the low bridge, again

On my return I went under the low bridge again. If I had to guess I'd say it was maybe three feet from the lake surface to the underside of the bridge. I suppose passing through such a narrow passage built character.

abundance of birds

It was around this same time I observed the abundance of bird life inhabiting the edges of Twin Lakes. Even more than the aquatic plants, they were not easy to capture on camera. Above, my first attempt to photograph a coot, perhaps the most abundant of all the birds I encountered.

aquatic plants

Twin Lakes is mostly shallow. As mentioned, photographing on a kayak has its challenges. When I caught a hauntingly beautiful glimpse of these aquatic plants, I feverishly retrieved my camera from the waterproof bag tucked away in the waterproof compartment. By the time I had it ready, the kayak had long since glided past that point of beauty. I went back to what I thought was the site, but none of these three photos capture the magic of that initial moment. That being said, they're not bad either.

kayaking Twin Lakes, part 2

Having reached the falls I turned the kayak around and the scenery just got better and better.

Twin Falls from a kayak

 

Up close, Twin Falls didn't look too large or intimidating, but the roar and the motion of it was wonderful. I don't always feel comfortable using my camera in a kayak - there's always the risk it will get wet - but in this case the quality of the scenery demanded it.

kayaking Twin Lakes

Beyond the osprey was the bridge which goes to the campground, and beyond that Twin Falls. The lakes being higher than usual due to the historic snowfall, it wasn't clear if I could get under that bridge. Fortunately, leaning forward did the trick. Mrs. cheered me on from above.

the osprey

The next morning I got up bright and early so as to experience Twin Lakes on a kayak. One of the first things I encountered was this osprey perched high up on a dead treetop.

sitting by the fire

Although it was August, the temperature at Tamarack Lodge dipped low enough after dinner to make sitting by the fire in the lobby a pleasant "pre-walking-back-to-the-cabin" interlude.

The Lakefront revisited

We knew from the first visit that it was fancy and expensive, but I must admit that I enjoyed it more this time. Also, there was the bonus of - after a day of driving - staying put at Tamarack Lodge and not having to go into town. The soup and the sea bass seen here were both very good.

Forest Chapel

Something else we didn't see in the winter was this Forest Chapel just across the footbridge near Tamarack Lodge. It's not at all surprising that people would want to be married in such a beautiful outdoor setting. 

715 inches of snow

On the tree at the far left is a wooden slat indicating how high the snow got at this rental center on Twin Lakes. 715 inches was an all time record and there was over 900 inches on Mammoth Mountain itself. Interesting to see all this after cross country skiing here in early 2022.

Twin Lakes in the summer, part 2

Having only seen the place in the snow, we were curious to walk around Twin Lakes and get the feel for its "summertime mode". Instead of snow there are wildflowers and waterfalls, but also mosquitoes, weeds and the damage that over 700 inches of snow can cause. Also lots of people fishing. On the whole though it was pretty dang picturesque.

Cabin 38

Tamarack Lodge's cabin 38, our home for the next three days, in gloom (above) and shine (below). During our stay we had plenty of both (gloom and shine).

Twin Lakes in the summer

The first difference we noticed upon reaching Twin Lakes in the summer was the sight of Twin Falls roaring in the distance. In the winter of course all is frozen and covered with snow. Amazingly there was still plenty of snow in mid-August, as seen from this vista point by the spillway.

Rock Creek Road

A lunch stop in Bishop and then we were closing in on Mammoth Lakes. We started driving down Rock Creek Road but it started to rain, so we pulled over and savored this enormous pine tree and the roaring creek behind it.

Onion Valley Road

We went for a delightful drive down Onion Valley Road from Independence up to the base of the Sierras. We turned around at Grays Meadow Campground where we saw this roaring creek - Independence Creek.

Mary Austin house

 

I had heard of Mary Austin, author of the 1903 book "The Land of Little Rain". I did not know that she called Independence, CA home.

Mt. Williamson breakfast

Breakfast at the Mt. Williamson Motel was with hikers and for hikers.

 

private patio, part 2

As a side note, our cabin was named after Bailey the dog, who I believe may have been the first dog to stay at the motel.

private patio

More of Mount Williamson and the rest of the mountains as seen from our own private patio at the Mt. Williamson Motel. Until the morning it was either too hot or to rainy to use.

Mount Williamson in the morning

Mount Williamson in the morning, post rain, and more of the Sierras extending south as far as the eye can see, as seen from the Mt. Williamson Motel.