Inyo National Forest

Started by Big J, August 03, 2020, 10:49:44 AM

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Big J


I started the CPA exam a few years ago.  Was kind of struggling with it so my wife suggested I set up a reward for myself if I pass it for motivation. A trip to for Golden Trout was picked as the reward and after much agony and gnashing of teeth, I passed the exam last year.  Now I had to find a peckerhead willing to go out west and hike around for a week in a dusty environment.  Doug was my first choice and he surprisingly agreed quickly.  We planned and tweaked the route for a year after lots of topo map readings, online research, and emails with people from out there.  Plan for first day was to fly into LAX, rent a car, pick up fuel canisters, grab dinner, drive to trailhead, and hike a mile into Inyo National Forest and set up camp in the dark.  Woke up at 5 am est and set up camp 9 pm California time.  It was a long jet lag day but here are the pictures from day 1.

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Lynchburg flights don't get royal treatment at Charlotte.

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Baggage shoot got clogged up and took 45 min. to get bags.  Wonder whose luggage clogged it up?

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Welcome to LA

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Headed out in a hurry.

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But first In n Out

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Fire damage.

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And up we go

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And up some more.  Drove from sea level in LA to almost 10,000 ft at trailhead. Hiked a mile, set up camp, and got a restless night sleep.  To be continued.



Dougfish


What was in my red duffle. Small foam pad, rod tube and trekking poles are missing.
46 lbs. of goodness, all in.

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"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here?
 Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change? "
Kelly's Heroes,1970

"I don't wanna go to hell,
But if I do,
It'll be 'cause of you..."
Strange Desire, The Black Keys, 2006

Onslow

That is a stout pack. There is much I'd, and probably many others, would like to learn from this trip.  Please discuss pack contents, and every detail if you have time.

Big J


Started day 2 by hiking 4.3 miles up to Cottonwood Lake 3.  Was planning on going up and over New Army Pass today to Solder Lake but we were feeling the altitude/jet lag and decided to stage at Cottonwood today and go up and over in the tomorrow morning. Cottonwood area was not busy like it normal was from readings on the interwebs.  Had maybe 3 groups camping that we passed which is lite for that area.  Caught some fish in Lake 3 for the first goldens/golden hybrids of the trip.  I was in awe of the colors of these fish. We got to hear some elk bugling in the background and witness an insane mosquito hatch that had trout 6-10 trout rising every 5 seconds on a pond for 3 hours. 

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First of many marmots chirping at us.

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I did not starve

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First fish.

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Lake 3

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Got 2 bags of cheetos in my bear vault

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Not a bad way to cap the first full day.


Dougfish

#4
Kelty Trekker 65
Pack cover (never used)
Black Diamond Trekking poles

Clothes:
2 long polyester pants
2 long polyester shirts
2 polyester underwear
2 smartwool pairs of socks
All of the above, wear one of each 2 days, switch to others, wash the dirty.
Sleeping clothes: one lightweight pants, one long cotton shirt, lightweight socks, beanie.
Smartwool medium weight long top (never needed it)
Patagonia Nano Puff jacket
Ball cap
Buff
2 Bandanas
Rain jacket (never rained)
Teva sandals
Low hikers (Oboz)

Bear Can with 7 1/2 days food - 9 1/4 lb.
Backpacking stove w/1 med, 1 small fuel canister
Titanium 800ml Pot and mug
Titanium Frying pan and spatula (never used)
Spork

Small paperback
Lightweight umbrella (never rained, good for shade though)

3 man Big Agnus Seedhouse tent
Nemo air mattress
3/4 length closed cell foam pad 1/4" thick
Down 10 degree hammock quilt
Sleeping bag liner (slipped over air mattress)
Head lamp and small flashlight
Spare batteries
First aid kit
Toiletries
Sunscreen, chap stick and hand lotion
Hand sanitizer and castile soap
Spray bottle (no TP was used)
Fabric bucket
Wash cloth and tiny towel
Clothesline
1.5L water bladder and 1 liter bottle
2L bag and 500ml bag and Sawyer mini filter

Fishing chest pack
One fly box, tippet spools, floatant, forceps and nippers
6' Sink tip extension
Folding net
Lightweight double rod tube
5 piece 7'6" 4 weight
6 piece 9' 5 weight
2 reels

Phone (camera and messaging thru Garmin)
Solar/battery pack and cable
Garmin Inreach Mini
"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here?
 Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change? "
Kelly's Heroes,1970

"I don't wanna go to hell,
But if I do,
It'll be 'cause of you..."
Strange Desire, The Black Keys, 2006

Dougfish


J neglected to mention that in our haste and darkness, we set up only about 30-40' off the trail that first night. We were awakened at 3:30 by a string of hikers with headlamps shining on our tent as the headed up to summit Mt. Langley. That's like a 15-16 mile day trip and a 4K+ total elevation gain. :o
We struggled to breathe that thin air and were popping ibuprofen to fight off the altitude headaches. Semi-Pro tip: start taking it when you leave the airport, drink gobs of water.

Cottonwood Creek breakfast stop.

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Sunrise from camp.

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"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here?
 Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change? "
Kelly's Heroes,1970

"I don't wanna go to hell,
But if I do,
It'll be 'cause of you..."
Strange Desire, The Black Keys, 2006

Woolly Bugger

Very nice going so far, I was going to mention that y'all needed to be hydrating on the flight — but that has its own problems these days!

What did Jacob eat besides snickers and Cheetos?
ex - I'm not going to live with you through one more fishing season!
me -There's a season?

Pastor explains icons to my son: you know like the fish symbol on the back of cars.
My son: My dad has two fish on his car and they're both trout!

Mudwall Gatewood 3.0

#7
Great report!  Really enjoy the photos of the fishes and the water.  Glad you both returned safely east with unforgettable memories.

Please tell us about the blisters.  A CA search-and-rescue friend called with the story of rescuing a Virginia angler/camper/hiker from your area of adventure who was rendered immobile from blisters.  She (the S&R gal) did not have a name of the tenderfoot, but I was concerned for you two.
 
Again, great job and thanks for sharing.

More please.
"Enjoy every sandwich."  Warren Zevon

Onslow

Was the lake fishing part of a strategy to keep the feet out of the water, and spare the feet?  As much as I would like to backpack, and fish locally, the foot problem always looms large.

The highlands of California are underrated imo.  Looks like you all planned a good spot to hike, fish, and to stay the hell away from the Grizzlies of Montana and Wyoming. The mountain lions tho....

This is just plain awesome.

Dougfish

Quote from: Onslow on August 03, 2020, 17:02:08 PMWas the lake fishing part of a strategy to keep the feet out of the water, and spare the feet?  As much as I would like to backpack, and fish locally, the foot problem always looms large.

The highlands of California are underrated imo.  Looks like you all planned a good spot to hike, fish, and to stay the hell away from the Grizzlies of Montana and Wyoming. The mountain lions tho....

This is just plain awesome.

Stay tuned. A little stream fishing is coming. Tevas waded.
Jake can tell you about wading boots. LOL.
"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here?
 Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change? "
Kelly's Heroes,1970

"I don't wanna go to hell,
But if I do,
It'll be 'cause of you..."
Strange Desire, The Black Keys, 2006

Phil

I'm just reading, looking at the pics, drooling, and interested in everything about the trip you guys post here. Awesome stuff so far.  :bow

ryguy

Great report.  Looking forward to reading more.

How were the flights over to LAX?  I'm curious to see how many folks are flying this time of year.  There are still a bunch of airplanes sitting at Richmond, on pause from COVID I believe.

Big J

Quote from: ryguy on August 03, 2020, 18:34:38 PMGreat report.  Looking forward to reading more.

How were the flights over to LAX?  I'm curious to see how many folks are flying this time of year.  There are still a bunch of airplanes sitting at Richmond, on pause from COVID I believe.

Flights to and from LAX was 6 seats across. Flight out was almost full, flight back was completely full. About got in confrontations with 2 people on flight out haha.

Big J


Day 3.  The most brutal day for me.  Hiked 7.4 miles.  Up over New Army Pass that sits at 12,310 ft and all the elevation gain is in a set of tightly wound contour lines. It was really fun with a pack somewhere in the low 50 lb range.  It was slow going up New Army Pass, but what really got me was the sun on the backside going down to Soldier Lake.  There was at least 5 miles of the hike where you had no shelter from the sun.  The last mile I was feeling rough but luckily by then we had worked our way back into the tree line and I just keep trudging along.  Soldier Lake was a pretty lake that was unlike a lot of the other lakes we fished.  It had grass around the banks and a good bit of trees on one side where we camped.  There was a good hatch at night which provided for lots of goldens caught on a dry. 

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Doug's morning ritual of spilling coffee grounds.

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Morning at camp.

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Marmots galore

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Top of the mountain is New Army Pass....

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Some flowers broke up the desert vibe.

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Almost to the top.

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Done. 12,310 ft.

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Backside of New Army Pass. Langley to the right.

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Where we were going.

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Dan Tope Lucky 7 went with me.

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Soldier Lake

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Dry sipping Golden.


RiverbumCO

My real name is Chad Farthouse.