Highway 168 Western Sierra Slope

I delivered a car to Florence lake for a friend who is backpacking from Reds Meadow. I had never been up the western side of the Sierra before. Holy crap there is a lot of granite that starts just outside of Fresno. I thought we had it good up here with Sugarloaf, Phantom Spires and Lovers Leap. There's climbing everywhere down there. I think I need to get down there with the rope and spend some time.

And hot springs too. There are several concrete tubs and dammed up pools for your soaking pleasure on public land at mono hot springs.

Again, no camera. I think I lost it.

The Sweetwater Mountain Range

There is a little mountain range just East of the Sierra North of Bridgeport that is just a fantastic place to go and explore. Ghost towns, old mines, and large stands of Aspen just waiting to be seen in the Fall. These are just a few of the draws to this little visited region. If you can make it up to the top of 11,667' Mt Patterson on a clear day you will be rewarded with one of the best views of the Northern Sierra from Matterhorn Peak to the Tahoe area.

If you do decide to go up Mt Patterson, be prepared to walk or have a small 4wd vehicle to make some tight hairpin curves on the side of a mountain face. With my 4runner I had to back up a few times to make a couple of turns. Don't mess up here, there's no forgiveness if you go over the edge.

I just spent a weekend there and I forgot the camera. Go and explore.