During August 29-September 7, 1964 myself, Ed Myers, Bob Brooks, Noel Parr, Bob Johnson and Mike Woods did a 43 mile Deck Trek from Twin Lakes near Bridgeport, California. We delayed our start a day due to stormy weather.
The following is the "planned" trip, however, due to our starting on the trail a day late, we scrapped the McCabe Lake/Mount Conness side trip and instead climbed Camiaca Peak on the way out. We also modified the route above Barney Lake and took the new Crown Lake Trail to Rock Island Pass and then joined the planned route in Kerrick Canyon.
Twin Lakes to Virginia Lakes Deck Trek map (Original Trip Plan)
Twin Lakes to Virginia Lakes itinerary (Original Trip Plan)
The sky was BLACK as we started up the trail on Monday while it snowed. It was cold and wet so we stopped and made camp at 9,000' on the new Barney Lake-Crown Lake Trail at a spot where we could build a large warming fire next to a big heat reflecting rock.
Looking back at Barney Lake in the snow from the trail - Hoover Wilderness - 31 Aug 1964
Crown Lake Trail camp in snow - Hoover Wilderness - 31 Aug 1964
Crown Lake Trail camp in snow - Hoover Wilderness - 31 Aug 1964
Crown Lake Trail camp in snow - Hoover Wilderness - 01 Sep 1964
Tuesday we headed over Rock Island Pass (10,200') in 6 inches of fresh snow. Camped at Seavey Pass Trail Junction. Long Day.
Crown Lake Trail in snow - Hoover Wilderness - 01 Sep 1964
Robinson Lake on Crown Lake Trail in snow - Hoover Wilderness - 01 Sep 1964
Above Crown Lake in snow - Hoover Wilderness - 01 Sep 1964
Snow Lake in the snow, Rock Island Pass - Hoover Wilderness - 01 Sep 1964
Kerrick Canyon in the snow - Yosemite National Park - 01 Sep 1964
Wednesday and rest of week clear and sunny. Hiked to Smedberg Lake with lunch at Benson Lake (pretty).
Fixing breakfast at Seavey Pass Trail Junction camp
Yosemite National Park - 02 Sep 1964
Along the Seavey Pass Trail - Yosemite National Park - 02 Sep 1964
Seavey Pass - Yosemite National Park - 02 Sep 1964
Benson Lake - Yosemite National Park - 02 Sep 1964
Seavey Pass trail - Yosemite National Park - 02 Sep 1964
Benson Lake - Yosemite National Park - 02 Sep 1964
Benson Lake - Yosemite National Park - 02 Sep 1964
Benson Lake - Yosemite National Park - 02 Sep 1964
Relaxing at Benson Lake - Yosemite National Park - 02 Sep 1964
Bob Brooks leads hiking through the 'jungle' on the trail to Smedberg Lake
Yosemite National Park - 02 Sep 1964
Smedberg Lake - Yosemite National Park - 02 Sep 1964
Smedberg Lake - Yosemite National Park - 02 Sep 1964
Thursday to Matterhorn Canyon.
The trail from Smedberg Lake to Benson Pass - Yosemite National Park - 03 Sep 1964
Volunteer Peak from Benson Pass - Yosemite National Park - 03 Sep 1964
View toward Matterhorn Canyon from Benson Pass
Yosemite National Park - 03 Sep 1964
Matterhorn Canyon - Yosemite National Park - 03 Sep 1964
Water fight at Matterhorn Canyon camp - Yosemite National Park - 03 Sep 1964
Matterhorn Canyon camp - Yosemite National Park - 03 Sep 1964
Friday to Virginia Canyon.
Sawtooth Range from the trail to Virginia Canyon - Yosemite National Park - 04 Sep 1964
Miller Lake on the trail to Virginia Canyon - Yosemite National Park - 04 Sep 1964
Enjoying the creek at camp in Virginia Canyon - Yosemite National Park - 04 Sep 1964
Enjoying the creek at camp in Virginia Canyon - Yosemite National Park - 04 Sep 1964
Enjoying the creek at camp in Virginia Canyon - Yosemite National Park - 04 Sep 1964
Virginia Canyon - Yosemite National Park - 05 Sep 1964
Virginia Canyon, Gray Butte - Yosemite National Park - 05 Sep 1964
Saturday, September 5, 1984 to Summit Lake Pass. Saw Coyote on trail. Climbed 11,745' Camiaca Peak from Summit Lake with Bob Johnson and Noel Parr for beautiful views. Could see Mt. Conness and Half Dome.
Camiaca Peak is on the Sierra crest between Excelsior Mountain and Twin Peaks along the northeast border of Yosemite National Park. It sits at the head of Virginia Canyon with unobstructed views southwest deep into the Yosemite high country.
This somewhat isolated lump of rubble can be seen as far away as Clouds Rest and other high points around Yosemite Valley. The south slope makes for a moderate day hike out of Virginia Lakes and the north slope the same from the Green Creek trailhead via Virginia Pass to the north.
Virginia Peak - Yosemite National Park - 05 Sep 1964
Summit Pass/Summit Lake - Yosemite National Park/Hoover Wilderness - 05 Sep 1964
Mount Conness, North Peak from top of Camiaca Peak - Hoover Wilderness - 05 Sep 1964
Virginia Canyon in Yosemite National Park from top of Camiaca Peak - 05 Sep 1964
Looking down on camp from top of Camiaca Peak - Hoover Wilderness - 05 Sep 1964
View north from top of Camiaca Peak - Hoover Wilderness - 05 Sep 1964
Virginia Peak and Sawtooth's from top of Camiaca Peak - 05 Sep 1964
Virginia Peak and Return Lake in Yosemite National Park from top of Camiaca Peak
Hoover Wilderness - 05 Sep 1964
Looking down on camp at Summit Lake while descending Camiaca Peak - 05 Sep 1964
Summit Lake while descending Camiaca Peak - Hoover Wilderness - 05 Sep 1964
Fishing at Summit Lake - Hoover Wilderness - 05 Sep 1964
Fishing with determination at Summit Lake - Hoover Wilderness - 05 Sep 1964
Bob Johnson catching a fish at Summit Lake - Hoover Wilderness - 05 Sep 1964
Sunday to Virginia Lakes - picnic lunch at Mono Village-Twin Lakes. Night on town in Bishop - camped Alabama Hills. Home Monday about 3 p.m. with stop in Garlock Ghost Town.
The trail to Virginia Lakes - Hoover Wilderness - 06 Sep 1964
Along the trail to Virginia Lakes - Hoover Wilderness - 06 Sep 1964
Upper Virginia Lakes - Hoover Wilderness - 06 Sep 1964
Looking back to the ridge from Virginia Lakes - Hoover Wilderness - 06 Sep 1964
Virginia Lake - Hoover Wilderness - 06 Sep 1964
Looking back from Virginia Lake - Hoover Wilderness - 06 Sep 1964