On August 14th Gary, Brett, Maryann, Bruce and myself left for a week of adventure in Mammoth Lakes. The boys were planning to secure a permit, and head up to the top of Mt. Whitney (see Gary's Whitney page), while Maryann and I hiked to many of the alpine lakes of the Mammoth Lake Basin area.

We started the first day out by acclimating the boys to their upcoming Whitney adventure with some mild hiking to Devils Postpile National Monument, and Rainbow Falls. These 60 ft. columns of basalt lava were exposed by glaciers that flowed down the middle fork of the San Joaquin river 10,000 years ago, quarrying away one side of the postpile.

Brett checking out the view from the top of the Postpile columns

Gary and Brett in front of more postpile type columns.

Our view from the top of Rainbow Falls where the San Joaquin River plunges 101 ft. into the gorge. The mist creates a beautiful rainbow!

We decided to chill out a bit in the mist at the bottom of the falls.

Coming back from Devils Postpile and the falls, Bruce and Brett decided to stop for lunch, but ran into some trouble with falling trees!

Maryann and I did several hikes. One of the biggest climbs and most scenic was to Crystal Lake. This is Lake Mary/George in the background.

We found our way to Lake Barrett and T.J Lake. We didn't get as lost as we usually do!

Maryann and I decided to hob-nob with the locals in Mammoth Village, but found them a bit ferocious!

Cooking in the condo with beer margarita supplements.

Gary and I chillin' after a swim in the condo pool.

After about 20 minutes of a treading competition initiated by Brett, I was getting bored and decided to have a cocktail. Brett on the other hand was working on not drowning himself. We declared a tie, and got out when we were both getting chilled.

We took a nice drive the day after the guys conquered Whitney and visited June Lake.

Brett found a peaceful rock to himself, until some local ladies joined him later for backflipping practice.

We hiked in the Obsidian Dome area, where Bruce decided to create a rock garden amid the flowers.

Lots of obsidian, as seen in the rock stripes.

On our last Saturday when the guys had somewhat recuperated from their Whitney trip, we decided to hike in Rock Creek Canyon. The ranger had recommended this as one of the more spectacular hikes to Maryann and I when we visited the ranger station. And he wasn't wrong! The hike was only about 6 miles round trip, but had many spectacular lakes along the route. This was Marsh Lake, the first we encountered.

The view along the trail in Rock Creek Canyon.

We stopped to rest at Chickenfoot Lake where Bruce decided to fish, and accidentally caught Brett. Maryann was still looking for the trail, and Gary was being entertained by all. Brett later decided to swim in the 45 degree lake, and was the only one to brave the chill.

Another beautiful lake.

The hot tub was out of commission at the condo, so we decided to try some hot springs that the locals talked about called Whitmore Springs. When we walked out to them, this is what we found! One naked man Chuck, his dog Jody,and lots of smelly cows.The water was anything but clean, but Brett and Bruce decided to partake anyway. This adventure was fodder for many later jokes!