Lake Edison is at 7,700' in the Sierras, but to get there you have to go over 10k' first, Kaiser Pass: a single lane road that hovers on cliffs above deep rocky valleys covered with pine and fir. And mosquitos. There are at least three parts where you don't want to meet any oncoming traffic as backing up is for suicidal drivers, there is no curb or barricade between you and a 1000' drop, and if the scenery hasn't paralyzed you with the absolute grandeur, then the fear of the road might. The little resort at Vermilion Valley sells tee shirts that say "I Survived the Road to Lake Edison". Well, as surfers say, they should have done it years ago when it wasn't paved. Not to say the present pavement has potholes in which a jeep could disappear. We did that road, hugging the cliff side so closely the first time, that the rocks shattered the side mirror. On the way down, Robert's 85 year old
other, who had joined us for the adventure, muttered swear words as we met traffic in tight places. Bridget and Dave brought their kayaks - see above, and we brought our new foldaboat which skims the waves better than the inflatables. The bottom photo shows a small line if you look carefully, below the massive mountains, that is the dam that created the lake. There are streams, waterfalls, trout and crazy hikers from the Pacific Crest Trail who have not one ounce of fat on them when they arrive at Vermillion Valley. And peace and tranquility after five days, and not one firecracker!
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