2026-04: Convict Lake

Milestones:

•  40th time camping in 40 months (SHOW ON MAP)
• 2nd time camping in snow/ice (SHOW 1ST)
•  1st time camping in Mono County
• Huell Howser starts at Convict Lake and goes on to Hot Creek.

This trip put me at my limits. The day I arrived, the wind was blowing 20mph with gusts to 30mph. To make my dinner, I had to restart my fire 5 times because it blew out. That night the wind made the “feels like” temperature drop to 22F. The next night had almost no wind, but it snowed while I was making dinner. It snowed lightly for several hours, and the humidity made it “feel like” 20F. I could easily tell that the second night was colder than the first (END OF COMPLAINING).

The thing is… everyone has their limits. I get that. But, what happens when your limits change? How are you supposed to feel when you no longer have the same enthusiasm to climb every hill? Henry David Thoreau wrote:

“None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm”

I handled the wind, cold, and snow/ice. But, I didn’t just run into this adversity with all my heart. I’m feeling 64.

The Drive Up

This is my second time camping along US Highway 395 along the Eastern Sierra Mountains. I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t brag about how spectacular this area is. Just look!!!! These mountains don’t know how to take a bad picture.

Arrival

Originally named Monte Diablo, the lake was renamed after a September 1871 incident where a posse trapped escaped convicts from Carson City, Nevada.

This ranks as the most beautiful sight from my tent on any camping trip I’ve ever taken. The peak to the right of the tree is Laural Mountain.

The 12,000-foot peak to the left of the tree is Mt Morrison, and it’s named after Robert Morrison, a posse member killed in the shootout.

Convict Lake fishing season begins one hour before sunrise on that last Saturday in April (often called “Fishmas”). Well, I arrived the day after Fishmas and the campground was teaming with…. fishermen.

Dinner

I brought Dolmas for a snack, and this time I had plans to make “Jiffy Pop” popcorn. The Dolmas were great.

Unfortunately, the wind made it hard to keep my fire lit. So, the popcorn turned out bad. I burned some, popped some and some went unpopped. The burnt popcorn ruined the taste of the whole thing. I will try making campfire popcorn again, under better circumstances.

Good thing I brought baked potatoes and bratwurst.

Failed Excursion

On my first full-day, I wanted to go visit the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest which was only 75 miles away. Bristlecone Pines (found east of the Sierras) are among the longest-lived life forms on Earth. The oldest of this species is more than 4,800 years old, making it the oldest known individual of any species.

I was 10 miles away when I arrived at the entrance to the road leading to the Visitor’s Center. 2 things I didn’t realize: (1) the visitor’s center is at 10,000 ft elevation and (2) it had already started snowing.

I did exactly what the sign said. I proceeded at my own risk.

I was only 4 miles away from my destination, but the road was covered in 2 inches of snow. I was at 8,600 ft but I still had another 1,400 ft left to climb. The snow was accumulating. I found this roadway intersection that gave me a flat spot to turn around. I lived 7 years in Boulder, Colorado. So I knew how to drive on icey roads. But, I didn’t have snow tires, studs, or chains. I needed to go back.

On the way down the mountain, I passed a family in a big pickup truck. We rolled down our windows and talked for a bit. He said he was headed to the same place I was, but his tires started slipping. He was afraid to keep going, and was turning around when I passed by.

I drove slooooowly down the mountain and went back to my campsite. I had a glass of wine and relaxed. This time I made the wise choice.

Back at Convict Lake, I woke up the next morning with ice covering everything. I made coffee and enjoyed the stunning scenery.

It was a good trip. I did everything I set out to accomplish, except seeing those pesky Bristlecone pines. I will go back and see them on another adventure.

Post-Script

I said, at the beginning of this trip, that I was worried about a loss of enthusiasm for suffering. Today, I realized that “enthusiasm” was never the magical ingredient that made it possible for me to go camping. It was ME all along. My essence makes me endure hardship, take risks and live life. I may lose some (or all) of my enthusiasm, but if I choose to camp… then the decision has been made, and I will follow-through.

Life is definitely hard… but it’s not mysterious. If I choose to camp; then that’s it. Enthusiasm didn’t get me here, and lacking it won’t finish me. My “essential being” will decide what finishes me… not how I feel one day, or another.