8-10-2024, I got up early and dressed, ate my oatmeal, and then drove to Twin Lakes while drinking tea. There I used the facilities and hastily put together my gear for the day and then headed off through the campground to the meet up area at the start of the trail. I was a few minutes late, but as many others were too they still hadn't left. We took the pic and then started off up the trail. Soon the trail runners began to run and left the rest of us behind. I was in the lead of the walking pack when we turned off from the main trail onto the climber's trail that went up Little Slide Canyon past The Incredible Hulk. I missed a turn somewhere as did most of those with me and we ended up going up the west side of the canyon too far. I continued on up this way with Daryn hoping it would go smoothly, but we ran into a lake with cliffs dropping into the water on both sides. We traversed back around to the east and down to the main trail putting us a bit behind most of the others. We caught up at the saddle where people were changing clothes and grabbing snacks.
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We dropped down into the canyon on the south side, following a trail for a while, but then heading back cross country when the trail headed east and we stayed southish along Piute Creek in Slide Canyon. There was some slow talus and meadows with hidden wet traps, but mostly it was pretty easy travel. We grabbed some water from side streams and then split up where we could either follow the canyon farther or start side-hilling up towards the ridge. Normally I would probably take the up version, but I was feeling risk adverse and took the low route. We headed uphill a little farther downhill where low angle slabs and a drainage went up to the ridge. Yumi had recently finished crushing a 100 mile race and claimed to be slow and weak, but she still easily passed Mason and myself on the uphill sections. We continued on up to the ridge where we turned to the south and headed up towards the peak. We had to continue cutting left as the ridge had a bunch of sub-ridges that angled to the left. We saw a group of others by a small lake getting water and talking. The runners were heading down, and the walkers were heading up. We continued on to the 10545 ft summit of Bath Mountain. The views were pretty nice, but somewhat marred by smoky air. We could see the smoke from a fire off to the south. I spent some time on the summit taking pics, talking, and eating as well as checking out the summit register that contained an old Kodak film canister that was an old Andy Smatko register.
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On the descent I let Chris convince me (and others) that it would be just as easy to go up and over Slide Mountain and take the trail back from there - I don't think it actually was, but we did get another peak and some snow boot skiing plus swam in a refreshing little lake on the way. It was nearly sunset by the time we got back to the cars. There someone had given a group that got back earlier a bunch of cooked fish, so I ate some of that before packing up and heading out to meet up with Iris at the Mobil. I stopped to take a dip (rinse) in one of the twin lakes.
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There was a nice sunset, but I didn't get to the Mono Lake overlook in time to get a pic of it from there. I stopped at the Mobil to get hot water for tea and oatmeal (in insulated containers so it would be at least warm in the morning) but by now Iris had already left. I met up with her at an overlook parking place where she was sleeping on a giant bench. She moved into the Element. When I was crawling in the back I tried to minimize my contact with the dusty back bumper and my toe slipped off and I fell flat on my back in the ground. I was tired and frustrated and sore and just stayed on my back looking up at the stars. Iris looked out and started laughing. I probably did look pretty funny. I gathered my energy and got up and went to bed more successfully this time.
Total for the day 2 peaks and 1 swim. Strava said 22.8 mi and 7838 ft of elevation gain.