I did this hike today! But I only got to the first Gem Lake as I was too tired. Still, a great hike! Cold in the morning, but temps in the 60's in the afternoon. Glad I started in the morning, seeing the rising Sun's light on the peaks and the air so clear. I spent the prior day at Mammoth Lakes to get acclimated. Happy Hiking! Andy
This is so timely...my wife and I are going up to the Eastern Sierra's this weekend and the 1st weekend of Oct and this trail was one that I was thinking of going on! Thanks so much for these videos, keep them coming.
I found your later videos because I follow Joey Coconato and thus yours. And I have been enjoying working my way back through your travels. I appreciated the background you provided in this one. Unlike you, I grew up with a father who took us camping and backpacking so it was a part of my life from the age of 6, so I took it for granted. Being from Kansas City, we gravitated to Rocky Mountain National Park and Yellowstone, although we took a month long trip to Alaska my sophomore year of high school. When I went to East Texas for college it didn't take long for me to realize that the lack of mountains and camping was leaving a big hole in my life. After graduation I resumed my trips to the mountains as often as I could and we have raised our children camping and backpacking. At 65, we are slowing down, but finding ways into the backcountry on short trails (Leigh Lake in the Tetons this summer) and utilizing horsepacking, canoes, etc. It is wonderful living vicariously through your travel videos. And I have really loved your recent adventures living in your camper. We have always had vans with a bed my husband has rigged in the back and are looking forward to taking longer trips in retirement.
I can see why you had to get out. What a BEAUTIFUL area. The blues and greens in those mountain lakes are awesome ... just don't get that here in Ohio! Thanks for sharing the pics AND your heart! Your videos always inspire me to get out on the trail myself!
It really is so beautiful. I spent two summers in Dayton Ohio when I was about 10 and 11. My dad moved there for a couple years after my parents divorced. I remember the fireflies. We don't have those here. :)
Great video. I agree with the comment below; Florida is old and flat. I'm in South Florida which is the flattest region of the State so next time I'm in Cali, I'm taking my family to Little Lakes Valley for some elevation. Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Mom's are the best! P.S. I'm a man also and watch your videos because they are very well done. You even made Death Valley look interesting.
I really enjoy all your videos! But I love your eastern Sierra videos. Living in so cal, your eastern Sierra adventures and local adventures allows for my own possible adventures! Thanks again.
I'll most likely be sticking to the Sierra the rest of the season. I don't have any more plans for out of state backpacking this year. Glad you enjoy them and thank you for the support.
Catherine ,Love your videos and all of Nature and I am in my peace in the Mountains!John Muir quoted "In every walk with Nature one receives far more than He/She seeks. Keep close to Nature's heart... The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness. The mountains are calling and I must go. The power of imagination makes us infinite "Thanks!
Hi Angela. Thank you for watching. Although my mom is pretty active and likes to hike on the trails around her home, a lot of what I do is just too much for her. She wasn't an outdoorsy person when I was growing up, but like me...she has become one. I know these videos make her happy even though she tends to worry when I'm out there.
Catherine, I love your hiking videos! I'm from California originally, but have lived in Indiana for the last 19 years. Just between you and me, the hiking in California is much better. I've been up to Little Lakes Valley twice, and it's amazing! Did you make it up to Gem Lake at the far end of the valley? One of the most beautiful little lakes I've ever seen. Thanks for creating and sharing your awesome videos!
Yes day hiking is different from backpacking for the soul. But I use many of my day hikes to scout new back possibilities. How long does it take to trail head. Can I take my car or do I have to crank up my trail head SUV? Or do I shuttle with my old mountain bike for a loop? Most of my overnight trips are day and half trips where, almost like an extended day hike but a start off a few miles from the trailhead. I am a senior and all but one of my hiking and packing partners are women because most men of my generation did not take very good care of themselves. I love the beauty and the enthusiasm you bring to hiking exploring.
Hi Rob. There is parking right at the trailhead, but it fills up pretty quickly during the summer months. You can basically park almost anywhere on the side of the road down for about a mile. There is some overflow parking as well. Glad you enjoyed the video. :)
Oh Catherine, you bring the beauty of nature to us in a spectacular way. Truly enjoying every moment of your life and sharing it with us. Most importantly your family and friends and especially your mom. You are a wonderful soul with loving spirit 😊❤️ thank you!
🙋🏼♀️I am a woman and I watch your videos!!! I also did not discover the mountains till later in life and can’t believe how much I missed over the years. Doing yet another section of the AT next weekend. Keep on doing your thing!!
Hi Margaret! Yes...you've been subscribed for a couple years I believe. Thank you for that. I do appreciate it and enjoy seeing your comments. Have a great time on the AT!
We are making up for lost time. :) Have you done this hike? It's easier than what you're used to. lol Super, super beautiful thought and definitely worth it.
@@CatherineGregoryAdventures I haven't! I may have been looking at going through here on a loop around Iva Bell hot springs and Duck Lake? Can't remember.. but I will remember it now 👍
For sure you could create a loop that would include this. I talked to a couple guys coming in from 7 days over all sorts of passes and this was the end of their trip.
🤗 Hello Catherine, you never cease to amaze. One awesome video after another. This video was truly spectacular. Be sure to take good care of yourself. It is nice to hear that you speak fondly of your Mom.🤗
Thank you Ronald. I love my mom. She wasn't an outdoorsy person when I was growing up, but like me...she has become one. I know these videos make her happy even though she tends to worry when I'm out there.
Looks like I will be at the lone pine ranger station Friday 9/21 in the morning to check out trail conditions. I think cottonwood pass and cottonwood lake area and the whitney portal. I'm hoping to s mb ag a day hike permit to summit whitney. I have a week planned for the area. Maybe I'll see you on the trails. Enjoy your work. Thanks!
What a beautiful video!!!.....this place is stunningly beautiful....to me this just may be the most beautiful place I have seen you explore...just awesome!
It really is just jam packed with beauty. Like my friend Diane says here in a comment...there's no waiting for it to "get good"...it's all good! Glad you enjoyed it my friend!
Love hiking, camping and fishing in that area, im just amazed at how much water and bits of snow is still up there this late in the season. What was the date of this video shoot?
Thanks Jaxx! I was so envious of the backpackers and just wanted to stay out there to sleep. No permits were available. Glad I got to at least hang there for awhile. :)
Beautiful! I love your statement that you are in love with the mountains and never want to live without them! Great video. I love watching your adventures. I just started my YT channel and wished I years ago so I could go back and see all the trial I have hiked. Stay Safe!
I just loved this video Catherine. My favorite to date. My love of backpacking and the mountains also came late in life and I identify with your story. This hike is on my 2019 list for sure. Thanks.
Beautiful!! Thank you for being such an inspiration. I find myself not having a hiking parter at times. But your videos inspire me to go out and explore no matter what. Thank you!💖
I love this hike and your well produced video. I took my future wife here a couple of times many years ago as a gentle introduction to the difficulties of hiking at high altitude and the breathtaking beauty of the High Sierra. She became as much enamoured as myself. Thank you for sharing these awesome videos and images with us, Cat!
There was a woman hiking carrying a toddler in one of those backpacks that carry children. When she got to Long Lake, she sat her baby down on the trail still sitting in the pack and then she jumped in the lake. She didn't swim, but must have needed to cool off after carrying the weight of her child.
Wow.. that’s nuts. My son and I just returned from a back-country hike in the Sawtooth Mountains (Idaho). We swam in the hidden lakes along our route..and nearly froze our bums off.. but it was very refreshing. So I understand where that lady was coming from!
Hey Jason! It really is so incredibly beautiful. Understandable why so many people want to hike it. Funny...I meet a viewer every time I'm hiking the Sierra. This was the first time they were women. I've never met a viewer on my trips out of state. lol I obviously have a decent Sierra audience.
At least no smoke . Sorry to see you leave my state so suddenly because of the smoke. It didn't take you long for another hike but what a difference from the rain forest back to the sierras. Just for doing Blue Glacier I subscribed.
Willard Wooten hi Willard! Thank you for subscribing! I absolutely love your state and can’t wait to come back. There’s still a lot of exploring for me to do up there. I want to visit the North Cascades. Seeing your rainforest was such a treat for me as the Sierra is much more the terrain I’m used to. And what can I say about Blue Glacier!? Mind blowing. It was the highlight of that trip to be sure.
If you did a lot of the shorter hikes in the N. Cascades or join them together , you would think you are where your at now. Lots of granite , boulders and lakes. I'm 66 otherwise I'd come join you. My 31 year old niece just got done boulder climbing in the cascades and will be join her boyfriend in Argentina ( he's a guide for Whittaker mountaineering ) while he's guiding she's going to rock climb.
Good for her. I'm not much of a climber, although I have been on sections of trail that required using your hands to climb up. Namely in the Grand Canyon.
I was curious so I went to Whitaker Mountaineering web page and checked employees .To my amazement my niece Kim G Also works for Whitaker. She's always gone hard to keep up but she's celebrating 10 year anniversary from hiking the PCT , her trail name is SOL , shit out of luck. First day left expensive rain gear at trail angels house.
Hahaaa...that's awesome how she got her trail name. She can probably laugh about it now. Looks like she takes after her uncle when it comes to a love for the outdoors.
Amy Nelson hi Amy! I was hoping I don’t offend my subscribers by saying that because I of course am happy that you all enjoy them, too. :) Thank you for coming along.
@@CatherineGregoryAdventures Looks just as beautiful as it did when I was there a few weeks ago. Starts at 10000 and stays pretty level until you get past long lake. Just gorgeous views,the whole way. No walking and wondering when its going,to get good. It is all good!
Hi Catherine :) Great video! It looks like you had a fun weekend :) I have a question, if you don't mind my asking. What video editing program do you use for doing your video editing? I did notice in one of your previous videos that you have a Mac on your counter. Do you use I-Movie? Adobe Premier? Or something else?
Hi John. Glad you enjoyed the video. I also did an overnight car camp and hike this same weekend I am making a separate video for. Stay tuned for that. Yes... I use iMovie. It does have some limitations so I'd like to upgrade at some point.
Hello Catherine, thank you for your reply :) I have a Mac also with I-Movie that I have never used. I guess it's about time. One of our multi-media designers at work told me that I-Movie is a great for folks just getting into movie making, and did suggest Adobe Premier when I decide to get more serious about it. Have a great day, and I do look forward to that other video :)
Loved it! I will be lone pine in two weeks. I am up for hike suggestions. Also would love to meet you and Joey. I hiked a section of the pct through plumas county on August 24,25,26. Was great only ran into two lady hikers also. Very interning and brave ladies, they were swimming in the trail lakes???
Great scenery and well edited video. I'm amazed that the lakes were so full and there was still snow in the mountains. Here in western Colorado we've had an extremely hot and dry summer and there were many lakes that dried up completely. Thanks for sharing this beautiful hike!
San Juan Mountain Bob thank you. We had a late winter. It snowed pretty heavily in the spring. It was a fairly dry winter overall though unfortunately.
Love your videos...its showed me some new areas I want to check out. Never heard of Little Lakes Valley....where does the trail head start. I heard you say Gem Lake...thats above the June Lakes loop....if its the same Gem Lake you are talking about. Ive gone by Gem on the way to Alger Lakes and Lost lakes to do some Golden Trout Fishing....I love to Fly Fish the high Lakes. Is this the area you are talking about? Ill be in Mariposa in a couple of weeks to work an event that deals with Adventure Travelers...after that Im hoping to hit the Sierras....as long as the weather holds up. Love to do a hike with you someday...Im always up for learning a new area. Again, love your videos...take care and Happy Trails to you....LOL
Hi Randy. It isn't the same Gem Lake. This trail starts at the Mosquito Flats Trailhead. You turn off the 395 at Toms Place which is about 20 mins south of Mammoth onto Rock Creek Road. Basically take Rock Creek Road all the way to the end. Thank you so much for the kind words!
Thanks Catherine.....Yea I know Rock Creek and Toms Place....Ive fished in that area. I consider Mammoth as my second home. I had a hunch it was a different Gem Lake. Thanks for the heads up...Happy Trails to you and again thanks
You can’t really tell by my name but I’m a man too! I’ve watched every video you’ve made and just love them all! So sweet to mention your mom!!! Watching your videos makes me wonder why I’m living in plain old flat Florida! LOL 😆
Thank you for clarifying that Loran. I did assume you were a woman. haha. I so appreciate you taking the time to watch all of my videos. The old ones are pretty bad. lol. Thank you so much.
Catherine, this was surprisingly pretty cool! Love to see other aspiring creators on youtube, like you! I've just finished a video about mental health and I think you could like it! If you've got better things to do, never mind :D Have a great day!
