Remember to left click on the picture to see the larger version.
 
    At least once a year the Magic Raven must take the  Ferry across Saddlebag Lake to the Twenty Lakes Basin.  It is a five mile hike around the most beautiful mountain country in the Sierras.  Small lakes and wild flowers are framed by mountain glaciers and big sky's.  The trail meanders over relatively level ground so the Magic Raven's feet don't get tired. 
Paul Cohen operates the ferry and knows everything there is to know about fishing Saddlebag lake.  The Magic Raven has trouble catching fish.  He should  listen carefully to Paul's advice on which fly is working and which area of the lake should be most productive.                
Saddlebag Lake is just off Tioga Pass about fifteen miles west of highway 395 near Lee Vining.   The resort features camp grounds, a restaurant/store and of course, a boat launch area.   Spray on plenty of Mosquito repellant if your going in July and be sure to stop in the store for lunch or dinner on the way out. 

 

No explanation needed for these two pictures.  The Magic Raven just liked them so he stuck them in the website.

 

   

 

 The Magic Raven doesn't know the names of wildflowers but his book identified these as Lupine.  If anyone knows their correct name e-mail the Raven.  The Magic Raven wonders if the purple frame is just too much purple.

The Magic Raven is not camera shy.   This is Odell Lake.  Just one of   the pristine mountain lakes within easy walking distance of the drop-off point at the end of Saddlebag Lake.   It was about 11:00 AM when this pictures was taken.  The Magic Raven was getting hungry.  He hiked back to the small pier at the end of the lake where Paul Cohen ferried him back to the restaurant for lunch.   After lunch the Raven went fishing along the shore line.  Everybody else was catching fish except the Raven.   He tried every bait in his tackle box and four different kinds of flies.  Nothing worked.   But the hiking was good.   The Magic Raven likes the red frame.  It goes with his hat.

 

 

 

Click here for more of the Saddlebag Lake excursion and points south