Hoover Wilderness
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Oneida Lake Hoover Wilderness |
September 30, 2013
This year, my standard mid-summer pilgrimage to the eastern Sierra was
stymied by the Aspen Fire west of Mammoth Lakes; so I am going there now
instead, and I want to find a new hike along the way. Lundy Canyon
itself is a deservedly popular hiking destination, but I've been there
and done that. Today I will head up a side canyon on a much
lesser-used trail.
The trail angles up the hillside behind the lake
There is no other car in the parking lot at the moment, which doesn't surprise me. It is cool and a bit blustery, so I don a sweatshirt and windbreaker and head out.
Getting started
class="cap">Because the trail is a former road, the gradient is mild and constant
Gradually rising above Lundy Lake
After a climb of 700 feet over two miles, the trail turns southward up the side canyon. Immediately I spot a moraine directly above me, looking as if it is just hanging there.
The first obstacle
A wide swath of forest was cut away here to accommodate the old mining road.
This section is boring, but easy to negotiate
Mill Creek proper, being fed by a glacier, never dries up. Not knowing what would be the status of this little stream, I am pleased to see that it still is flowing.
South Fork Mill Creek
The gray sky is not enhancing my photographs, but I must shoot them anyway.
Ever-upward
Above the moraine is the anticipated meadow. The first attraction is a diminutive lake.
Blue Lake isn't very blue today
A nice trailside signpost details the historical activities here.
⇔
The most important messages there are not to fish in Crystal Lake and not to drink the water in this creek.
Over the Tioga Crest is my beloved 20 Lakes Basin
Fully three miles into the hike lies the wilderness border.
My eleventh new trail into this area
Blue Lake
It looks as if there is another moraine to climb. Wait a minute; that's not a moraine, but a big pile of mine tailings.
Approaching the old mine
The area is littered with old mining equipment:
A nifty log dam was built here to provide water for the operation; its modern concrete replacement is farther upstream.
The original dam
From the map, I know that the lake's eastern shore is forested and the west side is bare talus. Opting to stick with the trees, I head toward the left. Soon the lake comes into view.
Oneida Lake
Nearby is a really nice campsite:
Spic and span
Attempting to walk along the lakeshore proves a bit problematical. A fisher's trail winds around trees, bushes, and rocks as best it can; but the going is tedious. Finally, I lose patience and scramble fifty feet straight up the hillside, running right into the nice trail that I should have been on all along.
This route is much better
Halfway around the lake
Things are going better now on this nice trail, but the sky is becoming ever darker as I proceed southward. At a point where it will be necessary to cross a big talus jumble, I decide to call it quits. On a nicer day I would not think of stopping; but today, viewing one more little lake just doesn't seem that important.
Upper Lake Canyon is uninviting at the moment
I flop down right on the skinny little path to munch some gorp, then turn around.
Starting back
The Hoover Wilderness is so colorful
This time, I remain farther from the lake shore on the better trail. I manage to overly correct the route though, ending up on the other side of the old dam.
The defunct wooden dam
From here there is an option to loop over by the lakes, but I am content to retrace my steps on the trail.
There's a fallen-down cabin by Crystal Lake
This gives a new meaning to "rail trail"
Down the tailings
Down the road
This route provides spectacular views of the red cliff forming the north side of Lundy Canyon.
Black Mountain is hiding on the left
Fall color enhances the South Fork cascade
Back at the edge of the canyon:
Lundy Lake reappears
The spring-fed stream is the trail
Beside the pond is the road to the major trailhead
From here I can see a good way up Lundy Canyon, but the real show is much closer:
This is why I go hiking
For the final slog, I put my Walkman over my ears to help pass the time.
Lundy Lake
Lundy Resort is closed for the season
My musical reverie is interrupted briefly by a woman hiker who is delighted to be walking among the golden aspens. The fisherman at the lake might not care.
Solo hiker
Solo fisher
A nostalgic look back
§: This outing was a pleasant diversion from the better-known
local trails. Sunnier skies would have made it even nicer.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty | |
| Personality |  |
| Solitude |  |
