Sierra Nevada - Hoover Wilderness - Green Lake/East Lake

On Jul 3-5, 1982 I backpacked into the Green Lake area of the Hoover Wilderness. Drove to the Green Lake trailhead the night before - it was loaded with campers but I found a parking place in the trailhead parking lot and sacked out.

Hit the trail early and hiked up to Green Lake on clear trail. Some avalanche debris had been cleared just below the lake. Had lunch just below the lake and then headed up the slope for East Lake. There was a fair amount of snow on the trail in spots but not any problem.

At the first creek crossing the water was running fast so I looked for a way above to cross. Finally waded at the actual trail crossing and continued up the nice trail. Soon found that the trail re-crossed the creek but now the snow was almost total and I crossed on a snow bridge.

Climbed mostly on snow to the lake and crossed the outlet at the dam. Proceeded on almost continuous snow (except for sunny spots) to about the middle of the lake where I found a place to camp as the snow cover became almost 100%. The lake was about 2/3 frozen and there was a cold breeze.

East Lake - Hoover Wilderness 1982

The next morning I decided to retreat to Green Lake and after lunch headed up the north side on an old unmarked trail which lead to an old mining operation. It may have been a road at one time. Found a beautiful sunny campsite just below the snow line which was about 9500 feet. Enjoyed some sun before supper.

East Lake - Hoover Wilderness 1982

Green Creek below East Lake - Hoover Wilderness 1982

Looking toward Virginia Pass over Green Lake - Hoover Wilderness 1982

Looking toward Pass west of Green Lake - Hoover Wilderness 1982

View east over Green Lake - Hoover Wilderness 1982

West Lake cascade over Green Lake - Hoover Wilderness 1982

Toward Virginia Pass west of Green Lake - Hoover Wilderness 1982

After a leisurely morning I headed out for home. The weather was better and I enjoyed the weekend. Used my light Gore-Tex trail boots for the first time on an overnight and liked them.

Green Lake-East Lake route map - Hoover Wilderness 1982