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Post by Mio Muddler on Feb 15, 2016 14:21:47 GMT -8
Hi everyone,
Haven't visited much since the switch to the new forums but I'm glad to see they are functionally up again and getting some visits. I've gotten a lot of useful information in the past. Anyway, I have a question I hope can be answered. Does anybody know if there is a route from the South Fork Lake area heading east to hit the Lizard Head Trail? It looks like a stream can be followed on the south end of the lake to head over to the trail but boots on the ground knowledge is better than just looking at a topo. I'm interested in heading to the South Fork Lakes from Valentine Lake but would prefer to not backtrack to get back on trail.
Thanks in advance for any help,
MioMuddler
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Post by swimswithtrout on Feb 15, 2016 16:47:26 GMT -8
There's an easy to follow horsepacker trail that will take you from "Helmet Lake" back to Valentine Lk. It doesn't drop down the valley but stays up on the bench past Ltl Valentine over to Valentine Lk. It's very obvious on the Google Earth photos.
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Post by Mio Muddler on Feb 17, 2016 14:18:32 GMT -8
Thanks for the information, I appreciate it. I plan on hiking over Hailey Pass and picking up the Bears Ear trail past Grave Lake and Valentine Lake. I then would like to visit South Fork Lake and maybe camp there. Is Helmet Lake another name for the bigger of the two South Fork Lakes? Is the smaller lake known as Holster? From the larger of the two lakes it looks like there is a draw to the east where an inlet stream flows into the lake. What I was wondering is if it is possible to follow the draw east up to the Lizard Head plateau and pick up the Lizard Head trail and then head south from there. It looks possible on the topo and Google earth but I'm a flat lander so even though I know what a contour line is it's hard for me to really visualize the steepness of a particular route. Essentially I would like to try and loop over to the Lizard Head trail and go south from there rather then heading back north to Valentine and picking up the trails there. Thanks....
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Post by swimswithtrout on Feb 18, 2016 15:14:03 GMT -8
From the larger of the two lakes it looks like there is a draw to the east where an inlet stream flows into the lake. What I was wondering is if it is possible to follow the draw east up to the Lizard Head plateau and pick up the Lizard Head trail and then head south from there. It looks possible on the topo and Google earth but I'm a flat lander so even though I know what a contour line is it's hard for me to really visualize the steepness of a particular route. Essentially I would like to try and loop over to the Lizard Head trail and go south from there rather then heading back north to Valentine and picking up the trails there. Thanks.... It would be "possible" to go up that way, but I would highly recommend against it !!! It is just barely possible to make your way down the gully, which features bus to house size boulders, where every turn is wrong. I use it as a shortcut, to get down off the Plateau when coming up from the North Frk Popo Agie canyon (The Cirque). If you are planning a loop from Big Sandy, then reverse it, so you are dropping down the gully vs trying to go up it. |
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Post by Mio Muddler on Feb 20, 2016 8:31:18 GMT -8
Thanks swt...that is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Best if I avoid the gully altogether and backtrack if I do decide to go to the South Forks lakes. I understand if you would rather not divulge any specific information but you probably know the loop I will be taking and I'm very interested in catching a golden trout. Only for a picture of course but are there lakes along my route where this may be possible? Tried a couple of years ago in the Beartooths in early July but couldn't get back far enough due to snowpack and frozen lakes. Had a great time at Albino Lake though catching cuts along the shoreline.....most of the center was still ice covered but they were hanging out just inside of the ice shelf.
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Post by lellswo on May 16, 2017 19:19:44 GMT -8
Nancy Pallister's book describes a route from South Fork Lakes to the Lizard Head Trail. Here is her description on page 76: "The route ascends the first gully south of Point 11,606. From South Fork Lake 10,500 (Helmut Lake) ascend a small forested ridge adjacent and north of a small drainage, avoiding the brushy center of the drainage and the south side cliffs. The upper steep grassy slopes are studded with rocks; trekking poles are very helpful. After a steep 300 feet, you will break out onto gently sloping Lizard Head Plateau. Turn south and traverse cross country until you intersect with the Lizard Head Trail."
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