Agnew Lake, Parker Lake, and Little Lakes Basin

June 9, 10, 11

Reservations were made weeks ago for our trip to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Durango (and maybe some Moab too), but consecutive drought years brought on early season fires and national forest closures in the area. It might have been fine, or it might have been ugly smokey, and for sure the Sandia Mountains were closed to hiking. So, we changed our plans.

We love the eastern Sierras, and since this was a low snow year, June is not early to visit. We headed over to Mammoth, hoping to find some new trails to hike, as well as some old favorites. We stayed in our normal choice for a motel that happens to not have air conditioning. Given that it was warm, even during the night, we found it uncomfortable. Maybe we’ll have to rethink our accommodations.

Our first day’s hike was up Rush Creek. The trailhead is at Silver Lake on the June Lake Loop. Rush Creek always looks so pretty as it splashes down several hundred feet of steep granite. Our intended destination was Agnew Lake and then Gem Lake above that. The trail climbs steadily for 1300′ with no shade for at least the first half. By the time we got to Agnew Lake we were cooked. I blame it on not being acclimated to the elevation and the very warm temperatures (but maybe we’re losing our abilities). On top of that, the lake was unattractive with very low water.

The next day we headed to Parker Lake on the advice of our son-in-law. This was a much nicer hike—not as much elevation change and a pretty canyon and lake. On the way up in the morning we could see the thunderheads building and just after we reached the lake we heard the first peal of thunder. Thundershowers were in the weather forecast so we donned our rain jackets and had a pleasant hike back down the trail in a gentle rain (thankfully no thunderhead decided to dump on us).

Having, hopefully, recovered somewhat, we headed up Rock Creek to the Mosquito Flat trailhead on the next day. This hike into Little Lakes Basin is one of our old favorites with a gentle climb and beautiful surroundings.

Links
—Parker Lake and Little Lakes Basin 2013 photo gallery