The Ottoway Lakes Loop

Lower Merced Pass Lake with a typical granite wall seen so commonly throughout the Sierra.

Lower Merced Pass Lake

The Ottoway Lakes Loop, September 2004

I was getting hungry, thirsty and tired after 6 miles and over 2000 feet of gain and had to stop for a power bar break and foot-rest. After a brief break, I moved on and a bit later I realized I was in the general area of Lower Merced Pass Lake. I looked at my map and compass and walked off the trail about ten yards to the southwest, and sure enough, I could see water through the trees. A short easy march brought me to a large slab area next to the lake where I gratefully eased off my pack, got out my chair and had a nice sit-down. I took off my boots (time to treat some forming blisters) and got out lunch and enjoyed the now sunny warm day.

This late in the season, this lake is the best place to get water for miles around. Lower Merced Pass Lake is a nice small lake being filled in by meadow on one side. As usual for most Sierra Lakes, there is a granite wall at one end of the lake, which helped the glacier dig out the lake. From what I could see, any camping should be done well back in the very flat forest because near the lake it is slabby and resistant to tent stakes. There are probably camps there, but I did not see any.