated this to the nephew and he soon wanted to press on. However, he was under the impression that Mills was just over the small ridge to the east –a stones throw away- of our location at the outlet. After pointing out the route to him, he said that he was content to just stick around the outlet area and fish.
Fishing for smaller model Brook Trout was good.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1729.jpg
After fishing the outlet awhile, I felt re- energized, and I tried working my way around the north shore of Ruby towards the water coming down from Mills. I thought that I may get lucky and find a pool down low that holds some goldens without having to make the climb. I easily made it around ¾ of the shore of Ruby until I reached a section with a jumble of large rocks mixed in with thorny current bushes, high willows, and boggy springs. After making it through this maze, I realized that there probably wasn’t enough daylight to continue on to my goal and still make it back to camp before dark. I worked my way back towards my nephew at the outlet and we soon headed back to camp. No goldens for us on this trip.
Broke camp early Thursday and headed back to Mosquito Flats. Although we didn’t make it up to Mills like we planned, we had an enjoyable time.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1735.jpg
Not having much enthusiasm for the household tasks at hand, and not wanting to let my nephew down, the plan was put into motion. Although my last trip was to the LLV, the area is just one of those places that keep drawing me back. Anyway, the trip would also give me my chance at visiting some of the off-trail lakes in the valley which I previously eyed on the map.
We left town for the trip up the 395 late Monday morning, as we drove through the Owens Valley, the haze from the fire burning in the Sequoia National Forest was noticeable. We secured our wilderness permit from the ranger station in Bishop, and then it was onward to the Mosquito Flats trailhead at Rock Creek. After some minor arranging of the contents of our packs, we began heading up the trail, soon reaching the Morgan and Mono Pass trail junctions (noticing this time that only Morgan is indicated on the sign post). Taking the Morgan Pass branch, our travel continued up canyon, stopping to make camp just north of Box Lake. Finally breaking out the fishing poles, we squeezed in a little fishing before it was dark.
The next day we hiked over to one of the Hidden Lakes just east of Box Lake. Access to the shore of these lakes is somewhat limited due to marshy areas along the shore.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1711.jpg
Fishing for small brook trout was good.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1707.jpg
While my nephew continued fishing, I moved north over a small ridge in order to check out the three small lakes in that direction. From what I can tell, two of these lakes are too shallow to support any fish. The largest lake of this group, while initially appearing as a fishing prospect, also showed no signs of fish upon close inspection. However, this lake proved to be a contrast in ecosystems and was teaming with a variety of aquatic insects such as water boatmen and striders. Deciding to head back, I traveled a different route which provided an overview of Box Lake.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1710.jpg
After returning to my nephew and giving him a briefing on my explorations, we decided to move south over to the inlet and follow the watercourse up canyon cross-country towards Chickenfoot Lake.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1706.jpg
Along the way, we sampled the pools in the stream for the ever present subcompact brookies. Usually the fish in these small waters are very skittish. These fish were the opposite and would pounce on the fly. After consulting the map, we continued moving upstream, sampling the good fishing for small brooks at the inlet and outlet of a marshy, lake of approximately 2 acres. We then moved diagonally southwest from the marshy area over to a lake of approximately 5 acres which initially appeared to be a good fishing prospect but only provided us with skunk -evidently this lake is fishless or they were all on siesta in the deep water. This particular lake has no inlet or outlet.
We then backtracked over to the stream and continued working our way up through a brief rocky and willow choked section towards Chickenfoot. I was glad at this point that I had my 6 foot spinning rod and not the 9 foot fly rod that I brought along.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/DSCN0324.jpg
I was doing so well with the spinning rod and a foam winged caddis fly combination (either presented free lined or with a clear casting bubble) that I continued to use the same setup for the whole trip. It became a challenge to see how long that I could keep going without loosing or changing the fly. I never changed the fly during the entire trip.
The fly finally began to unravel after three days of hard fishing. Considering that I occasionally used this same fly on my last trip as well, it proved to be a real workhorse.
(Thanks again for the flies City Dad).
We finally reached a small pond just before the outlet of Chickenfoot which contained smaller brookies.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1714.jpg
Hiked up to the outlet and then over to the western shore for yet more brooks and a couple rainbows:
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1716.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1715.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1713.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/DSCN0327.jpg
While we were in this area, we heard a clattering of rocks far up on the shoulder of Mount Morgan. Looking up, we were fortunate to spot a bighorn sheep. This animal was moving confidently along a route that seemed almost impassable. I didn’t realize that there were bighorns in this area. (Not a good picture; look just above the tree and diagonally to the right, around 2:00 position)
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/DSCN0326.jpg
After sampling Chicken foot, we traveled west over to the main trail and hiked back towards camp. We briefly stopped at the outlet of Long Lake and made a few casts but the fish only seemed to be interested in the hatch of small insects that was going on.
On the trail between Long and Box Lake, I was fortunate to spot a Northern Goshawk perched up in a tree (my first sighting in the wild). I tried to take a photo, but as soon as the camera came out it flew off. I also heard its call the following day, so it must be hanging out in the area. We also heard an owl calling in the evening but we were never able to spot it.
In the evening, I fished Box Lake for some more brooks, a couple rainbows, and a brown:
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1719.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1718.jpg
Late the following morning, Wednesday, the nephew asks if I wanted to try the hike up to Mills. I thought that he had forgotten about Mills told him that I was game, not mentioning that I was still sore from the previous day’s activities. I wished that we had gotten an earlier start, but we were soon on the trail, heading back down canyon for a mile or so to the Mono Pass trail junction. The Mono Pass trail immediately begins switch- backing steeply up the canyon wall, affording ever increasing views of the Little Lakes Valley. I was happy that I didn’t have a full pack.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1725.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1731.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1732.jpg
Passing a small tarn along the way.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1726.jpg
Finally arriving at a level section of trail just before the outlet of Ruby.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/DSCN0350.jpg
After pulling a couple brooks out of the outlet stream. We moved up to Ruby itself.
Upon arriving at Ruby, one look at the far shore and the rock chute that we would need to climb up in order to get to Mills Lake convinced me that I was content to stay at Ruby.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1727.jpg
Although we had only traveled less than 3 miles, I was already exhausted at this point. I hadn’t communicated this to the nephew and he soon wanted to press on. However, he was under the impression that Mills was just over the small ridge to the east –a stones throw away- of our location at the outlet. After pointing out the route to him, he said that he was content to just stick around the outlet area and fish.
Fishing for smaller model Brook Trout was good.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1729.jpg
After fishing the outlet awhile, I felt re- energized, and I tried working my way around the north shore of Ruby towards the water coming down from Mills. I thought that I may get lucky and find a pool down low that holds some goldens without having to make the climb. I easily made it around ¾ of the shore of Ruby until I reached a section with a jumble of large rocks mixed in with thorny current bushes, high willows, and boggy springs. After making it through this maze, I realized that there probably wasn’t enough daylight to continue on to my goal and still make it back to camp before dark. I worked my way back towards my nephew at the outlet and we soon headed back to camp. No goldens for us on this trip.
Broke camp early Thursday and headed back to Mosquito Flats. Although we didn’t make it up to Mills like we planned, we had an enjoyable time.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad322/teejaygrady/IMG_1735.jpg