Sterling Lake/MossyPond

Seven people, six hikers in two high-clearance pick-ups went up the Lake Sterling Road to meander among the 13 lakes that make up the area north east of Forcyce Lake.  Trails are poorly marked which meant the relatively easy 7 mile hike required  numerous boulder climbs and bushwhacking through lots of brush.  Although Frank didn't hike due to a previous injury, he stuck his GPS in Ellen's pack to record the trace.  As you can see, it looks like we were drunkenly stumbling hither and thither between the stunning lakes and views.  After lunch we left the packs (and the GPS) and hiked up the granite behind the lake for further views.  It was beautiful rock hiking over smooth granite with rock inclusions - kind of like a smooth climbing wall.

This was one of the prettiest hikes we've taken this summer -- lake after lake, each distinct and beautiful in its own way.  We ranked the lakes and decided that lake 5 was the winner, but any one of them would do in a pinch!  Definitely a hike we hope to repeat next year.  Oh, and the drive there wasn't as bad as we had thought -- about equal to the road to Grouse Ridge.  But high clearance vehicles make it easier, for sure.

 

Next week we're thinking of doing Long Lake, out of Soda Springs.  It's a short hike, but provides access to Devil's Peak, which we most likely will attempt to climb.  We'll start at 8:00.

Sterling Lake
 

Jeep Stuck in Sterling Lake (not one of ours)

Above pictures of Sterling Lake from Frank.

Back of Old Man Mountain
 

Lake 5

Lake 5.5

Saying "good-bye" to Lake 12
 

Mossy Pond, lunch spot

A polar bear visits Mossy Pond

Maureen wrote that the other group had a great time at Barker Pass in the East Sierra

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