Memorial Weekend Loch Levin Lake Hike

We had been planning an all day hiking trip over Memorial Weekend for awhile and were excited that we were suppose to have good weather.

Well, as always, not everything goes as planned. We woke up to dark looming clouds but still went on with our plans, heading out about 11 am. The clouds were the first glitch and the second was when I realized that although Roger had been telling me we were going to Verdi, which is just on the other side of Reno, we were really going 20 miles past Truckee. Which is about an hour further than we were expecting. After a couple of stops in Reno we finally got to the trail head at 2. There we found our 3rd surprise, about 4-6 feet of SNOW! Although summer had some what arrived in the valley the mountain was just starting to melt.

Not to be defeated, we set off into the wild blue yonder. The first 1/4 mile of the trail was wet but easy enough and we thought everything would be fine. It was after the second or third hill that we realized there would be too much snow to ever follow the trail all the way to the lakes. It was also about that time that we realized we had left the trail guide in the Yukon, so with just our memory and the GPS compass we set out to find the lakes ourselves.

Knowing that the lakes we basically due south we headed out that direction. It just so happened that in doing so we were required to go strait up. We decided we might as well go up since we would then be able to get our bearings and hopefully see the lakes. According to the GPS we ascended about 1500 feet and to our laugh the whole hike was only suppose to be a 1200 foot assent. In order to get us all up the hill Roger went first creating foot steps for us to follow up. The problem was that Roger's prints would sink about 6 to 12 inches into the snow and poor Luke could not step from one to the next. Thus, I carried him the WHOLE way up.
Roger took this picture with the trees and the slope to help get an idea of how steep an incline we were climbing. Boy, did I get winded! But Luke was so funny, just before we reached this stopping point he said with much feeling " Mom, I'm EXHAUSTED!" I LAUGEDH so hard. Here he was riding the whole way and telling his momma who was carrying him how tired he was!

We found this resting spot about half way up.

Looking down over our climb.

This is the next half up to the top. It is a great shot for showing the deep foot prints as well as a good view of the slope. It was basically straight up. I'm sure only a rock climber would be able to scale this when the snow is gone. We would have to be careful because of the Spring melt, every once in a while we heavier people would break though the snow up to our waists.

Another resting spot, almost to the the summit.

Looking out over the amazing view.

Sam being silly.

We made it!!!

To our surprise there was a nice little lake at the top.

Woo Whoo we did it!

Sadly, we only stayed on top for few minuets. The storm that had been blowing in was starting to get nasty and I did not want to be stuck up there in a bad rain storm.

Madisyn, pretty as ever.

Trying to find the Loch Levin Lakes, never did see them.

A cool old tree she needed a picture with.

After much debate we decided on the best way down.

All but Mom, she did not want a wet behind.

the slope

Roger and Jake had worn their packs as a prep for their upcoming trip. Jake has a black plastic trash bag in his that he used as a sled.

Roger went first, he ended up going over a ledge, probably a rock. See how it goes up to his waist? So he waited there and caught the kids as they came down. This is Sam.

Then Luke and then Maddie. Once again, Momma kept her hinny dry.

Finally we were almost back to the bottom. At least out of the deep snow.

Madisyn was trying to help Luke across this log. I'm not sure who really helped who though.

Over all it only took us about 2 hours and then we headed back home. A great day, but we are planning on going back over the 4th of July and hopefully will be able to do the actual trail and find the lakes.