Trip Notes - Twenty Lakes Basin Loop

Photo: Pika near Helen Lake, taken by Eric Teberg.

Photo Album #104.

Weather: Clear, mid-sixties and slightly breezy. Smoky Skies.

Trail head: North dock on Saddlebag Lake.

Parking: Day Use parking lot at Saddlebag Lake Resort. Saddle Bag Lake Rd. off of Hwy 120/Tioga Road east of Tioga Pass.

Land Status: Hoover Wilderness, Inyo National Forest.

Fees: $20/car for YNP entrance or $0 with annual pass. $12 per adult human RT water taxi fee. $5 RT canine fee. $6 RT children ages 6-12.

Description: 10-minute water taxi ride form the south end of Saddlebag Lake to the north end. Easy 5-mile CCW loop with a short jaunt to the Lundy Canyon Overlook. Elevation gain and loss is continuous but no more than 450 ft.
Elevation at trail head: 10,100 ft.
Dogs are welcome.
Flora: Columbine, Mountain Sorrel, Monkeyflower, Elephant Head, Paintbrush.

Fauna: Pika.

Dinner: Pot luck at the Saddlebag Resort General Store. Pesto Pasta, Peaches, Potato Salad, Bean Dip and more. Jackie's G/F Cupcakes for Dave's birthday. No chicken.

Participants: (17) Barb Hayes, Martin Manzo, Michael Booth, Stefanie Rochow, Patrick Wall, Dawn Salisbury, Lisa Mendes, Debbie, Lauren & Johnny Schickert, Jill John & Rich Todd, Jackie & Dave Lederle, Eric & Becky Teberg.

Comments: Couldn't have asked for better weather but we had smoky skies. We welcomed Dawn and Lisa to the group. The beginning of the hike was disorganized; like herding cats, but we all eventually made it either onto the boats or around the lake. Only Jackie & Dave saw Patrick on the 4:15. The Coville's Columbine was amazing. Although they were all around us, it was lucky for Eric & Barb to see and photograph a Pika. Lundy Canyon, Conness Lakes and Shepherd's Crest will become future endeavors. On the ride home there was a little barf, a little blaming smells on the dog, and a lot of laughs.