High Sierra Adventures - McGee Creek

derekrichardson(71)

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Welcome my fellow Steemians to yet another...

California Mountain Adventure!!

For this adventure I decided I needed to get out into some snow while the conditions were still good so I could get some use out of my crampons and ice axe and climb a few big mountains! So I headed up route 395 to Crowley Lake for a trip up McGee creek. I got to the trailhead, got my bag all packed, and headed up the trail.

The start of the Mcgee Creek trail

Hiking up the McGee creek trail

On the hike in the weather got bad fast. Rain, snow, and lots of hail! And as I got up above the snow line it became harder to follow the trail so I had to just navigate my own route. It all worked out good and I arrived at a totally frozen Big McGee lake! I found a small snow free area just above the lake and setup my camp there. It snowed lightly on and off all evening until I went to bed.

Bad weather in McGee creek

A small nameless lake along the trail

Climbing cross country through the snow

Setting up camp at Big McGee lake

Totally frozen Big McGee lake

The next morning I woke up to clear blue skies! It was looking like a great day so I headed out to attempt to climb Red Slate mtn.(13,163'). The approach to the base of the peak took a lot longer than I expected, but the actual climb up the Southeast ridge was fairly easy and I only really needed my crampons and Ice axe for the last 500' or so. The views from the summit were amazing!!

Overlooking Big McGee lake in the morning

Arriving at Little McGee lake which was also totally frozen

Climbing up passed McGee pass

Climbing the southeast ridge of Red Slate mtn.

The final approach to the summit

Summit view looking south

Summit view looking east

Summit view looking north

Me standing on the summit

I sat on top for awhile enjoying the amazing views, but as the clouds started to grow I decided I should start to head down. I got back to camp early and decided to check out the creek below Big McGee lake and do a little trout fishing. A few small snow showers came through, but nothing much and most of the clouds had cleared before sunset. Making for a nice calm evening.

Descending the southeast ridge

Looking back at Red Slate mtn. from McGee pass

Looking west over McGee pass

Exploring McGee creek below my camp

Looking for trout in McGee creek

Last bit of light at Big McGee lake

The next morning I started early and crossed the outlet of Big McGee lake and headed around its southern shore with the intention to climb Red and White mountain(12,816')!

Crossing the outlet of Big McGee lake

Red and White mtn. from the outlet of Big McGee lake

Overlooking Big McGee lake

The approach was much shorter than Red Slate mtn., but the climb was much steeper and quite a bit more technical. But the snow conditions were great on the climb up and I got to the summit without any major problems.

Starting the climb up to Red and White mtn.

Making my way up the southeast face

Looking down the southeast face

And of course the views from the summit were incredible! I found the register and signed in... and the last person to sign in was... me! Haha! From my trip through the Mono creek basin back in September!! It was so cool to be back, but this time in the snow! I got my summit photos and ate my lunch and then began my descent.

Arriving at the summit of Red and White mtn.

Summit shot looking north with Red Slate mtn. dominating the scenery

On the way down the snow had gotten much softer and was getting very slippery and causing small avalanches all over. So as soon as I could I got onto some snow free talus and descended a lot of the steep stuff on the rocks. I got back down safely to my camp at Big McGee lake and got to enjoy one last night camping up in the snow!

Descending from Red and White mtn.

Descending back down to Big McGee lake

Back at Big McGee lake

Back at camp

Views from camp

Glowing clouds over Red and White mtn.

So after my third and final night at Big McGee lake I packed up my camp and headed down the mountain. It was a beautiful blue sky day and I just strolled out casually enjoying every step, stopping often to play with the little trout in the creek, wishing I never had to leave... a great ending to another amazing adventure!!

McGee creek with Red and White mtn. in the distance