Gary-Summer: July 14, 2016 - Return From Ostrander Lake

Thursday, July 14, 2016

July 14, 2016 - Return From Ostrander Lake

Title: July 14, 2016 - Return From Ostrander Lake
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Menu : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Ostrander Lake

Hike Info:

Type: Backpacking

Trail: Ostrander Lake

Destination: Lost Bear Meadow Trail Head

Distance: 6.22 miles

Start Time: 9:01

End Time: 12:49

Travel Time: 3:47 (1.64 mph)

Moving Time: 2:57 (2.11 mph)

Elevation Rise: 301'

Maximum Elevation: 8,555'

Description:

Slept well last night, even got a bit more sleep-slept well past the rising sun. Got up around 6:40. Feeling a lot more rested. I spend some time by the lake reading and enjoying the quiet of the morning. Sherri gets up about an hour after I do.

Ostrander Lake

We have a normal breakfast and then slowly get packed and hit the trail at 9. But before we do, I notice a carving on a tree. Has my brother-in-law been here before? We enjoy a few views of the lake. I think, I have been looking at the lake, but no pictures to share. So a few are taken, but no "traditional" "we are here" pictures.

There is a small rise coming out of Ostrander before we head down the 1,500' slope we came up yesterday. At the top we get ourselves adjusted. I eyeball an opening in the trees about 30 yards away and meander off there and get an eyeful of the landscape to the east of Horizon Ridge. As good as the other vistas along this ridge are, I am thinking I like this one best.

Clark Range

Gary with a view

Clark Range

Clouds Rest and Mt Starr King in front

Sherri and a little knoll on Horizon Ridge

We walk a couple hundred yards across the east face of the ridge and met the trail. Now we start down the trail in earnest. Enough of this gawking. We have a date in Oakhurst for lunch. So we start down Horizon Ridge. Now mind you considering this is downhill and not too bad, we are going at, how should I say this, "all, deliberate speed." Some of it is as we pass open areas, it is getting warm.

We meet a few people as they are going up. One couple is marching right up the slope we sweated on yesterday. Guess that is what happens if you are in shape.

When we get to the bottom of the slope-our usual stopping place with the deteriorating log, we are greeted by a group huddled around a person. Upon closer inspection, the person is wearing a hat usually worn by a ranger. So this is a good place to stop and snack for a few before continuing on. Sure enough, the ranger comes over and wants our permit, which is gladly supplied. We also ask a few questions concerning our JMT expedition in a three weeks.

Now we are a little more than two miles from the car and the heat is really bearing down on us. After, this is Lost Bear Meadow-get it? In a mile, we briefly stop and then continue on. The cars come into sight and we are glad we parked in the shade. Even more happy that there is cold water in the care which slurp up.

We let Steven know where we are and head to Oakhurst for our food. Steven brings my Mom up and we all enjoy BBQ at Alice's Cookhouse and Barbecue. Then it is back home to Fresno and showers. A good short overnight trip. Enough to say, we need work or we will die on The Trail in three weeks.

Ostrander Lake

Trail Lesson:

Beat the Heat, and get an early start.

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Lunch at Alice's BBQ in Oakhurst	At home	Clif Bar, GORP, Nutella To Go