Bridgeport California - Twin Lakes and the Ghost Town of Bodie

 It has been an incredible three months since our Great Northern Adventure back in June.  Incredible for many reasons, the joys we find with our children, their spouses and adventures and the newest adventure we began back in April of being Grandparents.  Beginning in July we began a thrilling quest of watching our Granddaughter three days a week.  She was just a bit over 2-months and on October 7, the day of her first airline flight to Washington and Idaho, at a bit over 5-months, Kimble and I decided to do a little hiking adventure just about 120 miles south of Reno.  Our destination would be a cabin at the west end of Upper Twin Lake just about 15-miles southwest of Bridgeport, CA.  

We arrived about noon and got squared away for a hike up the Robinson Creek Trail to Barney Lake; four miles up and 1100 feet of elevation.  

Entering the Hoover Wilderness area - named after President Herbert Hoover-31st

The beauty that followed us throughout the hike to Barney Lake

Barney Lake, elevation 8258'/2517m

Hiking down about 3 miles from Upper Twin Lake (center)

There is an interesting story for me about this area as in 2010, my hiking buddy Steve and I set out at 6 am on a July morning to hike up Horse Creek Canyon to climb the Matterhorn Peak in the Hoover Wilderness (Sierra Nevada Mountain Range).  

2010 image of the Matterhorn Peak (just about center)

Here is the story, 22 hours later, and long after we summited, we made it back to our vehicle in the parking area of Upper Twin Lake.  Why???  Great question.  We decided to hike down the backside and utilize a trail emanating from Burro Pass along part of the Pacific Crest Trail, an easier grade down but 15 plus miles of which we did not plan.  We hiked through the night with only an iPhone for a flashlight!  Stupid but a memory just the same.  Thankfully about 2am, the full moon rose and our way out was lit.  That was the last big hike we did in 2010!  

2021 image of the Matterhorn Peak (left of center)

After a beautiful day and 3.5 hours of hiking, we got back to our cabin, fixed dinner and had a visitor...

This little guy would have come in if we would have let it.  The temptation to feed and coddle is great but as policy dictates, we restrained ourselves but did get in a few gentile touches and definitely made a friend.  

Waking up the next morning, we were greeted with rains until about 3pm with snow on the upper areas we hiked just 24 hours earlier.

Compare this to the second image of this blog

Matterhorn just about dead center - 12,285' / 3744m

Saturday was our day to visit the Ghost Town of Bodie - Bodie State Park.  We checked out about 0930 and the temp outside was about 37f / 3c.  Burr.  [Link for Bodie State Park]

A glorious cold day!  We bought the $3.00 self-guided tour and hit all 50+ sites.  This place is really cool and if you are ever looking for about a 6 mile walk (that is just around this little ghost town) do it!  We only stopped for a quick snack and then ended our visit after viewing every single headstone in the Cemetery; Kimble absolutely loves these historical sites.  So do I but mostly I enjoy her joy and excitement.  The inner child in her is infectious and creates a really fun time - Thanks my love!  

That's it.  The End...

Enjoy life and adventure often.  

Martin