On February 17-19, 1973 myself, Gil Beilke, Curt Sayer and Paul Smith did an 8 mile round trip snowshoe trip to the Mammoth Pass area.
We drove to the end of the plowed road at Tamarack Lodge at the lower Twin Lake in Mammoth Lakes area. This area is now heavily used for ski touring instruction and short tours. We snowshoed along the south shore of the two Twin Lakes and up the hill to the Horseshoe Lake road near the bridge at the outlet of Lake Mamie, then along the road to its end at Horseshoe Lake, then toward Mammoth Pass to McCloud Lake where we camped. Curt and Paul made a slide for Curt's "green machine" (a plastic dish sled) and Gil scouted the Mammoth Pass area. I took pictures before starting supper.
Mammoth Mountain from bridge at outlet to Lake Mamie
Mammoth Lakes Basin 17 Feb 1973
Frozen Lake Mamie, Castle Crag and crest from outlet
Mammoth Lakes Basin 17 Feb 1973
Snow form on way to Mammoth Pass - Mammoth Lakes Basin 17 Feb 1973
View toward Duck Lake Pass route from approach to Mammoth Pass
Mammoth lakes Basin 17 Feb 1973
Sunday Gil woke us before dawn and we finished breakfast and hit the "trail" shortly before 8 a.m. Gil led us over Mammoth Pass with the intent of going to Rainbow Falls near Devil's Postpile. Since we had suddenly decided to go on this trip to the Sierra, rather than to San Gorgonio - because of the predicted excellent weather - deciding after getting on the road - we didn't have a map and were relying on my memory from 1963. Therefore we didn't know exactly where the falls was so proceeded blindly.
Upon descending to about 8800 feet we came to the valley rim and suddenly extremely steep terrain. The view of the Minarets, Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak, etc. was outstanding and it didn't look advisable to descend to the valley floor from a time and energy standpoint. We contoured north seeking a view of the Devil's Postpile area - to establish a landmark. Upon reaching another view point, we concluded that we should head for camp. We headed up slope to the pass - completing a loop back to camp at McCloud Lake. Paul and I took naps while Curt tried out his "green machine" and snowshoed around the lake - and Gil snowshoed to a nearby ridge for additional views.
Camp at McCloud Lake - Mammoth Lakes Basin 18 Feb 1973
Looking east over frozen McCloud Lake in the morning - Mammoth Lakes Basin 18 Feb 1973
Mammoth Mountain from near Mammoth Pass - Mammoth Lakes Basin 18 Feb 1973
Sierra Crest near Mammoth Pass - Mammoth Lakes Basin 18 Feb 1973
The forest near Mammoth Pass - Mammoth Lakes Basin 18 Feb 1973
Minarets, Mt. Ritter, Banner Peak looking up from San Jouquin River
Devil's Postpile area 18 Feb 1973
Minarets from valley rim - Devil's Postpile area 18 Feb 1973
Minarets, Mt. Ritter, Banner Peak from valley rim - Devil's Postpile area 18 Feb 1973
Minarets from valley rim - Devil's Postpile area 18 Feb 1973
Mt. Ritter, Banner Peak from valley rim - Devil's Postpile area 18 Feb 1973
Lunch stop - Devil's Postpile area 18 Feb 1973
Sunday morning temperature had been 8°above zero at camp which was about 30 feet above the lake. Monday morning it was 4°above zero at camp and -8°below zero on the lake. Monday we left camp about 8:15 and took a more direct route - following ski touring tracks - descending directly to the north shore of the upper Twin Lake, then across the lake past all the novice ski tourers - receiving instruction and practicing - to the car. After delays in getting the car started - due to 50 weight oil - we headed for home shortly after 1 :00 p.m. The weather was outstanding - a little hazy sky on Saturday- no wind except a slight breeze Saturday night and Sunday afternoon - a full moon almost all night - and warm sunny days.