Hiking in the Mountains - Parker Lake

It's always great when the people you choose to travel with like to do things the same way that you do. H and I have our modus operandi all figured out for trips like these. Get up a little early (but not TOO early) and have a good breakfast.  Start hiking before 10:00 and snack along the trail. Get back from hike in the middle of the afternoon and sit by some great body of water (lake, river) or meadow.  Take it easy the rest of the day and eat a delicious dinner.

Two of our three hikes were not new to us.  We chose them because we knew we wouldn't have much time to adjust to the altitude, so we wandered up and down the Tuolumne River where it was relatively flat.  One day we went towards Glen Aulin, stopping just when the path takes a steep descent.  The next took us up the Lyell Fork of the river towards Donohue Pass.  

On the way home, however, we tried out a new hike, this one just outside of the park.  I read about it and thought it sounded great, and it WAS.  Off of the June Lake loop road is a dirt road leading to the Parker Lake Trailhead.  The first 20 minutes of the hike are pretty steadily uphill in the full sun, and I took advantage of frequent stops to take photos.

 Here is one photo from our ascent as we look back over Mono Lake.

After a little way the scrubby growth gives way to a forest of huge pine trees and aspens and the trail is much more level, as well as shady.  It wanders by a stream, so the sound of water was soothing.

After 1.9 miles and 300 feet in elevation gain, we emerged at Parker Lake, and if you look up, you can see a beautiful waterfall.

We enjoyed this hike so much that I am sure we will do it again, and next time we'll take some friends!