Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Virginia Lakes - Mono County, California


Visited on October 2, 2017 on my journey from Sacramento to Owens Valley Conservation Camp near Bishop, CA to proctor a Drinking Water Operator Exam.  Wow!!! what a hidden secret!  Virginia Lakes are a basin of smaller lakes only 50 acres large located on the eastern edge of Sierra Mountains south of the town of Bridgeport, CA off of Highway 395 at Conway Summit in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The bodies of water in the Virginia Lakes Basin include Trumbull Lake, Red Lake, Blue Lake, Big Virginia Lake, Little Virginia Lake, Cooney Lake, Moat Lake, and the Frog Lakes. These are all connected by the perennial Virginia Creek (not navigable).  The lakes are really up there...located at 9,819 feet above sea level!  This is one of the most scenic set of alpine lakes I have visited....absolutely beautiful!  The lakes are secluded back against the eastern slope of the mountains and there are cabin rentals along the shoreline.  During my visit I saw three deer and lots of ground squirrels near the roadside.  These lakes have great hiking trails and would be a great area to come back with our dogs and my husband, Jeff for a camping trip.  I will definitely come back and visit in the fall leaves turning in color.  Virginia Lakes is popular with anglers, hikers, and campers. A trail beginning at Virginia Lakes serves as a gateway to the Sierra backcountry and Yosemite National Park.
 


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