Sphinx Lakes in Kings Canyon

The lowest Sphinx Lake shows its dual nature. Half of the lake is clear and deep, and the other half is some open water and bayou-like channels of water. That is not a meadow below, but grass growing in water. The fate of all Sierra lakes...

Half Lake, Half Bayou

Turning the lake on the right (west) side along the trail to above the headwall and the lake above is a much safer route for people with backpacks. To the right is a good trail that goes along a section of lake turning into meadow, more like a bayou, with a wide channel and an open body of water of the former lake. The trail then fades away into a large open bowl terraced with flowers and topped with peaks...

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