super doody
Senior Member
It seems as though for the last couple of trips our plan A has never worked out. Ever since seeing pictures of Leavitt Lake, I have been wanting to get out there for its beauty, remoteness and to test the offroad capabilities of my truck/camper despite the fact that when you have a relatively easy to moderate trail and a beautiful remote lake, possibilities of encountering knuckle head are high.
We were all set to get going when I called the ranger station to make sure the trail was open. When I called 1.5 months ago, the ranger told me that they received some late season rain so the trail would be closed for 3 weeks so I was expecting the thumbs up this time. The trail was till closed due to staffing, issues and endanger species. They needed to complete more surveys before opening the trail.
I was still set on checking out the area so we headed out and crossed my fingers for a slime chance that the gate would be open. Plan B was to stay Leavitt Meadow campground or disperse camp somewhere.
Friday night, we didn't hit the road till 7 pm. We thought about bondocking somewhere near pinecrest but we spent the night at my inlaws in Valley Springs.
Below are some pictures from our trip. Highlight of the trip was definitely hiking to Secret lake. The hot (high 80s), dry high elevation air definitely made it interesting.
I'll provide more commentary later tonight:
Our campsite
The river below us. The family of 4 next to us limited out on trout that day. Forgot the rod but brought the reel and tackle. Doh!
Quick lunch before we hit the trail. We didn't know about the trails so by chance the trail head was right by our campsite.
Pristine single track. Didn't find a single piece of trash. Very few people on the trail.
Both my daughter and dog cool off in the lake.
After the 3 hr hike, we were glad to head back to the camper where we had cold ice t and beer waiting for us.
We were all set to get going when I called the ranger station to make sure the trail was open. When I called 1.5 months ago, the ranger told me that they received some late season rain so the trail would be closed for 3 weeks so I was expecting the thumbs up this time. The trail was till closed due to staffing, issues and endanger species. They needed to complete more surveys before opening the trail.
I was still set on checking out the area so we headed out and crossed my fingers for a slime chance that the gate would be open. Plan B was to stay Leavitt Meadow campground or disperse camp somewhere.
Friday night, we didn't hit the road till 7 pm. We thought about bondocking somewhere near pinecrest but we spent the night at my inlaws in Valley Springs.
Below are some pictures from our trip. Highlight of the trip was definitely hiking to Secret lake. The hot (high 80s), dry high elevation air definitely made it interesting.
I'll provide more commentary later tonight:
Our campsite
The river below us. The family of 4 next to us limited out on trout that day. Forgot the rod but brought the reel and tackle. Doh!
Quick lunch before we hit the trail. We didn't know about the trails so by chance the trail head was right by our campsite.
Pristine single track. Didn't find a single piece of trash. Very few people on the trail.
Both my daughter and dog cool off in the lake.
After the 3 hr hike, we were glad to head back to the camper where we had cold ice t and beer waiting for us.