On July 15-20, 1981 myself, John & Stephani Bullock, Aram Bullock and Justin Bullock backpacked 33 miles round trip from Coldwater Campground via Duck Lake and Purple Lake to Franklin Lakes. The Bullock's arrived Tuesday around supper time from Lompoc and fed me a good chicken dinner.
Wednesday we hit the road about 8 a.m., picked up our permit at Mammoth and were on the trail around 10 or so. Only a few bugs at the parking lot and not many cars. Saw few people, mostly day hikers on the trail. Stopped at Arrowhead Lake for lunch, saw the old stamp mill near Skelton lake and stopped for snacks and swim at Barney Lake. Hit Duck pass in fine shape and took the use trail over to Pika where we found a nice campsite. Only one other party in the area.
Duck Lake, Aram Bullock - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Bullock family at Pika Lake - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Thursday morning we decided to go cross-country down the south side of the lake. Justin and I took a high route and after some boulder hopping arrived at a saddle we named JJ Pass. The rest of the gang quickly arrived and after a snowball fight we headed down to the west and picked up the trail. Noticed a nice campsite to use on the way out. Ran into a few other hikers as we headed for Purple Lake where we arrived about noon. After lunch and a swim we headed up a good use trail and in about 2.5 miles arrived at Ram Lake where we made camp between the first and second lake.
Justin Bullock getting a drink - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Meadow above Purple Lake - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Meadow above Purple Lake - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Pond above Purple Lake - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Above Ram Lake looking at camp - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Friday we laid over and took a short hike up to the Franklin Lakes for a swim and relaxation. Saturday was also a layover day so we hiked over the ridge and down to Virginia Lake. Very nice hike. We arrived at the lake outlet about 1 p.m. for lunch and a swim. Heading back about 3 p.m. or so we arrived at camp in time to fix supper and found a couple camped nearby who had hiked in from the roadhead that day, going out on Sunday.
Franklin Lakes - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Upper Franklin Lake - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Glennette Lake - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Saddle from Gennette Lake to Virginia Lake - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Franklin Lakes - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Franklin Lakes - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Glennette Lake - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
John, Justin, Aram and Stephanie Bullock above Virginia Lake
John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
John, Justin, Aram and Stephanie Bullock above Virginia Lake
John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Virginia Lake - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Virginia Lake - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Flower near Virginia Lake - John Muir Wilderness - Jul 1981
Sunday we headed down to Purple Lake about 9 a.m., arriving about 10:30 or 11. Ate lunch and took a swim. Hated to leave. I finally left about 1 and the rest followed around 3. I made it to our secret campsite just below Duck Lake around 3, setup camp took a bath and did my laundry. The rest arrived around 5 or so and we had a very pleasant last evening.
Monday we hit the trail early and hiked without stopping except at Duck Pass - arriving at the cars about 10:30. Bought some food and went to Horseshoe Lake for lunch and a swim before heading home after a very pleasant trip - outstanding weather and essentially no bugs.
The following is essentially the trip we took with modifications detailed above.
