July 19, 2013 - Lone Pine Lake

Title: July 19, 2013 - Lone Pine Lake

Trail head: Whitney Portal

Hike Info:

Trail: Trail up to Lone Pine Lake

Destination:Lone Pine Lake

Distance:  6.37 miles
Start Time: 9:38
End Time: 3:35

Travel Time: 5:57 (1.07 mph)

Moving Time: 3:21 (1.90 mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,208'

Maximum Elevation: 10,110'

Description:

After coming down from Trail Camp yesterday, we debated about what we want to do while waiting for Andrea. I am for going going back and meeting Andrea since she is hiking down today. It is a real joy to hear what she did to surprise us. So it is back up the trail, but with a twist. We had not taken a look at Lone Pine Lake.So a side trip will be taken there as well.

Towards Lone Pine Lake

So back up the trail we go. Somehow the trail is not as bad going up as I thought it would be. Sort of thought it would be a huff and puff time. While not exactly sprinting up, a good pace was kept, even passing people. When a backpacker  is met coming down, I chat with them, asking where did they come from? Where did they sleep last night? Have they seen a women about 30, probably hiking alone? The answer to all was no. On the other hand there was several people impressed that somebody would be going back up this trail willingly. But for our daughter, gladly.

Going up, I even see Larry and Paul. Glad that they are making it and enjoying it.They were only a day behind Sherri and I. About eleven get up to the junction with Lone Pine Lake. I leave my hat and a note for Andrea saying gone off to the Lake will return back in half an hour or so.

The trail is pretty eroded down to the lake, a bit steep. Not sure what to make of the lake, seems a bit desolate. Maybe because most other lakes you see either it rock rimmed or grasses and bush around it. But Lone Pine has soil, but not a lot of low vegetation.

Yesterday's View of Lone Pine Lake

After enjoying the lake for a few minutes, I go back up to a rock beside the trail down from Whitney. After lunch, I resume my questioning of innocent passersby's. Still not word-one person thought he saw someone like her, but it really did not match her. I read and rest and enjoy the sunshine. But no Andrea. Around 2, it is decided to turn back. The trip down is pretty quick and uneventful.

Gary At Lone Pine Lake

We decide to stay another night and check into the Dow Villa Motel. The Days Inn is full. While having dinner at Carl's Jr, we get a call from Andrea. She is coming down and thinks she will be there are 8. So around 7:30 we make it back up to Whitney Portal. I take off up the trail—it is becoming an old friend by now. I go up about a mile and finally meet Andrea, hobbling down the trail. She had sprained her ankle a day before. So I take her pack and we go back down. Steven does spring off a rock-he has hiked up a good ways. A joyful reunion occurs. She takes a bath and we go out for pizza.