Hoover Wilderness

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Jeff discovered this place, an often overlooked area filled with numerous glacial lakes all above 10,000 feet. The best part was the trailhead at 10,400 foot! With virtually no vertical elevation gain, these lakes easily rank as the most spectacular lakes you can get to without a hard hike. The north slope of Mt. Conness contains a bonafide Sierra Nevada glacier. The lakes have many species of trout. The 12,500 foot peaks tower over the lakes in a fashion which is not easily reproduced elsewhere in the Sierra Nevada, especially on the westside. Here, water drains east into Mono Lake. Glacial Erratics were everywhere, as was basalt and granite. The waters were crystal clear and bone chilling cold. Even though the area is such an easy hike, we saw only 5 other people on the trip.
I can't wait to return next summer!

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Photos

Glacial Erratic, Sunset
Glacial Erratics are a piece of rock carried by glacial ice far from its original location. When the glacier melts, the rock is gently placed on the rock below it.

Ridge Hike Panorama
from left to right, you can make out Saddlebag Lake, Steelhead lake and Cascade Lake. the peak in the distance is Mt. Dana, while North Peak dominates the scene on the right.

Sunset over 20 Lakes Basin
look for the white speckels of Glacial Erratics...

North Peak reflections
(12,200 feet, 3800 meters)

Comments

[Antsy]

WOW!
Incredible photos! I had this wilderness in mind when I was planning a Labor Day weekend trip. Now that I know how MAGNIFICENT it is, I am surely going to drag my hubby and pooch to check it out. Thanks for posting!

[Pico]

Crystal Clear
These are amazing photos Steve. I really appreciate the clarity of the water and excellent use of light and reflection. I'm inspired to visit this area myself. Is it wheelchair accessable?

[Christina Travelbug]

You're making me SOOO jealous!
oh my god, these pic's are incredible! i am getting so jealous and the travelbug is poking me again:-) guess so far it hasn't been on the list but it is now - checking out california that is. keep your blogs coming. cheers, Christina

[Stephen Paul]

oooooooo
Pico you know its not wheelchair accesible, besides your knees could take it to this place. THanks to Christina!

[bob]

have to go
already planning a trip for next sept. great photos

[Cheron Terry]

Beautiful Pictures
Thanks for posting such beautiful pictures. Will have to go check out this area someday. I love camping!.

[Spunky]

Great for naked camping looks like...

[robert olson]

the wonders this area adds to our life are immense.further north in the hoover country brings similar sights

[sue tomlinson]

Hoover Wilderness
Bravo! It is a best kept secret. We'll keep it that way eh? Your picts are brilliant - good blurb signed ~fellow back packer

[Carto]

Wildlife
Great job on the photos - what an absolutely beautiful landscape. How was the fishing? Any other wildlife up there?

[Marianne]

what trail?
Planning to explore this area this year. We HAVE to do this hike. Looking at a map, the area is just big enough and with enough trailheads marked, that we're confused. Can you provide specifics of which trail you hiked and where the trailhead is located, please? Thank you!!!

[Stephen Paul]

I would but...
I would be more than happy to tell you exactly where I went, but not through a public post. Send me a private message and Ill let you know the route we took!

[Kristal]

RockArt
hello' i discover theeeeeeeee weirdest rocks on Earth would You like to view some specimans ?