Deadman Canyon Loop

The Angle Wings soar over the entrance to Valhalla and Hamilton Lakes and falls. You can see the amazing High Sierra Trail switchbacking up the side ot the sholder of Valhalla at mid picture.

Valhalla

Deadman Canyon Loop - By D.W.Donehoo (All rights reserved)

As you descend and especially as you reach the outlet stream, a spectacular view opens up the Lone Pine Creek canyon. With a good map and eye, you can follow the creek up to where Tamarack Lake is hidden in its depression. The entrance to Valhalla and its granite towers are even more visible. As you begin descending good switchbacked trail to Lone Pine, in early season you will enjoy the music and sight of the Lonely Lake outlet stream cascading and falling down from its hanging valley into Lone Pine and the creek there..

The Lone Pine drainage hiding Tamerack Lake.

Eventually, you reach the junction of no less than four trails (or more precisely, two junctions a few yards apart). If you go left at the first junction you will soon reach a large flat area with plenty of campsites. Farther up the trail you ascend next to a very nice waterfall: at about 20 feet above the top of the falls is a crossing to several very good campsites. This is a fairly high use area because of all of the trails nearby, so don't expect alot of privacy. For an even better wilderness experience, continue up the trail to Tamarack Lake, and the good camping on the south side of the lake. The hike is worthwhile in itself: there are more falls, cascades, meadows and fields of wildflowers along the way. From Tamarack Lake there are a number of cross-country opportunities available.

The next destination is Bearpaw Meadow, and there are some options for getting there. First, proceed south on the trail from Lone Pine till you get to the junction. If you want to get to Bearpaw by the quickest route, take the right fork of the 2.1 mile "Over the Hill Trail" trail. It is rocky, exposed, fairly steep and normally hot even early in the day. At its summit, it provides great views into Valhalla providing you can find a spot where the trees don't block the view.