Lake Sabrina Basin

 

Getting on an iceberg   photo John Knadle (click to enlarge, x to get back)

Surfing an iceberg   photo John Knadle

Sorry for the click bait, but I've got to get your attention somehow. This was taken many years ago, when whitie tighties were standard multipurpose shorts and the author had black hair and beard. Those days are gone, but I would like to recount a recent trip to the Sabrina Basin which kindled old memories. But first, please let me set the context for this most recent trip. 

I have always loved the big lake approach to backpacking in the Sierra. You start high, but have the fisher folk and merchants to thank for paved, plowed roads leading to adequate parking at high elevations. For me, the Sierra is at it's most pristine and wild above 10,000 ft. The above pictures were taken above 11,000 feet at Echo Lake, one of the highest in the basin. 

My favorite lake in the Blue Lake and up drainage is Midnight Lake. It's stark beauty makes for deep thoughts and access cross-country to other higher lakes. I picked it to dazzle my wife Kathy when we were first dating. As you can see from the map, there is a lot of territory between Blue Lake (our objective on Tuesday 9/5) and Midnight Lake. This made for a long first day and stressed the mating ritual, but Kathy hung in there and we had a great time overall. Never fear, the details of the recent Sabrina to Blue Lake will be explained in detail that the map doesn't cover.

Echo Lake on bottom Midnight left of red line near center

Kathy and I celebrating our 25th at Midnight Lake

So, now that I have given a little history of this basin, let's get back to this week's adventures. As any of you who have reached the age of reason, let's say 60, what you could do in the past only becomes relevant at high school reunions or after too much alcohol. I am pushing 80 and Kathy is 15 years younger. Some of my previous behaviors probably could not pass muster in today's world. 

We get to the parking lot at Sabrina at 8:30. It is 36 degrees and Kathy has a very small daypack without gloves or hat. One of her pet peeves is that I monkey around too much getting ready. So, she says " I'm going". From the looks of the ridge we are following, we will not see the sun for an hour or more. This drainage is supposed to be a warm up for Bishop Pass, tomorrow's goal and things are looking bad. 

The Lake is full and there is a great view from the trail

I still can't seem to get my rhythm in order to make good time. Then I remember the breath step. It is inhale through the nose on one step, exhale with pursed lips to two or three steps. The emphasis on the exhalation gets the bottom of the lung clear and allows gravity to fill it. 

So, I'm starting to make better time and there is hope for tomorrow.

Blue Lake looking towards Echo Lake in far distance

So, we take a 15 minute lunch break and head back to the trailhead.

Should have brought the Crocs, which work great 

Sabrina, looking toward the Whites

So, the stats were 3 hours to Blue Lake and 2.5 hours back to trailhead. I will publish another blog on the South Lake to Bishop Pass done on Tuesday 9/6.

Back to our campsite at 4 Jeffries