Talusdancers

Fall colors on the shore of Lower Cathedral Lake. October 10, 2004.
—–

Owen and Jane near Lower Cathedral Lake. October 10, 2004.
—–

Trip participants were Owen, Dan, Jane, and Mark.

Some of us arrived late on Thursday night (October 7) at the Tioga Pass area. We all met up at the Tuolumne Meadows Fletcher Lake Trailhead between 9:00 and 10:00 am on Friday. Due to concerns by one participant about the potential for cold at Fletcher Lake (snow was in the forecast) we changed plans and decided to do the shorter trip to Lower Cathedral Lake instead.

After a fair amount of last-minute packing and gear storage, we finally got on the trail a bit before noon, and had a relatively uneventful hike up the 3.5 miles trail to Lower Cathedral Lake where we found nice campsites (and no summer crowds!) near the outlet stream. Although the weather forecast did include a possibility of a front coming though in the evening, the night was calm and clear.

Lower Cathedral Lake. October 10, 2004.

After getting up to sunny skies and only somewhat cold (for the season) weather, we decided on a general plan of action that included Upper Cathedral Lake, the ridge to the right of Cathedral Peak, and Budd Lake. We crossed the outlet stream and followed the lake shore in a counter-clockwise direction until we reached the dry meadow section on the far side. Here we lateralled up the dome-like rock face, generally heading to the left, until we crossed the ridge and dropped to Upper Cathedral Lake.

From here we could see our next objective, the left end of the long saddle to the right of Cathedral Peak. We headed generally up and slightly to the left, at times following the faint path of previous hikers, until we topped out on the open ridge from which we could see Budd Lake below and to our right. Crossing many intermediate gullies, we traversed over to Budd Lake for lunch.

Cathedral Peak. October 9, 2004.

After lunch we headed back up toward the same ridge, but this time aimed for the end closer to Echo Peaks – more to the left from the perspective of Budd Lake. At the top we paused to admire the spectacular view taking in Cathedral Peak, Echo Peaks, Mt. Hoffman, Mt. Conness, and others too numerous to name. As we took a few photos we began to notice a few snowflakes falling from the darkening clouds, and before long we had a pretty good snowfall (of graupel) going.

Dan, Owen, Mark, and Jane on the ridge near Cathedral Peak. October 9, 2004.

We headed down from the ridge, taking a route to Upper Cathedral Lake that went a bit to the left – and the snow continued. We rejoined the Muir Trail near Upper Cathedral and followed it to the junction to Lower Cathedral. Snow continued as we reached Lower Cathedral Lake and our campsite, but it stopped just about the time we managed to get shelter set up. Soon the sun came out and almost all the clouds blew away.

That night there was no more precipitation, although the wind kicked up a bit later on. On Sunday morning we awoke again to sunshine and relatively nice temperatures, although the wind made it seem a bit colder.

Fall colors along the shore of Lower Cathedral Lake. October 10, 2004.

We headed out to Tuolumne the way we had come in, arriving back at our cars at 1:00, and then driving up to the pass for lunch at TPR.

Owen and Jane in the meadow near Lower Cathedral Lake. October 10, 2004.

Posted by Dan. October 17, 2004.
—–

***We’re back

Dan, Owen, Mark, and Jane on ridge near Cathedral Peak. October 9, 2004.

The Fletcher Lake 2004 trip morphed into the Cathedral Lakes 2004 trip… which is somewhat ironic since next week’s Cathedral Lakes trip has also morphed into something else. Confused? So are we.
—–

Dan, Owen, Mark, and Jane on ridge near Cathedral Peak. October 10, 2004.
—–

Topo of Fletcher Lake, Ireland Lake, Parsons Peak area
—–

Owen has posted a Twenty Lakes Basin 2004 Trip Report.

***October 15-17

Cathedral Lakes Weekend (Cathedral Lakes 2004) is now Twenty Lakes Basin Weekend. As it turns out overnight parking at Tuolumne Meadows trailheads ends on October 14. Therefore Cathedral Lakes will not be accessible for overnight use the weekend we want to be there, October 15-17. No problem – from Tioga Lake, the planned trailhead BBQ/carcamp site just outside of Tuolumne Meadows, it is just a few miles north to Saddlebag Lake and the trailhead for Twenty Lakes Basin, thus it is actually closer than the Cathedral Lake trailhead.

***New Itinerary – Talus Dancers – Twenty Lakes Basin Weekend – October 15-17, 2004

***Friday afternoon
– drive to Tioga Lakes camprground, trailhead BBQ, carcamp

***Satuday
– short drive to Saddlebag Lake, park, hike via Lundy Pass to Cascade Lake, camp

***Sunday
– explore a little, hike out, drive home

***Important stuff

Suggest bringing your trailhead BBQ supplies from home, since once in the mountains at this time of year, there is not much available.

Total mileage is just over 8 miles. Vertical is not demanding.

No solar/composting toilets (bring TP for traditional unloading method)

No bear lockers, but bear canisters are _not_ required, but recommended – we’ll likely need 1 for every 3 persons, so we’re covered. I may bring my Ursack.

Entire trip is above 10000 feet – be ready for the sublime, late-season (the fall colors!) sub-alpine.

***Weather
- If there is a giant snowstorm, put away your gear ’til next spring. We’ll have to make sure the gate for Saddlebag Lake is still open (barring a big snowstorm it should be), and that Tioga Lake or other nearby campground (i.e. Junction or Saddlebag) is still open as advertised.

***Previews:

http://www.trailpeak.com/index.jsp?cat=hike&con=trail&val=1201
http://brandon_liew.tripod.com/California/20_Lakes_Basin/20_Lakes_Basin.html
—–

Cathedral Lakes 2004 has now morphed into Twenty Lakes Basin 2004. Owen writes:

Cathedral Lakes Weekend is now Twenty Lakes Basin Weekend. As it turns out, overnight parking at Tuolumne Meadows trailheads ends on October 14. Therefore Cathedral Lakes will not be accessible for overnight use the weekend we want to be there, October 15-17. No problem – from Tioga Lake, the planned trailhead BBQ/carcamp site just outside of Tuolumne Meadows, it is just a few miles north to Saddlebag Lake and the trailhead for Twenty Lakes Basin, thus it is actually closer than the Cathedral Lake trailhead.

—–

***New fall trip info
posted:

• Fletcher Lake 2004 details have been updated. This trip now spans 4 days if you take advantage of the possibility of a late Thursday arrival. It is also possible to arrive on Friday and join us on the trail. Crazed Talusdancers have been know to arrive on Friday evening and hike up after dark. An early Saturday arrival would let you join us for one evening.
• Cathedral Lakes 2004 has been added for the following weekend. This is a short low-stress trip on the last weekend of the somewhat-regular season at Tuolumne Meadows.

Mid-October can be one of the most beautiful times of the year in the Sierra. While early snow is possible, and colder temperatures are likely, clear and warm days are also common and the crowds have left.
—–

Cathedral Lakes Overnight – October (15)16-17

Oops! This trip has now morphed into Twenty Lakes Basin 2004 as described by Owen:

Cathedral Lakes Weekend ( aka Cathedral Lakes 2004) is now Twenty Lakes Basin Weekend (Twenty Lakes Basin 2004). As it turns out, overnight parking at Tuolumne Meadows trailheads ends on October 14. Therefore Cathedral Lakes will not be accessible for overnight use the weekend we want to be there, October 15-17. No problem – from Tioga Lake, the planned trailhead BBQ/carcamp site just outside of Tuolumne Meadows, it is just a few miles north to Saddlebag Lake and the trailhead for Twenty Lakes Basin, thus it is actually closer than the Cathedral Lake trailhead.

—–