Here’s the cast of characters (L to R): Bill, Taylor Poodle (aka “Moose Bear”), Mindy Poodle (aka “Little Princess Bear”), and Dale (me). We’re in the Sierras, at South Lake (9,768’).

This was a very dry year, and South Lake is dozens of feet below its normal waterline. More than half of the lakebed is actually exposed.

Here’s what’s left of South Lake. It’s a mere puddle of it’s normal self. Yikes!

Well, we’re not going swimming in South Lake, we’re going backpacking! We all gear up… well, almost all. Mindy, the Little Princess Bear (in the background) wouldn’t carry a pack on a test run. This is actually her first backpacking trip. Moose Bear, on the other hand, is a veteran and looks very smart in her hiking boots and dog pack.

Off we go, starting out along the Bishop Pass trail. The poodles dash off in the lead. The trail here is a veritable super highway!

Mindy looks out over the remains of South Lake.

Bill and Taylor pose at the Chocolate Lakes trail junction. We turn off the main trail here and take this lesser-traveled route.

As we climb, more snow remains from the first storm of the season two weeks ago.

More snow and ice make the trail a bit treacherous on north-facing slopes. In addition, the Forest Service ranked this trail “not recommended for stock.” Hmmm….

Chocolate Mountain (11,682’) comes into view. We’ll be hiking completely around it, starting on the left (Eastern) side.

Mindy enjoys a breather and a cool drink at the lake. She learns quickly to take advantage of those big water bowls!

Bull Lake (10,800’) comes into view. There was virtually no wind the entire trip, so the lakes were glassy calm. The Inconsolable Mountains are on the horizon, with Cloudripper (13,500’) straight ahead and Chocolate Mountain on the right.

We continue our climb away from Bull Lake, still as scenic as our first view of it.

We take one last look at Bull Lake and continue our approach to the first Chocolate Lake.

The glassy reflection shows how calm it is as we look back at Bull Lake. The air temps were in the 50’s during the day and it was delightful for hiking.

Bill looks up the slope to Chocolate Mountain as we skirt the first Chocolate Lake (11,000’, over the bushes on the left).

The trail is fairly level along this chain of Chocolate Lakes (3 in all)… that is, when you can find the trail! It was sometimes hidden under snow.

Trail or no trail, we work our way around the first of the three Chocolate Lakes.

Mindy gets a lesson on boulder hopping as an experienced Taylor looks on.

We reach the second of the Chocolate Lakes, directly opposite Chocolate Mountain.

With short daylight hours (sunset comes at about 6, and the mountains shadow the sun much earlier) it cools off very quickly. We push past the second Chocolate Lake and find a camp between the second and third lakes.

The poodles are always our priority once we find a tent site, and they waste no time burying their faces in their food bowls. “Yummm, dehydrated beef patties!” Did I mention that it got cold? Both poodles appreciate their fashion-forward outfits!

The campsite is just big enough for our 4-person tent. Make that a 2-person and 2-poodle tent, with lots of room to spare. We’re short on daylight (and heat) now, so we get our dinners prepared quickly. Temps are in the low 20’s overnight. [Return to the Chocolate Lakes Backpack Oct 2013 page to continue to Day 2.]