Hoover Lakes & Peaks

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Wonderful spot, centrally located with easy access to numerous lakes and day hike destinations. Named after one of the daughters of William Woods Forsyth (US Army Acting Superintendent of Yosemite National Park, 1909-1912) by a close friend, topographer Robert Marshall. Forsyth Peak keeps a lookout over these sister lakes. Fishing: Rainbows & Brooks

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Named by Everette Spuller in 1932 'because of the cascade coming down from the glacierette from North Peak' (strawberry propertyowners.org). Given the different elevations there is some (bit of a stretch) cascading between the lakes, so works for me. Great spot to explore the 20 Lakes Basin but be forewarned, as this is a relatively easy hike in (especially if the ferry is running) in can be crowed. Try Wasco lake to get away from the crowds we saw.

According to Curtis Milliron, a Department of Fish and Game (DFG) fisheries biologist specializing in backcountry trout, brook trout are the dominant species throughout this lofty drainage with rainbow, Lahontan cutthroat and golden present in selected lakes. In addition to planted rainbows and native brookies, nearby Saddlebag Lake holds a small population of brown trout — further enhancing the possibility of a Sierra Slam! (gameamdfishmag.com)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Short hike from Harriet Lake but miles away. Named after one of the daughters of William Woods Forsyth (US Army Acting Superintendent of Yosemite National Park, 1909-1912) by a close friend, topographer Robert Marshall. Forsyth Peak keeps a lookout over these sister lakes. Fishing: Rainbows & Brooks

Interesting Facts & Highlights

A good central spot for climbing with access to Crown Point, Cirque Mountain and Kettle Peak. Fishing: Unknown

Interesting Facts & Highlights

No information on this small lake inbetween Helen and Steelhead. Best guess it was name at the same time Excelsior Mountain was during the 1905-09 survey for the Bridgeport 30' map. Good spot to get away from crowds @ Cascade/Steelhead & Hummingbird Lakes. Fishing: Eastern Brookies and Goldens co-mingle.

According to Curtis Milliron, a Department of Fish and Game (DFG) fisheries biologist specializing in backcountry trout, brook trout are the dominant species throughout this lofty drainage with rainbow, Lahontan cutthroat and golden present in selected lakes. In addition to planted rainbows and native brookies, nearby Saddlebag Lake holds a small population of brown trout — further enhancing the possibility of a Sierra Slam! (gameamdfishmag.com)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

In 1852 a party of emigrants dragged their wagons up the steep hillside at the northern end of Fremont Lake only to find that they couldn't maneuver them along either shoreline. With no other choice, they dug a drainage trench at the end of the lake and lowered the water level enough that they could ford their wagons through the shallows along the western side of the lake. Several thousand more emigrants followed in 1853 and 1854. Leavitt Meadows maintains a summer camp here and this is a good warm up trip with easy access to other lakes in the area. Fishing: Rainbows 14" and up.

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Named after Al Gardisky who built two cabins east of Tioga Pass, one of the on the site of the current day Tioga Pass Resort that was enlarged into a lodge. The lake was named by Mrs. Everett Spuller in 1932. Lake has a population of Eastern Brookies up to 14 inches.

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Taking the name from the 20 Lakes Basin map as provided by strawberrypropertyowners.org. Reached by going up trail at the zLakes junction from the loop trail. Another spot to get away from the crowds.

According to Curtis Milliron, a Department of Fish and Game (DFG) fisheries biologist specializing in backcountry trout, brook trout are the dominant species throughout this lofty drainage with rainbow, Lahontan cutthroat and golden present in selected lakes. In addition to planted rainbows and native brookies, nearby Saddlebag Lake holds a small population of brown trout — further enhancing the possibility of a Sierra Slam! (gameamdfishmag.com)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Named for its green colored rocks. Catchy. Fishing: A jackpot lake containing Eastern Brookies, Lahontan Cutthroat and Rainbow trout.

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Right on the PCT with large campsites. Hike on for solitude. Named after one of the daughters of William Woods Forsyth (US Army Acting Superintendent of Yosemite National Park, 1909-1912) by a close friend, topographer Robert Marshall. Forsyth Peak keeps a lookout over these sister lakes. Fishing: Rainbows & Brooks

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Named after one of the daughters of William Woods Forsyth (US Army Acting Superintendent of Yosemite National Park, 1909-1912) by a close friend, topographer Robert Marshall. Forsyth Peak keeps a lookout over these sister lakes. First appeared on the third edition Dardanelles map in 1912. Fishing: Unknown

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Aptly named in 1932 by Al Gardisky (who has his own lake close by) when he observed many hummingbirds in the area. Fishing: Eastern Brookies

According to Curtis Milliron, a Department of Fish and Game (DFG) fisheries biologist specializing in backcountry trout, brook trout are the dominant species throughout this lofty drainage with rainbow, Lahontan cutthroat and golden present in selected lakes. In addition to planted rainbows and native brookies, nearby Saddlebag Lake holds a small population of brown trout — further enhancing the possibility of a Sierra Slam! (gameamdfishmag.com)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Access via Kirkwood Pass and then up thru a series of joint-controlled notches to a sandy pass and a drop down to the lake. Better sites available all around Thompson Canyon. Good example of a glacial cirque that was formed in areas where snowfall was faster than the melting process creating these bowl like features. Fishing: Winter freeze

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Another Al Gardisky naming, this time after a 'lady friend' in 1932. Fishing: Eastern Brookies and Goldens

According to Curtis Milliron, a Department of Fish and Game (DFG) fisheries biologist specializing in backcountry trout, brook trout are the dominant species throughout this lofty drainage with rainbow, Lahontan cutthroat and golden present in selected lakes. In addition to planted rainbows and native brookies, nearby Saddlebag Lake holds a small population of brown trout — further enhancing the possibility of a Sierra Slam! (gameamdfishmag.com)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Al Gardisky named after a friend in 1932. Fishing: Goldens

According to Curtis Milliron, a Department of Fish and Game (DFG) fisheries biologist specializing in backcountry trout, brook trout are the dominant species throughout this lofty drainage with rainbow, Lahontan cutthroat and golden present in selected lakes. In addition to planted rainbows and native brookies, nearby Saddlebag Lake holds a small population of brown trout — further enhancing the possibility of a Sierra Slam! (gameamdfishmag.com)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Another central point for climbing with access to Crown Point, Cirque Mountain and Kerrick Meadows. Fishing: Rainbows & Brooks

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Part of the Sister Lakes, above Dorothy Lake in the upper reaches of Yosemite National Park. Scramble up the ridge on the left for wide views of Dorothy Lake and Forsyth Ridge. Fishing: Unknown

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Original named 'Lee Vinings Lake' as it is at the head of the Lee Vining Creek, it was changed to Saddleback Lake in the first 2 editions of the Mt Lyell 30' map. Saddlebag Lake landed in the 1910 map edition and has stayed the same.

Located at over 10,080’ above sea level, Saddlebag Lake feels like you’re on top of the world. The rather barren landscape may not seem like it has much to offer, but the lake is a hub surrounded by some of the best fishing and hiking in the Eastern Sierra.

Essentially just around the corner from the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite National Park, Saddlebag Lake was created in 1919 and is the highest drive-to lake in the region. While the lake itself offers solid fishing and hiking, limited in part because the high elevation makes the season there shorter than elsewhere, the waters that lead to and from the lake are world class. (monocounty.org)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Records indicated this was named twice. First by the USGS during the 1905-09 survey for the Bridgeport 30' map and then by none other than Al Gardisky in 1932 due to its shape. Easy to understand as the lake has three lobes. Fishing: Goldens only

According to Curtis Milliron, a Department of Fish and Game (DFG) fisheries biologist specializing in backcountry trout, brook trout are the dominant species throughout this lofty drainage with rainbow, Lahontan cutthroat and golden present in selected lakes. In addition to planted rainbows and native brookies, nearby Saddlebag Lake holds a small population of brown trout — further enhancing the possibility of a Sierra Slam! (gameamdfishmag.com)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Named appropriately in 1932 after Al Gardisky plated steelhead trout from 1929 thru 1930. Fishing: A jackpot lake containing Eastern Brookies, Lahontan Cutthroat and Rainbow trout.

According to Curtis Milliron, a Department of Fish and Game (DFG) fisheries biologist specializing in backcountry trout, brook trout are the dominant species throughout this lofty drainage with rainbow, Lahontan cutthroat and golden present in selected lakes. In addition to planted rainbows and native brookies, nearby Saddlebag Lake holds a small population of brown trout — further enhancing the possibility of a Sierra Slam! (gameamdfishmag.com)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Part of the Sister Lakes above Dorothy in the upper reaches of Yosemite National Park. Camp on the back end of the lake (close end in the picture) to avoid the Pacific Trail traffic. Fishing: Rainbows & Brooks

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Gateway to Watchtower and Tower peaks, Mary's Lake and Yosemite Wilderness. One decent camp at the outlet but the better spot is the tarn above with a straight view of Hawksbeak Peak which can catch a nice alpen glow. The original Castle Peak as named by G.H. Goddard, however two other peaks were named as same and thru a paperwork mistake the name was attached to the wrong Castle Peak. Tower was chosen!
Fishing: Goldens

Interesting Facts & Highlights

This part of the Sierra Nevada has many named Twin Lakes and one, much larger and outside the Hoover Wilderness boundary, just North of this spot was our jump off for the 2004 trip. We also camped @ Upper Town Lake in the Emigrant two years earlier in 2002.

According to Curtis Milliron, a Department of Fish and Game (DFG) fisheries biologist specializing in backcountry trout, brook trout are the dominant species throughout this lofty drainage with rainbow, Lahontan cutthroat and golden present in selected lakes. In addition to planted rainbows and native brookies, nearby Saddlebag Lake holds a small population of brown trout — further enhancing the possibility of a Sierra Slam! (gameamdfishmag.com)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Another Al gardisky naming that was the town of a close friend. Once again in 1932! Fishing: Eastern Brookies only

According to Curtis Milliron, a Department of Fish and Game (DFG) fisheries biologist specializing in backcountry trout, brook trout are the dominant species throughout this lofty drainage with rainbow, Lahontan cutthroat and golden present in selected lakes. In addition to planted rainbows and native brookies, nearby Saddlebag Lake holds a small population of brown trout — further enhancing the possibility of a Sierra Slam! (gameamdfishmag.com)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Well, here is a lake I can relate to. Named by Al Gardisky in 1932 because of its shape. It is rather zig-zaggy, but more of a reverse Z. Fishing: Eastern Brookies

According to Curtis Milliron, a Department of Fish and Game (DFG) fisheries biologist specializing in backcountry trout, brook trout are the dominant species throughout this lofty drainage with rainbow, Lahontan cutthroat and golden present in selected lakes. In addition to planted rainbows and native brookies, nearby Saddlebag Lake holds a small population of brown trout — further enhancing the possibility of a Sierra Slam! (gameamdfishmag.com)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

No mention of name origin. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1905 by George R. Davis, Albert Hale Sylvester, and Pearson Chapman, all with the United States Geological Survey (wikipedia).

Interesting Facts & Highlights

View is from Tower Lake. This ridge catches light all day long. Easiest access is from Thompson Canyon. We ran up the back end on an easy hike, with the only difficult part navigating heavy shrub. The view down from the peak is impressive and a bit dizzying.

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Many features in this area are named

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Matterhorn Peak is the highest peak in the Sawtooth Ridge group, a series of sharp granite peaks and spires on Sierra Nevada crest, located on the northern boundary of Yosemite National Park. Sawtooth Ridge is the northernmost group of Sierra peaks to exceed 12,000 feet elevation; its sharp relief contrasts dramatically with the generally rounded Sierra crestline to the north, thus Sawtooth Ridge is commonly considered the beginning of "High Sierra".

Interesting Facts & Highlights

Most likely named after C.J.Olsen, Forest Supervisor of Toiyabe National forest.

Summit post: Mount Olsen rises just southeast of the Virginia Lakes Trailhead; one of the Eastern High Sierra's most accessible jumping off points. The trailhead leading into the back country is 9,800'. The area is dotted with numerous lakes and surrounded by a horseshoe cirque of 11-12,000' peaks

Interesting Facts & Highlights

View is from the ridge above Lake Helen and encompasses Hawksbeak Peak and Watchtower, with Tower Lake below. A first glimpse into country we had not spied before and that we plan to visit. Rainbow Canyon is the name used by the local packers.

Interesting Facts & Highlights

The entire Sawtooth Ridge area is a paradise for technical rock climbing and ski mountaineering, having a short approach from the year-round Twin Lakes resort. Matterhorn Peak also has the distinction of being the mountain Jack Kerouac attempted to climb in a spiritual quest. His unsuccessful ascent of Matterhorn Peak was dramatized in his novel "Dharma Bums". (Summit Post)

Interesting Facts & Highlights

This image is part of the Tioga Crest and visible from our camp @ Steelhead Lake. A lot of Twin Lakes in the Sierra Nevada range, with the larger due North from which we started our 2004 trips. We have also stayed at Upper Twin Lake in the Emigrant Wilderness in 2002.

Interesting Facts & Highlights

As it guards the Hoover-Yosemite border with it's higher sister, Tower Peak, this climb is likely missed by those who push for the higher peak. Neither of us have yet attempted, so it awaits for another trip.

Watchtower can be climbed via an easy Class 2 scramble from Tower Pass, the saddle between Tower Peak and the Saurian Crest. However, there are also numerous technical routes up the west face for those ambitious enough to haul climbing gear 16 miles to reach the peak. (Summit Post)