The Ottoway Lakes Loop

Looking up the Merced Peak Fork from my lofty vantage point, sure enough, I could see Merced Peak.

Merced Peak Fork

The Ottoway Lakes Loop, September 2004

The Lyell Fork canyon looked inviting, and I knew I was looking almost levelly into the canyon bottom where the High Trail crossed. I was at about 8800 feet and the High Trail crossing of the Lyell Fork is at about 9100 feet. I could clearly see where the High Trail climbed up the Lyell Fork canyon wall.

Looking down I saw a strange sight: I saw what looked like a row of rocks zigzagging on a huge open level granite area. I was thinking about what glacier forces could leave behind such a formation. What I did not know was the area was not level at all (fooled by the distance), and it actually was man-made and marked the route of the trail.

A blasted section of trail heading towards the bottom of the Merced Peak Fork, watched over by Merced Peak.

I spent some time looking around because I was in no particular hurry to leave the real high country for the season. Eventually I went back to my pack and hit the trail.