Backpacking to Virginia Lake Hiking Duck Pass Labor Day 2023 Mammoth Lakes Day 1

Backpacking to Virginia Lakes via the Duck Lake Pass. It's a quick hike over Duck Pass into some beautiful country outside of Mammoth Lakes, Ca. Virginia Lake is the site of the state record Golden Trout caught in 1952. It is in the John Muir Wilderness along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

[@michaelb1761]

I was surprised to hear how much elevation gain there is from the trailhead to the pass; it didn't feel difficult at all to me either. So beautiful up there; I really need to get back and spend a week or two up there, doing some fishing and exploring.

[@highcountrychronicles]

Yeah, I think I said 3,500 but that is when when I still thought it was downhill to the lake. LOL. The total is more like 3,700 with just under 2K to the pass. I probably should corrected that.

[@ervinslens]

What a beautiful trail my friend, rocky part of the trail is simply stunning! This was enjoyable 👏👏

[@highcountrychronicles]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@benshank1086]

I really enjoy watching your videos, Jim, and seeing all of the beautiful country out there. So much different than the Appalachians from back here in the East.

[@highcountrychronicles]

@@benshank1086 Thank you! And thanks for watching! I do miss the Appalachians!

[@thebeartoothflyfisher]

My first extended backpacking trip, 40 years ago, up over Duck Pass...past Purple and Virginia....and camped at Tully Hole along Fish Creek. We fished up the creek to the Lee/Cecil Lake trail. It was June and a narrow section of the trail, around Duck Lake was packed with snow which gave way and sent me sliding down towards the rock cliff above the lake. A year later, we returned and camped at Purple. The views of Cascade Valley and the Silver Divide as you hike around the shoulder towards Purple is one of the most scenic pieces of trail anywhere. As much as I love hiking and fishing the northern Rockies; I've dreamed of a return trip here....maybe fishing the Ram Lakes Basin....

[@highcountrychronicles]

Nice. This was originally planned as a similar trip. Camp at Virginia. Fish Tully Hole and Purple and lakes above. Definitely need to go back!

[@rodoutdoors]

Wow that looks awesome there. Another trip to add to the list. The wind looked a bit nuts.

[@highcountrychronicles]

Yeah it was nuts, wait until you see day 2. LOL.

[@tortoisewhisperer1580]

Duck Lake Pass was my first ever Sierra backpack trip, I think around 1970 I was 16 years old. My bro-in-law who was a Navy E-2 pilot in Vietnam took me up and over we camped at Duck Lake 1 night and then Pika Lake 1 night before exiting. My first ever back pack I recall we camped in the area which is now apparently a 'no camping' area at the far end of Duck lake where the lae drained into a small stream downward, I fished that stream with salmon eggs and caught a bunch of trout, I think a combination of brook and rainbow which we cooked up for dinner. We didn't have tents just tarps and a foam mattress pad. It was August I recall getting pretty cold at night. There was a small boat, maybe a 12-15 foot skiif there as well, just big enough for 2 we rowed it out on Duck but we didn't catch anything from the boat. Then we went over to Pika lake 1 night caught no fish and it was real cold that night. Thanks for sharing the video it definitely brings back some memories for me.

[@highcountrychronicles]

Cool! Sounds like a great trip! Thanks for watching!

[@outsidewithmike]

That's some beautiful wilderness there, stunning views. Hope you guys got some fish, I guess we shall see! Oh, GoPro batteries wear out. I know I have issues with weird shut-offs or corrupt video. I think they lose voltage before they reach 0% and it screws it up. I use an external battery now.

[@highcountrychronicles]

Yeah, I've turned off my wifi on the camera. We'll see if that helps any. Not sure when my next trip will be though. Maybe weekend after next if it's still nice out.

[@DannyRiskit]

Mice are going to come for those CheezIts!

[@highcountrychronicles]

😅 Good thing I got out of there....

[@solukhumbu911]

thats some crazy wind . reminds me of a bad night i had at twin lakes up in desolation when the night was stewed in rain, hail and strong winds! curious jim, do u ever cook and eat the trouts u catch ? i love searing them good in olive oil first and then ill add some seasoning and some water to get a good sauce going, water also helps cook them evenly as those mini stoves dont do as good of a job to distribute that heat

[@highcountrychronicles]

No. I actually rarely eat fish. (Not a fan.) And I don't carry a stove anymore because of the weight. Thanks for watching!

[@ogoutdoors4202]

Jim love your videos. Curious if you are waiters are made for backpacking and how you pack them in your bag after use?

[@highcountrychronicles]

Thanks! The waders are long discontinued Simms Travel waders. They are super light weight (about 1lb) and well constructed. I don't know if they have a modern equivalent. Typically I let them hang overnight to dry. If they're still wet I just put them in the mesh pocket on the outside of my pack. Hope that helps!

[@jammnjoey]

Awsome did it 20yrs ago with purple as base camp. Is there a part 2? I would love to see if you did good at Virginia ?

[@highcountrychronicles]

Thanks! There is a part two (still working on it) but no additional fishing unfortunately. Video after next will have some Golden Trout fishing. 😁