GABLE LAKES INYO NATIONAL FOREST, CALIFORNIA

July 23, 2018


Gable Lakes. Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
The Sierras have been on my mind for years now and a trip to the mountainous granite landscape, flower blooms, and beautiful alpine lakes was overdue for a visit.

Heather starting out on a hike to Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.

We did not plan far ahead in advance so we were limited as to what permits we were able to grab but we did score a pair of permits to visit these alpine lakes and make an attempt to summit mount Tom which is at around 13,500ft.

old mining equipment on Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California. 
The day before I had a podcast interview with www.gogetoutsode.com and spent an hour talking about diving, caving, and stories that started off with once upon a time in mexico....

mining equipment Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
We headed to the Gable Lakes trail head and it was raining pretty good the day before we were going to set out for Gable Lakes.

Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
The rain appeared to disperse right as  the sunset and a clear sky was out for the midnight stars.
 hiking up to Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
The following day we headed up early on the steep trail towards Gable Lakes.
Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
The trailhead is in the back of the parking lot on the south side of the parking lot and follows a steep switch back to the mining equipment.
Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
We did not find the trail to be too steep or difficult to follow as it meandered around the mountain and followed Gable Creek. 
almost to Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
We got to a vegetated spot where we got turned around a few times but Heather was able to find the trail and we continued our way up to Gable Lakes.
Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
After almost three hours of hiking up 3700ft of elevation gain, we made it to Gable Lakes.
Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
Gable Lakes is a series of kettle lakes from snow run off which is surrounded by peaks and steep walls of granite.
Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
We got to an elevation of around 10,700ft above sea level and the views were just amazing!!
camp Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
The Lakes, flowers, and the massive peaks made the views some of the best that I have seen in a long time in an alpine region.
Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
There were some great campsites around the lakes and a trail that continued up to the upper tier of lakes The water up here was crystal clear and super cold but the views were something that we could not get enough of.
Heather hiking to the upper Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
We took a bit of a nap up here and noticed that the clouds started to form into thunder clouds pretty quickly.
Upper Gable Lakes, Inyo National Forest, California.
We did not make it up to the summit of mount Tom due to the chance of thunder so we spent more time enjoying these lakes and started our way back down to the car.
As we were descending the clods started to form and a few streaks of lightening crossed the sky.

Heather taking a nap in the upper gable lakes
We got back to the car in about 8 hours from when we started off.

Upper Gable Lakes.
This Region is my new favorite and I am looking forward to going back next year to spend more time up in the Sierras.

Gable Lales.






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