Got high by myself this weekend...

[SHigSpeed]

This last weekend I revisited one of my favorite lakes for a solo overnighter. The two guys that bailed on me will probably kick themselves, but oh well! :)

I'll keep it pretty simple, but it was a lot of beautiful scenery, good weather, no bugs, and willing fish (at least on Saturday).

I hauled my gear and tube/waders/fins up the mountain, set up camp, fished for a very productive few hours, then scaled the mountain above to bag my first actual peak ever! I hope this doesn't become a habit, but it sure is fun to be at the top of the (local) world. Managed to do a crossword up top, scribbled in the log, and read through some of the funny, inspiring, and emotional notes that others have left before me.

Unfortunately one of my fins fell off and sunk early in the afternoon on Saturday, so once the wind started whipping up, it was difficult to really keep position or move so well. Crazy, I lost a fin last time too! I gotta start taking three? No matter, I had accomplished what I had come for, and just being there was worth the work.

Photos below:

On the way in:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8458/7993942758_6c9b73890c_c_d.jpg

"Camp Orange at 9000 feet"

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8309/7994020282_aaa5f60ce2_c_d.jpg

I found GOLD!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/7994001548_030cbb52e7_c_d.jpg

... and what I think is a LGT - Lahontan Golden Trout. Check out the leopardy spots on the tail and the white tipped fins. Though it has the body spots and irridescent hues (not to mention what I call the "idiot-eyed" look of an LCT) of a cutt. The kicker was most LCT fight, in the words of a co-worker, like a three-hole punch tied to your tippet. But this one kicked my ass! I had to feed it line and put it on the reel. Even then it took off on a few hearty runs, and anyone who has fished with me knows that I NEVER let fish take line and I always pretty much strip skip them into the net. Very curious for a pure LCT. Fun, whatever it was.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8457/7994000701_25a7e72199_c_d.jpg

Oh, and if anyone needed the answers:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8306/7993970941_e4bc65f697_c_d.jpg

"I'm on top of the world!"

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8316/7993974872_2bfce1f070_c_d.jpg

Homeward bound:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7993950423_77f79f3621_c_d.jpg

_SHig

[Darian]

Stunning scenery/views and really great fish. What more can you ask for??? What a weekend. :D

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Wow......and in CA too

[Jed Peters]

Pretty damn cool!

[Cmcculloch]

Great photos and post! You must also have brought a tripod along.

[k.hanley]

Well done Mar! Gotta love adding the peak element to your trips. And yes... sitting on top of the world is addictive!!!

Cheers, Ken

[SHigSpeed]

Great photos and post! You must also have brought a tripod along.

Nothing small bungies and a trekking pole can't take care of!

_SHig

[Mark Kranhold]

Simply beautiful! The best high one could ask for. Great post and photos as well, thank you.

[kabah088]

Shig,

Did you get buzzed by a couple of helicopters on saturday night? I was doing the same thing you were at a lake to the south (minus the gold). During the night there were some low flying helicopters buzzing the basins. They lit up our camp with the spotlights. Never had that happen while backpacking.

Alex

[SHigSpeed]

Shig,

Did you get buzzed by a couple of helicopters on saturday night? I was doing the same thing you were at a lake to the south (minus the gold). During the night there were some low flying helicopters buzzing the basins. They lit up our camp with the spotlights. Never had that happen while backpacking.

Alex

Nope, no choppers, but the wind was howling so I had earplugs in.

_SHig