Topa Topa Brewing/ Little Sama Ojai

Fig Curated Living 

Bart’s Books 

Hip Vegan 

What to do in Ojai – Have a Drink at Topa Topa Brewing

On our way to a camping trip at Middle Lion Campground, we stopped for a beer and lunch at Topa Topa Brewing Company. Topa Topa is located at 345 E. Ojai Ave. They also have other locations in Santa Barabara, Ventura, and Camarillo. Topa Topa has both indoor and outdoor seating and they are dog friendly. We each ordered a tasting flight and brought them out to the patio. I was prepared not to like their beers because they have a lot of IPA but I’m pleased to say they have delicious beers.  

We wanted to have lunch before we drove out of town and Little Sama Ojai has a walk-up window inside Topa. I ordered one of their signature dishes the Sama Donburi Rice Bowl. It is Jasmine rice, pickled vegetables, a soy-marinated egg, Sriracha aioli, and your choice of protein. I had mine with Tofu Katsu and I loved the whole bowl it was flavorful and just the right amount for lunch. I highly recommend stopping at Topa Topa Brewing and Little Sama when you are in Ojai.

What to do in Ojai – Shopping at Fig Curated Living  

Fig Curated Living packs a big punch for such a little space. I’m going out on a limb and saying I think it is one of the cutest stores that I have shopped at. They are located at 327 E. Ojai Ave. Look for the turquoise door and you will immediately step into a long open-air hallway of hanging air plants, wind chimes, fun tchotchkes for the garden, pillows, and a plethora of things you need. At the end of the hallway is a small enclosed store where they have cards, paper products, and jewelry. They let dogs shop with their owners and they are extremely friendly. I did a few laps around their displays and made my purchases and I can’t wait to plan my next shopping trip.

Bart’s Books

Bart’s Books is the world’s largest outdoor bookstore. They are located at 302 W Matilija St. Imagine wandering around looking at shelves and shelves of books with the warm sun shining down on you and that is what shopping at Bart’s is like. Their bookshelves are protected from the elements by a series of tin sheeting. The majority of their books are used, but they do have some new ones as well. I could have explored the stacks all day, but unfortunately, they don’t allow dogs so I will have to visit again without Jinx. 

Hip Vegan 

On our way home from camping, we stopped in Ojai for lunch again. This time we stopped at Hip Vegan at 201 N. Montgomery St. We picked the Hip Vegan because they are dog friendly. They allow dogs to come inside and order with their owners. I ordered a Tiger Bowl and it has grilled Tempeh, Tumeric rice, shredded veggie salad with fried shallots, garlic, and peanuts. My bowl was filling and delicious. I’m a sucker for Vietnamese Coffee and theirs doesn’t disappoint. The rich dark coffee dripped into the sweetened condensed milk and it was yummy. We sat outside on the patio and they even have water bowls for the dogs. I’m looking forward to returning to the Hip Vegan and trying their Gunpowder Fries.

A Weekend in Ojai

Our 4 stops in Ojai just barely scratched the surface of all the things to do. Just looking around we saw cute boutiques and kitschy hotels to visit on our next trip. Ojai is the perfect weekend getaway if you live in Southern California and are looking for a small-town relaxed vibe.

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Shoreline Inn 

Nicole, Jinx, and I met our friends at the Shoreline Inn in Cayucos for a New Years’ Eve getaway. The Shoreline Inn is beachfront. All the rooms have views of the ocean and pier. As an added bonus they are pet-friendly. Our room was downstairs with a sliding door that opens onto a grassy area and the beach. We had two Adirondack chairs outside our room to enjoy the view. Inside we had 2 double beds, a coffee maker, a mini-refrigerator, and a microwave. The downstairs rooms are going to be refreshed in the winter of 2022. The rates are pricey, however, the Shoreline Inn is the only beachfront hotel in the area and we loved being able to walk everywhere.

Cayucos is Pet Friendly

Our room at Shoreline Inn allowed dogs. We paid a $40 pet fee and they provided a water bowl for the room, two sheets to cover the beds and a pet towel to dry off those wet paws. There are a few grassy areas with potty bags for late-night potty breaks. On the beach we saw lots of dogs, some were leashed and some were not. Depending on the tide the beach can be wide and there is plenty of room to play ball or fetch sticks. We took Jinx into a few antique stores that welcomed dogs and we sat on a few patios with her as well. A Cayucos getaway is ideal if you want to bring your 4-legged friend with you.

The Beach in Cayucos 

When the tide was low we took long walks on the beach. Jinx chased after sticks and Nicole and I looked for shells and sea glass. I only found one piece of sea glass. Nicole found a few shells, but the rocks were the real stars of the beach. We found small rocks with variegated stripes runny through them. While the tide was out we explored a few tidepools. We saw one big seastar, loads of sea anemones, muscles, and a few crabs. Even though it was a chilly day there were lots of people playing games on the beach or out walking their dogs. 

Polar Bear Dip 

On New Year’s day at noon was the 42nd annual Polar Bear Dip. After eating breakfast we stood on the boardwalk and watched the proceedings. People started to gather on the beach in all sorts of costumes. We saw inflatable dinosaurs, lots of Care Bears, mermaids & mermen, sharks, an entire school of jellyfish, and even a leprechaun. You name it and we saw it. There was a drum circle getting everyone hyped up. Out in the ocean past the wave break was a Coast Guard boat and a few jet skiers in case anyone needed to be rescued. The countdown started and at exactly noon hundreds of revelers dove into the cold Pacific to start off the New Year. This annual event is a fundraiser and the Chamber of Commerce was selling official shirts designed by a local elementary school student. Most people came out of the water just as quickly as they had gone in and soon were on their way to ring in the New Year. 

Coffee in Cayucos

We tried a few different places for coffee during our stay. The first was Bijou Bakery. It is located on the Cass House property, but its address is 222 North Ocean Ave. We ordered at the window and then sat in their newly opened outdoor area. The seating area looks like a beautiful veranda from a Southern home. I had a delicious latte and a lemon scone with a side of whipped French Butter. Both were very good. Nicole had coffee and an almond croissant. I could see the flakes floating off of her croissant so I imagine the chef has a french pastry background. They have quiche and avocado toast on the menu so I’ll have to try that next time. 

On another morning we stopped at Cayucos Coffee. This time instead of coffee we tried Maca Cocoa Jade. This is a hot drink that has Matcha maca, raw cacao, and cacao. It is mixed with milk and a bit of honey. The matcha and cocoa balance each other out and the drink isn’t overly sweet. 

The morning we left Cayucos we stopped on the way home at Top Dog Coffee in Morro Bay. Morro Bay is about 8 miles from Cayucos and we could see the iconic Morro Rock from the beach. Top Dog serves coffee, beer, kombucha, and food. They have an inviting secret garden and they are a coffee shop that gives back. Supporting Veterans and First Responders with PTSD and incarcerated men from the local prison. In addition to all of that, they allow dogs on their patio I had a delicious caramel latte and Nicole had an Ube IPA there.

Brunch in Cayucos

On New Year’s Day, we ate at Hidden Kitchen for brunch. We ordered at their take-out window and then sat on their beachfront patio because they allow dogs outside. We ordered coffee and the San Luis Sunrise which is free-range eggs, bacon ends, avocado, and HK sauce all served atop a blue-corn waffle. The coffee is self-serve and they have a collection of mismatched cups. We picked a table on the patio and a waiter brought out our food when it was ready. The waffle was savory and the egg and avocado were tasty, however, I wasn’t prepared for the amount of bacon ends they put on it. I would eat at Hidden Kitchen again, but I would try something different. 

Gas Station Tacos  

Hands down the best food that we had on our entire trip came from a corner of a gas station at Cayucos Gas Mini Mart. The sign painted on the building says Cayucos “Deli Mexican Food Hamburger & Bakery.” We found them on Yelp and we were warned they close at 5:00 p.m. Nicole and I walked over around 4:30 p.m. and ordered our food to go. I got a chicken burrito and Nicole tried their street tacos. We brought our dinner back to the beach and watched the sunset while we ate. The burrito is huge! Nicole said the tacos were amazing and their hot sauce is so good with the red being really spicy. We liked our dinner so much that we also ordered food from there on New Year’s Eve I had chicken nachos and Nicole had street tacos for a second time. Both nights our food was fresh, hot, tasty and really good. I highly recommend Cayucos Deli.

Warm Cookies in Cayucos

Brown Butter Cookie Company’s flagship store is located in Cayucos. They are open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. We visited during COVID so they have a walk-up window and they have the ordering all set up to be contactless. Nicole and I decided we should try their namesake cookie first. We ordered a 3 pack of the original Brown Butter Sea Salt Cookie for $4.00 and we tried two of the Classic Cookies in lemon and chocolate chunk. The Classic Cookies are $2.75 each. Both Nicole and I decided we like the classic cookies better than the original. We went back the next day and tried Ginger Molasses and that was my favorite flavor that we tried.

A Fun Getaway

Nicole and I had a relaxing time in Cayucos. There are some cute antique shops, some fantastic Mexican food, and plenty of beach time. If you are looking for a dog-friendly beach getaway Cayucos might your ideal destination.

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Two things dominate the iconic view when you are downtown. The first is Morro Rock which resides in the middle of the bay and the second is the smokestacks from an old power plant. The plant stopped operation in 2014 and the city just voted to permanently remove the smokestacks. 

Walking the Embarcardaro in Morro Bay

We arrived in Morro Bay around 11:00 am on a Sunday morning and we headed towards the Embarcadero. It was early enough that we were able to find plenty of free street parking with a 3-hour time limit. It was a little too early for lunch so we took a walk. We poked our heads in a few stores. The highlight was The Garden Gallery. They have an amazing collection of succulents and native plants along with unique pottery for sale.

 Along the Embarcadero there is also public access to the waterfront. We could hear the deep barking of elephant seals so we headed to the waterfront to look for them. They were basking on a floating dock anchored out in the bay. While we were watching the elephant seals we also noticed otters going back and forth. They looked like they were hard at work, maybe looking for lunch. 

Lunch in Morro Bay

For lunch, we got in line at Giovanni’s Fish Market. It’s located directly on the wharf at 1001 Front St. You order at the window and they give you a buzzer to come collect your food when it’s ready. I checked in with Yelp and got a complimentary cup of clam chowder and I ordered the halibut & chips with an 805 ale. Nicole ordered 6 oysters on the half shell, a Bluefin Wasabi Sando, and an 805. The patio seating is waterfront and part of it is covered with a net to keep out the seagulls. We sat at a picnic table with an umbrella and took our chances with gulls trying to steal my chips. The food was excellent. Everything was hot and fresh and the view was outstanding. 

Coffee for a Cause

After lunch, we walked up a tiny hill to the actual downtown of Morro Bay to Top Dog Coffee Bar. We had our dog Jinx with us so we were interested in supporting dog-friendly businesses. Top Dog serves coffee and food, but they also have beers and kombucha on tap. They have an amazing secret garden in the back where you can enjoy your drinks and food. The garden has little nooks with comfy furniture to sit on and they have water bowls set out for the dogs. 

This coffee shop is all about giving back. Inmates make art for proceeds to support K9 rescue programs. Portions of coffee sales go to support therapy dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD. I had a caramel latte and Nicole tried Ube IPA. Her beer was an amazing violet color. While we were enjoying our drinks the owner came out to talk about the IPA and his rescue dogs. He brought us out a sample of a blood orange beer he had on tap and it was really good. Top Dog is a very welcoming place to hang out with or without a dog.

Outdoor Activities

Nicole and I didn’t get a chance to partake in any outdoor activities but we saw plenty of options for our next visit. On the Embarcadero we saw boats advertising whale and dolphin viewing trips. There are places to rent kayaks or stand-up paddle boards and we saw a few people kayaking through the bay. Furthermore, Alltrails lists some local hiking trails or you can explore Morro Rock.

Planning a Future Trip to Morro Bay

Because Morro Bay has beautiful weather, yummy food, and drink, and all kinds of different activities I will definitely be going back. Its relativity close proximity to Los Angeles makes it a fun weekend destination.

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The history of Mono Lake

Mono Lake is estimated to be between 1 and 3 million years old. The lake is part of the Mono Basin and it was formed by the same geological process as the Sierras. A pulling and pushing of the earth’s surface. The hills on the north, south, and east of the basin are all of volcanic origins. The Mono Craters erupted 700 years ago creating the youngest volcanic chain in North America. The area remains active. You can see some of this activity yourself in the many hot springs that are in the area and there have been numerous swarms of earthquakes in the basin.

Mono Lake’s Famous Tufas

The alien-looking towers sticking out of the lake are called Tufas. They are basically limestone. The tufa forms when the water from underground hot springs that is rich in calcium meets with the carbonates in the lake water and this creates limestone. The larger Tufas that we see today are a result of the lake level dropping dramatically in the ’70s when Los Angeles diverted water away from the Mono Lake Basin. Lake levels dropped and it endangered the ecosystem of the lake.

Mono Lake is for Bird Lovers

The Mono Lake Basin is home to over 300 species of birds and during certain months there are over 1 million birds hanging out at the lake. These birds make a pit stop at the lake during their migration. The lake provides a buffet of black flies and brine shrimp. The Tufas and the little islands provide ideal nesting grounds for many birds. Most Southern California Sea Gulls hatch from nests at Mono Lake.

Swimming in Mono Lake

Mono Lake is “salty.” The lake has no outlet and it is estimated that 280 million tons of dissolved salt is in the lake. This makes the lake 2-3 times saltier than the ocean. You can swim in the lake and the water will make you buoyant similar to swimming in the Great Salt Lake or in the ocean. Folklore says that a swim in the lake will cure almost anything. Beware of swimming if you have any cuts on your body because it will sting. If you want to take a dip you should head to Navy Beach for the shortest walk to the water.

Dogs at Mono Lake

Dogs are allowed in most areas of Mono Lake as long as they are on a leash and you clean up after them. They are not allowed on the boardwalks, the county parks, or the north shore area.

Visiting Mono Lake

There is an amazing visitor center at Mono Lake that provides some history of the lake and the Mono Lake Basin area. It’s best to check the website before your visit to see if any areas are closed due to mating birds.

Whoa Nellie Deli

After visiting Mono Lake Whoa Nellie Deli is the perfect place to stop and get some lunch or dinner. Whoa Nellie deli is in the Mobil Gas Station parking lot on the corner of US-395 and Tioga Pass (State Route 120) in the city of Lee Vining. One of their specialties is fish tacos. I know fish tacos in a gas station could be risky, but trust me these are delicious. Whoa Nellie also serves pizza, burgers, salads, margaritas, and local beer on tap. If you eat outside at one of their picnic tables you can also enjoy a view of Mono Lake.

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Where to Enter Donner Tunnels

There are a few places to start this hike. We decided to start closest to tunnel 6. The day we went to the Donner Tunnels we encountered multiple road closures due to construction. We were finally able to circle back to Donner Pass Road (Old Highway 40) and we parked in the Sugar Bowl dirt parking lot. The entrance to tunnel 6 is a short walk through this parking lot.

The History of The Donner Tunnels

In the late 1800s, the Central Pacific Company wanted to extend their railway lines from Sacramento, California to Ogden, Utah and that meant that they would have to cross Donner Pass. CPC employed Chinese immigrants to dig tunnel #6 by hand. One man would hold a drill bit while two others hit the bit with a sledgehammer. They would continue hammering until their hole was big enough for explosives. Using this method the men only averaged 14 inches of progress a day. CPC completed the tunnel in a year and a half and the first trains were able to pass in 1867. Trains ran on this route for 125 years until 1993 when the route was changed and the railroad tracks were taken out of the tunnel.

Tunnel #6

Tunnel #6 is the most impressive of all the historic tunnels. It is the longest at 1,600 feet. When I looked up at the top and at the sides, I could see the solid granite. It is amazing to think that men had basically carved out this tunnel by hand. As soon as I walked inside the tunnel I couldn’t believe how cool it was. It was at least 20 degrees cooler than outside. Although it was the middle of August and the snow had long since melted we had to watch where we were walking, because of all the standing water throughout the tunnel.

Walking Through the Historic Donner Tunnels

Not all of the tunnels are pitch black. Some of the tunnels have slits on the walls near the top and these let in light. These slits were my favorite part of all the tunnels. The lighting is amazing as it bounces through the slits and lights up the corridor.

There are also a few spots where the wall is open either via a rolled-up door or a broken wall. Step back out into the light and you will have a great view of Donner Lake.

I Was Scared in the Donner Tunnel

I thought I knew what to expect in the tunnels, but I was unprepared for the bats, rats, and pitch black. We brought flashlights, but when we were in the middle of tunnel #6 it was pitch black even with the flashlights on. The bats never bothered us, but we could hear them. The rats freaked me out. I lost my cool when I almost stepped on a dead rat that was as large as a small house cat. At one point we heard a noise that at first sounded like the wind and then it got louder and louder until it sounded like a train coming through the tunnel. I looked down to make sure there were no train tracks and then I had visions of a ghost train. It turned out it was a truck from the railway company driving through the tunnel.

Graffiti

Like it or not there is plenty of graffiti in the tunnels. For the most part, the graffiti is all contained on the inside of the tunnels and is not spilling out into the surrounding areas. Some of the graffiti looks like art and some look like just a normal tag. I’ll leave it up to you if you think it belongs here or not.

Tips to Help You Enjoy the Donner Tunnels

• Bring a sweater or jacket even in the summer. It’s much cooler inside the tunnels.
• Wear good shoes. You will be walking on lots of uneven gravel.
• Wear closed-toe shoes. Even in summer there is standing water inside the tunnel. I wouldn’t want that water on my feet.
• Bring a big flashlight. The tunnels are dark!
• The tunnels can be dangerous in the winter and spring because of falling icicles.
• Bring a friend because only the brave would want to do this hike alone.

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Visiting Bodie

Dylan and I went to Bodie one afternoon in July. We were prepared for it to be hot, however, even though it was extremely bright the temperature was only in the low 80s. We had Jinx with us and she was able to walk around on all the dirt trails without her paws getting too hot. When we paid our entrance fee the ranger offered us a walking guide of the park for $2. We purchased the guide and we used it to take a walking tour of Bodie.

The History of Bodie

Gold was first found in Bodie in 1859 by W.S. Bodey. Mining was slow in Bodie until 1875 when a mine collapsed and exposed a large load of gold ore. Bodie continued growing. 1877-1881 were Bodie’s peak years with its largest population. Historians estimate that there were between 7,000 and 8,000 full-time residences. Mining continued in Bodie until 1942 and in 1962 California State Parks purchased the town to preserve it. Currently, about 5% of all the buildings are still standing.

Bodie’s Only Standing Church

There is only one church left standing in Bodie. It is a Methodist Church that was built in 1882. There was a Catholic Church also built-in 1882, but unfortunately, it burned down in 1928. I was able to walk up the stairs and take a peek inside. All things considered, it looks like it’s still in good shape. The pews and an organ are still inside along with a whole lot of dust.

Living In Bodie

J.S. Cain was the last major landowner in Bodie. When he left Bodie he hired caretakers to watch over the town and prevent looting. His house is still standing on the corner of Green and Park Street. During Bodie’s boom years there were 30 different mines, saloons, laundry services, boarding houses, and one school.

Bodie’s Schoolhouse

Bodie’s original schoolhouse was burned down by a student. After the fire, the school moved to the Bon Ton Lodging House. During its peak, there were 615 students enrolled. The school was used until 1942. Take a peek through the windows and you will see chalkboards, maps, and desks.

Bodie Today

The 5% of the remaining buildings give a good glimpse into Bodie’s past. There are remains of the jail, post office, fire department, and a few general stores. Walking down the dirt streets looking at the old buildings it was easy to pretend we were in an old western movie.

Whoa Nellie Deli

After leaving Bodie we drove to Lee Vining to eat at a gas station. Even though people say they are eating gas station food Whoa, Nellie Deli isn’t really in a gas station, but it shares a parking lot with a Mobile Gas Station. I had stopped at Whoa Nellie Deli with Sally on our way home from backpacking in Yosemite. Their food is delicious. Because of COVID, seating inside the restaurant is closed, but there is plenty of seating outside at picnic tables on the lawn. We ordered their famous fish tacos and June Lake Brown Ale, but because we had Jinx with us we took our food to go and we ate across the street on the grass with a view of Mono Lake. It was the perfect ending to a fun day.

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Plan to Arrive at Red Rock Early

Check the visitor information page for their hours. We arrived at the entrance at 9:30 a.m. There were only a few cars ahead of us to pay. There was a $15 entrance fee. We stopped at the visitor’s center and looked around. Instead of hiking around the visitor’s center, we decided to head to the Calico Tank hike. After entering the park the road is 13 miles one-way loop. When we arrived at the parking lot for Calico Tank it was completely full at 10:00 a.m. I drove around and around the loop, but nobody was leaving. I finally decided to drive down the road and park off the roadway and hope I didn’t come back and find a ticket.

Wildlife at Red Rock Canyon

We hoped to see some wildlife during our visit to Red Rock Canyon, but we only saw a few lizards. There are signs warning drivers to slow down for the wild tortoise, but since we visited in January they were probably still hibernating. We lept our eyes peeled for wild burros, but we didn’t see them either.

Hiking to Calico Tanks

The park trail map rates the hike to Calico Tanks as Strenuous. From the parking lot to the tank is a little over 2 miles roundtrip. Even though the parking lot was full there are other hikes in the area and lots of people practicing rock climbing. The first part of the hike follows an actual path. There weren’t that many people on the trail when we first started. The weather in January was sunny and comfortable. I wouldn’t want to do this hike if it was hot outside, because there is little to no shade. After about 1/2 mile the trail becomes less clear cut and the hike becomes “choose your own adventure.” There are places where you can hop from rock to rock.

Calico Tanks

There are a few signs along the way to let you know that you are still going the right way. Basically, you are heading up through a small canyon. The actual Calico Tank is a natural holding pool for water. I’ve heard that the water dries up in the warmer months. We made it to the tank in a little over an hour with plenty of time for exploring and taking pictures. After the tanks, you want to continue going up and you will be rewarded with an amazing view of the Las Vegas strip and valley. We took in the view and took lots of pictures.

Hiking Down From Calico Tanks

Coming down was a little dicey. The trail had become “The Disneyland of the Desert.” I couldn’t believe how many people were on the trail on the way down. A lot of the trail is on rocks that have a thin coating of sand on them and there were way too many people in Vans or Converse that were sliding all over. We saw some people scooting down on their butts in order to avoid falling. We made it down and walked back to our car. The parking lot was still full on our way out.

Petroglyph Wall

We continued driving on the scenic one-way loop. We drove to the parking lot for the Petroglyph Wall. Depending on where you can find a parking place the walk to the Petroglyph wall is very short. We walked across a wash and headed towards a cliff. The Petroglyphs are on the face of the cliff. The Petroglyphs are estimated to be 800 years old. After reading the sign and taking pictures we walked back to the car. We got a cooler out of the car and had a picnic at the Willow Springs picnic area. While we were eating the clouds rolled in and we started to get cold. We finished the scenic loop and decided we were done for the day.

A Reason For Another Visit

We only did two hikes in Red Rocks. I would love to go back and visit, but preferably on a weekday when it is a little less crowded. We saw several groups drive by in open-air 3-wheeled vehicles. Each car held 2 passengers and they all looked like they were having a good time. I would also like to come back and look around for some wildlife. All in all, we had a good visit and this was definitely a side of Las Vegas that I had never seen before.

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Breakfast on the Road

We left the Los Angeles area at 5 a.m. Our first stop was at Great Basin Bakery in Bishop. Great Basin Bakery is a small bakery that bakes delicious, bread, cookies, and pastries and serves breakfast and lunch. If you want to avoid the busses full of tourists at Schat’s Bakery, then Great Basin is your place. I ordered two breakfast bagels with eggs, coffee, and two giant cowboy cookies to go. I’ve had both breakfast and lunch at Great Basin and both times everything I’ve ordered has been delicious.

Hiking at Little Lakes Valley

After leaving the bakery we continued driving to Little Lakes Valley Trail. The exit is off of 395 at Tom’s Place Resort. After passing Tom’s Place you drive on Rock Creek Rd to Mosquito Flat Trailhead. In the summer I backpacked all over Little Lakes Valley, but this day we were there for a day hike. We hiked into Heart Lake. Dylan spent the morning fishing in the beautiful Alpine Lake and I spent the morning reading. In the afternoon we hung up our hammocks and ate our cowboy cookies and took a little nap. When the wind picked up and we were frozen we hiked back down to the car and drove to June Lake.

June Lake Motel

We had reservations at June Lake Motel. Our room had 2 beds and a small kitchen. During the night a vehicle struck a power transformer close to the Nevada border, but the entire area lost power. We woke up with no power, but the owner of the motel used her generator to make coffee and tea for all the guests. She also told us that they had lanterns for us if the power didn’t come back on before nightfall. I highly recommend the June Lake motel and I will definitely stay there again next time I’m at June Lake.

The first night we were starving after all of our hiking and skipping lunch. We walked from our motel to The Tiger Bar. It is the quintessential small-town bar. They serve bar drinks, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was packed when we arrived. They had the Dodger playoff game on the television and people were shooting pool. We finally got a table. We ordered a couple of beers a burger and a sandwich. The food was good and the servers were friendly.

Saturday morning when we woke up to no power we walked around the town and there was nowhere open to serve breakfast. The hotel owner told us that we should be able to get a sandwich at the June Lake Junction Cafe. She said that they run on a generator. We drove over there and unfortunately they were not serving any food. We bought some gas station snacks for breakfast and we learned an important lesson. Always have cash. They couldn’t process any payments except for cash and there were cars parked outside at the gas pumps and unfortunately, they don’t work without power.

Hiking to Parker Lake

We had a full tank of gas so we headed out to hike to Parker Lake. The trailhead to Parker Lake is located at the end of the June Lake Loop. After the turn off there is a 2-mile dirt road, that is passable with a normal car. The trail is 3.6 miles out and back. The first mile is the steepest part and then it levels out. The trail is suitable for all levels. The trail starts in the sagebrush and then heads into a nook in the canyon. We were there in October and we walked through a grove of Aspens that was changing colors. After the Aspens, the trail runs parallel to a stream and then straight into a forest. The payoff of the hike is the lake. Parker Lake is on the backside of Yosemite and the views are jaw-dropping.

We spent the day fishing and exploring. There were a few people that were camping at the lake. There are no bathrooms and fires are not permitted at the lake. At the end of the day, we hiked back down. We were treated to great views of Mono Lake off in the distance.

Dinner at June Pie Pizza Co.

We drove back to the hotel through the June Lake Loop. We got to look at the other lakes in the loop and the fall foliage that was just starting to turn golden. After driving around all the lakes we parked at our hotel and walked over to T-Bar Social Club. We were following the signs for June Pie Pizza Co. The pizza place is downstairs inside the Social Club. We sat at a table for two and ordered a local hard cider and a beer that were both on tap and a large Margherita Pizza. Our expectations were not high for the pizza and fortunately, we were 100% wrong. That was some of the best pizza that we have ever had. The crust was thin and it was cooked perfectly. It tasted like authentic New York Pizza.

Breakfast To Go

Sunday morning I woke up and took a walk around the village. All the stores had pumpkins sitting out front and looked very festive. I walked over to The Lift to get some breakfast to go. I wanted to pick up 2 breakfast burritos that they usually have in the case, but even though it was only 8:30 a.m. they were already sold out. Instead, I order 2 breakfast sandwiches and a latte. I waited 30 minutes for my sandwiches, but they were tasty when we ate them, and everyone that works at the Lift was very nice.

Time to Head Out

We had an amazing time in the June Lake area and I can’t wait to return. The village is quaint with amazing scenery, comfy accommodations, and a few good restaurants. I’m looking forward to planning my next trip to June Lake.

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Making Reservation

Little Lakes Valley is a chain of lakes that were carved by a glacier. Today the area is used by hikers, backpackers, and fishermen. Permits are required for all backpacking trips and can be reserved up to 6 months in advance at Recreation.Gov. Day hikers and fishermen do not require a permit.

The Beginning of The Trail

In July my friend and I set off for a backpacking trip from Mosquito Flat to Gem Lake. The hike is considered moderately strenuous and I think it is mostly because of the elevation. The trail starts at 10,000 feet. We spent the first night at the backpacker’s camp at the beginning of the trail. The mosquitos were relentless. The trailhead definitely lived up to its name. The next morning we loaded up our backpacks and started up the trail to Gem Lake. Our backpacks were extra heavy because of the required bear cans. There are no bear boxes once you start up the trail. On the way up you are walking alongside a river. We went in 2019 and that was a high snow year. We walked through ankle-deep water on parts of the trail and we were thankful that we wore waterproof boots.

Balancing On A Log

We made it past Box Lake and then we had a water crossing that we were uncomfortable with. It is hard to balance on wet logs with a 35-pound backpack on your back. Somehow we eventually made it across the rushing water, but Sally got really wet.

Picking The Perfect Camp Site

At Long Lake, we met a couple that said it was not a good idea to head to Gem Lake because there was too much snow. We chose to hike around Long Lake until we found the perfect place to set up our tents for the night. The view of the lake is awe-inspiring. We did some exploring and filtered water and generally just soaked in the beauty. Fires are not allowed anywhere in the Little Lakes Valley, but we were able to use our stoves for cooking. We took our stoves down to the shore of the lake and made our dinner and ate watching the fish jump in the lake.

Mosquitoes Are Not My Friend

Unfortunately, by 6 pm we were in our tents with nothing to do but read. The mosquitoes at Little Lakes Valley are a force to be reckoned with and no amount of Deet would keep them away.

The next morning we took our daypacks and headed off for Chickenfoot and Gem Lakes. We made it to Chickenfoot without any problems. Getting to Gem was a lot harder. We climbed through giant mounds of snow and it was hard to see the trail.

Using Microspikes

Sally gouged her leg on a sharp branch and we almost gave up after that. While she sat down and bandage up her leg I scouted around looking for the trail. I eventually found it. We made our way to Gem Lake and it was beautiful.

Gem Lake

For the longest time, we were the only two people there. The weather was nice. The wildflowers were in full bloom and the best part is all the snow was keeping the mosquitoes away. After a beautiful afternoon, we headed back to our tents at Long Lake.

Long Lake

After staying at Long Lake we packed up and headed back to Heart Lake. It is a pretty alpine lake with views of Bear Creek Spire as its backdrop. We set up our tents on a hill overlooking the lake. We spent the rest of the day hiking and exploring.

The End Of Our Trip

The next morning we packed up and hiked back out to our car. This backpacking trip was Plan C for us. 2019 was just a high snow year and our Plans A & B were not safe so early in the year. Although this was plan C we had a great time. Little Lake Valley is perfect for day hikes or extended backpacking trips. We saw a lot of people in the daytime and then by late afternoon it would just be the two of us. I’m sure there were other people camping around the lakes, but we never saw anyone after 4 p.m. Other than the mosquitoes (that are no joke) it is the perfect place for a little getaway.

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We were in awe, it was truly breathtaking. After lots of coffee and a breakfast of an almost frozen protein bar, we headed up Whitney Portal Road to hike 3 miles to Lone Pine Lake.

Whitney Portal Trail

We started our hike were hikers that summit Mt. Whitney start and we foolishly thought that this hike would not be too tough considering we were only going a little over 3 miles each way. Wrong. We underestimated the effects of hiking at such a high altitude. The entire 3 miles were uphill and the entire time it felt like I was trying to suck air through a straw. We had to stop many times to catch our breath and to peel off layers of clothing because although it was cold outside we were working hard.

Hiking in Snow and Ice

There were a few sketchy parts where we had to walk very carefully because the entire path was ice. One of the craziest parts was the iconic log bridge that we had to cross. We got halfway across and realized that there was ice on top of the log. I was sure that I was going to slip on the ice and fall into the frigid water.

Lone Pine Lake

We stopped to talk to some fellow hikers and then headed down to the lake. The lake is beautiful, but it is very different looking from the Big Pine Lakes. The entire lake was in the shade, even though it was close to 11:00 a.m.

We did not have a thermometer, but it was the kind of cold that makes your skin sting. I boulder hopped around the lake looking for a camera angle that showed a little more light.

We took pictures and tried to eat a protein bar, but they were frozen solid. We decided it was too cold to hang around. Lone Pine Lake is as far up the Whitney Portal as you can go without a permit, so this was the end of the road for us. We headed back down. Thankfully, the sun had started to warm up the trail and melt some of the ice that was on it. We came down much faster than we had hiked up.

Hiking Down Whitney Portal

When we got to the bottom we decided that we would go to Alabama Hills Cafe once more. We had some delicious sandwiches and even though it was warm in town we were still frozen from that hike. On the way out of town, we stopped at the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine to buy some stickers. While we were there I bought a book about the JMT (John Muir Trail.) A seed has been planted and Sally and I are considering doing either the JMT or the High Sierra Trail this summer. We are going to apply for permits and wait and see how much snow the Sierras receive this winter. Luckily, we had an easy 3 1/2 hour drive home to a nice warm shower and a comfy bed.

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