A Solo Hike Along the Silver Divide

The Peter Panda Riviara. Sunshine, sandy beaches, great views...what more do you need?

Peter Panda Lake

Silver Divide Trip from Edison Lake Trailhead, August 2001

Finally back on level ground, I began to skirt a small bay on the right while on my left was a stretch of white sand beach and shallow waters stretching out to a magnificent view over Peter Panda Lake. Above the lake the Silver Divide thrust its white granite jagged teeth into the deep blue sky. Now this is what I came for. Nearby was a spit of granite and soil decorated with picturesque trees to tempt the hiker to visit. The sandy trail led me to a wide sand and gravel outlet with many footprints in the stream-bed. There were stepping stones for crossing the stream, but due to the lateness of the season, they were not needed. The shallow bay was mostly shallow water that would be much deeper in early season.

Once across the outlet, the trail led into the trees that crowded the northwest shore, and immediately I came to a large sprawling packer site with the usual too-huge fire pit. Nearby I found a little ideal level alcove for my tent and I immediately set up camp with the kitchen at the fire pit. Once again, I had the place to myself.

It was only about noon by this time, so I busied myself making myself at home, taking a swim, washing clothes and just sitting in my chair reading and soaking up the outstanding views.

Home sweet home at Peter Panda Lake.

After dinner I enjoyed the alpen-glow on the Sierra Crest. Not far from camp to the northeast was an open level granite pavement decorated with small erratics that allowed fantastic views to the northeast and the Sierra Crest. I could look right down the Minnow Creek Canyon towards the PCT/JMT where those trails visited Purple Lake and Lake Virginia, lakes I have seen while doing the JMT. I had to assume the highest mountain on the crest was Bloody Mountain.

Looking down Minnow Creek Canyon and the Sierra Crest. The canyon on the left is where Purple Lake is located, and on the right is the home of Lake Virginia.

I noted that there were ducks leading down to Minnow Creek and Olive Lake, probably an easy cross-country trip from my present position.

Once the sun set and the afterglow turned everything monochromatic until full dark, I sat for a spell reading before turning in. So ended a very pleasant day of hiking and basking in the glory of the Sierra.