July 25 - Saddlebag Lake and 20 Lakes Valley

Sunny day with no showers in the forecast.

Today is all about Saddlebag Lake; my absolute favorite hiking place ever. This will be my 4th trip. On 2 of the trips, I've complete the 20 Lakes Basin Loop. On the 3rd trip it was looking like rain so I did a retreat after I've travelled only a portion of the trail. (Don't walk to be in a thunderstorm at 10K feet with lots of big rocks around.)

Today is #4!! I'm not planning on doing the loop; I'm only going until the cliff drop-off. Not a big fan of the cliff and the right side of the loop is not all that exciting.

On the way up Hwy 120, I made a few "view" spots that I missed yesterday including the Ellery Campround.

I arrive at Saddlebag Road and start up the one-lane uphill road. It's a mix of dirt and a couple small sections of pavement. Thankfully I don't meet another car on my way up.

I see a hiker parking lot to the right but I go to the main parking which was surprisingly quite busy mostly due to 20-30 X-country runners getting ready for a work-out.

The Resort opened this year but closed again last week. They've had a horrible time keeping things since before the pandemic after a record snowfall destroyed a lot of the infrastructure. But they keep trying even with new owners. So no boat trip over to the trailhead today. 

I have to walk along the scree trail down Saddlebag Lake.

It'll be the 2nd time I've done this. The 1st time was so I'd have a chance to see Rockslide Checkerspots, Magdelina Alpine, Lustrous Coppers. Hoping to see them today as well.

I gear up and set off to cross the dam. Lovely views to the southwest this morning.

The walk was uneventful (ie., no bflies). The flowers were popping 

and I see a few Pika (very briefly).

It's also very windy but it feels good and cooling.

The views ahead get better and better as I get farther down the lake as North Peak comes into view.

I complete the track across the scree field and I'm greeting by tons of Paintbrush!!

There's a creek crossing that fortunately has logs to cross over.

On the other side is a sign saying Saddlebag Lake trail (which is helpful).

The mountain views are incredible. There's even a snow field as well and a waterfall.

I'm at a trail intersection and there's a guy coming back from Mt Connesss/North Peak direction. He has skis! I talk to him for a little bit. Just trying to get one last July ski run in up by Conness Lakes. He points me in the direction of the 20 lakes trail and we part ways.

I follow a small trail along the Greenstone lakeshore past a family camping. It's fantastic!

But this is not the "right" trail. I keep going and I finally meet the main trail and continue past yet another intersection where I stop. I know I'm not going to complete the loop; I've done this before. Let's do something different and take the trail the skier was on! It's something new! So I backtrack past the campers, over the creek and to the Conness Lakes trail. Here we go!

Obviously the views are awesome as the mountain and snowfield gets closer with every step.

The trail also follows a creek so the sounds are awesome and relaxing.

I'm passing tons of Paintbrush but till no butterflies.

Oh and there are other flowers as well including Elephanthead

Shooting Star and others.

The trail has wet and muddy spot but it's not bad.

At one point in the stream is a trail of rocks (which are slightly underwater). On the other side is a sign marking a protected area. Seems strange to me but I keep going. (Later I find out is that to reach Conness Lakes, I need to cross those rocks/stream as the trail is one the other side.)

But soon the trail fades as it gets wet so I'm following grass that's been stepped on and just heading in a general direction of the snow field.

I have to cross as 20 feet of rocks which I do carefully. 

I'm finally as far as I can do so safely and I find a rock on the creek and take a break. The sounds of the creek are very  relaxing. I can't believe that guy came this far to ski that snow field --- may be there's another farther along. (And of course there is because I'm not on the official trail.)

The waterfall is no longer viewable but I'm sure I'm hearing it mixed in with the stream sounds.

While resting there, I see my 1st butterfly of the day; it's a Sierra Sulphur flying over the creek (and fighting the wind). There's hope!

Probably the longest hiking break I've ever taken but time to head back. Its around 10am so maybe there will be more butterflies flying.

I see my 2nd butterfly - a skipper but I don't get a good look. :(

As I approach the trail intersection I see a few more Sierra Sulphurs and another skipper; all flying. Finally, I get a shot at a Sulphur and success!

It's back on the scree trail. Pretty close to the start I see something that might have been a Lustrous or other but again it's flying.

I scan for flyers along the scree trail on my return but again nothing. Not sure if I'm too early - CA had a "normal" but late snowfall. It's a bit disappointing. :(

Running into many more hikers/backpackers on my return.

Getting close to my return.

Back at my car, I sit along the parking lot facing the lake and have lunch. The clouds are building; there might be some rain this afternoon.

Lady parked next to my car is hoping to do an end-n-back but not sure they'll miss the rain. Good luck!

Great day here but I still have 1/2 the day left to explore something.