Florence Lake (2260m)
is located northeast of Fresno. See this page for general orientation.
This hike is mostly cross-country. You start from the eastern end of Lake Florence, which requires taking the first ferry in the morning. You hike about one hour on the trail (or, better, on the road) towards the John Muir trail. You leave the road at Double Meadow and climb on your left staying to the left of North Rock to find a shortcut to the John Muir trail. You hit the overcrowded John Muir trail at the Sallie Keyes lakes. Hike on the trail north to Selden Pass, passing Heart Lake. Descend Selden Pass to Marie Lake and turn left when you can. You should pass Marshall Lake to your right and start ascending towards Mt Hooper, clearly visible. When you are at the base of Mt Hooper, head for the saddle to its north/right. There is an easy way to descend on the western side. Stay to the right of Neil and Hooper lakes. The creek turns north and descends into a meadow but you're better off keeping your elevation and continuing straight west. You should pass Harvey Lake (the prettiest one, but you may miss it if you are too low) and then Gordon Lake. Stay to the right of all of these lakes. Turn around Gordon Lake and basically take a left (head southwest after the lake). This is now all cross-country and a very steep descent. If you keep a general south-west direction, you will eventually hit the diversion road that comes up from the Lake Florence campground. This is a broad unpaved road that costs the creek. As long as you stay south of Hooper creek (the creek that comes down from the lakes), you will not miss the road. From Gordon Lake it is pretty obvious that you can take a short-cut by heading southwest, but beware that this will involve steep descents, some bushwhacking and crossing two tributaries into very deep canyons. If, instead, you hit the road, it's a comfortable (if boring) straight route. Hike milestones:
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