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Beginning of our hike after leaving Mosquito Flat (at 10,250 feet, the highest trailhead in the Sierra).
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Hiking up Little Lakes Valley along the upper portions of Rock Creek.
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Marsh Lake, the second in a string of eight lakes along the Little Lakes Valley trail.
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Peaks up to 13,700 feet provide a scenic backdrop to the valley.
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A few minutes later we reach Heart Lake.
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We enjoy a pleasant day of hiking in early fall conditions after an unseasonably cold 24 degrees this morning. We stayed warm by keeping a fire going all night in the wood-burning stove of our rustic Rock Creek Lodge accomodations.
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Box Lake is next along the way.
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Nearly constant views of the Sierra Nevada's version of the Alps makes this one of the most scenic day hikes in California.
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Enjoying one of the more breathtaking views.
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Crossing Rock Creek between Box Lake and Long Lake.
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Just below Long Lake.
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Beautiful Long Lake in the upper portion of Little Lakes Valley.
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The trail runs along the east side of Long Lake.
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Climbing up towards Chickenfoot Lake.
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We stop for lunch at the inlet to Chickenfoot Lake.
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Looking southeast towards 11,100-foot Morgan Pass, which leads to the Pine Creek trailhead.
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We decide to head up to Morgan Pass before finishing our Little Lakes Valley trek. This adds a couple of hundred feet of elevation gain to our day, resulting in a total of 1,000 feet gained (after factoring in the gentle roller coaster trail along the lakes).
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Climbing the short but steep trail to the pass.
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On top of Morgan Pass.
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Okay, so we didn't climb up here for the view.
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On the way to Gem Lakes.
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Lower Gem Lake.
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Our destination for the day, upper Gem Lake at 11,000 feet.
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Enjoying the Alpine setting.
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A lone fisherman takes our photo.
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Resting in the cool September sunshine.
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View of upper Gem Lake just before we head back down Little Lakes Valley to complete our 9-mile hike.