Amani- it was 1983 when I was a wilderness ranger in the Hoover. I worked the trails along Virginia Ck as well as Green Ck, Robinson, and Buckeye Cks. Some of the backcountry lakes had amazing fish in them at the time. In 1983, the backcountry did not open up until after Labor Day because of all the snow. Hmm. Kind of like this year. Good memories! Rick
Right on. Yeah, I'm expecting to have a lot of snow in the backcountry above 10K into August. I'll start lower and hopefully things will clear up enough to get into the high country safely by the 3rd week of July. The creeks are going to be ferocious!
Thanks so much. Putting together my hiking clips is always one of the hardest for me to do and takes the most time to edit and splice together. I'm always really tired from getting up early and driving a long distance. When I get out of the car and strap on my pack it's go time whether I'm ready or not! It helps just to think of it as a situation where the viewers are there and I'm doing it live. I love bringing you all with me!
Armani great content. That is a beautiful place. Our family did a horse packing trip from there around 20 years ago. We went up that pass past summit lake and down the canyon into Yosemite. About 10 mikes in. My brother And I hike up to what I think is Solder lake and caught a real nice trout up there. This video makes me want to go back and camp and fish some of the closer lakes. I can’t hike to well any more getting old so thanks for taking me on your trip.
Yeah, I'm 50 now so I I'm in full, non-stop, physical training and diet mode now so I can keep this up as long as possible. I have some short hikes in the area on my backpacking and hiking playlist that are 2 miles or less if you haven't seen them yet. I'll be adding more short hikes to that list this Summer and Fall. My advice, stay in a nearby campground or cabin and zip up to those lakes close to the trailhead with a light pack on. The backcountry is calling to you even if you are only cracking the surface. Making new memories backcountry like the one you describe are still within reach! Just get out and fish! Thanks for tuning in.
Thanks for the nice reply. I am planning on doing just what you mentioned. I am trying to build up my stamina and my try the Hilton lakes hike from your inspiration. And will definitely go back to Virginia lakes and camp and hope o some of those lakes. I just got a fly rod and have been practicing, Now I only need these old knees to hold up,
The Hoover Wilderness is rugged and beautiful. In October 1983 myself and 3 friends hiked in from Virginia Lakes to Summit Lake. We managed to catch the first storm of the year. I don't know how cold it was up there but our old Nalgene water bottles froze solid. We did catch fish though and overall was an awesome experience for 2 nights. Topped off the trip with dinner at the Sportsman's in Bridgeport.
Sounds like a killer memory! The snow storm will etch it in stone. I got caught in an early storm a few years ago up at Cottonwood Lakes. White out conditions first week of October and it was gnarly up there! It gets cold in the Eastern Sierra in October. If your water bottles were freezing solid it was probably in the 20's or even colder. Those temps aren't for everyone but given you still caught fish, sounds like you took it in stride!
Amani, I’ve been watching ur channel for a while, u r crazy and hopefully I will run into you in one of those crazy wildness. Keep up and I will continue to be ur fan :)
I recommend it. Like a lot of the trailheads in the Eastern Sierra on my hiking playlist, the trailhead is easy to get to from the main highway and the scenery is great. Hope Desolation was good for you. There are some real nice brook trout in Dick's Lake. I had to make 2 clips and cut out a lot of the fish I caught just to cover that day of fishing!
I haven't tried it but you are probably the third person to bring it up which makes me want to go. 8 miles is a long shot for me unless I can get an extra day off. I'll get there eventually. I want to eventually go everywhere!
That seemed like a long hike, how many miles would you have covered if you made it to Summit? Also were you planning to do this in one day or were you going to camp overnight? It seemed you were h iking for miles and probably had another good two miles to go.
I think there was only about a mile to go if the trail was clear. There was so much snow down below it would have been a serious chore getting down there. Going back was way easier and safer. I think I went about 4 miles before stopping. I was day hiking. Not including the time sleeping in my car, I had about 36 hours to make the most of the area. I fished Virginia lake the day before, slept in my car, hiked in early, fished, drove home that night. Having to work a lot is a pain but it won't stop me!
Nice. I saw a big one swim under my boat in Big Virginia Lake. Great wild rainbow action at Cooney Lake above it. I have a few more clips to get up from this trip.
@@wildernesswithamani1027 I just spent a whole week fishing those lakes frog, blue,coney, big and little Virginia lakes last week amazing place just breathtaking, thanks for the amazing content Armani 👍🏽
No, not at all. The Virginia Lakes Trailhead is only a quick 6 mile drive off the 395 before you hit Mono Lake. It is amazing up there and I recommend you get out there and enjoy the area for yourself! My video doesn't do it justice!
No, it's just a tactical pack. I keep my fishing tackle down to one small compartment because I like to carry a lot of other gear. Extra layers, sunscreen, binoculars, water filter, food, bug repellent, the list goes on and on!
Barely anyone but is is still early for that elevation. There were a lot of people fishing Virginia Lake down below but I fished the two lakes above it by myself for hours. Those clips are coming.
Those boots suck. I tried to go a little cheap with a lesser know brand RunFun and they are leaking. I need dry feet! I am going to use them when I wade rivers without waders when it's warm out. I ordered some new waterproof, insulated, high ankle hunting boots and they should be arriving any day. We'll see how that goes!
I figure, why risk it. live to hike another day! I got fish at two lakes on the way back. Those are on my alpine lakes playlist. Cooney lake had nice rainbows. Thanks for checking out the clip.
@@wildernesswithamani1027 I watched the Cooney Lake clip too. That looked like fun and even got me going little bit...just watching gave me that little adrenaline surge when "the bite" is on! Love your videos.
No idea. I passed on battling my way down there. Never been to the area before. With the ice still covering half the lake, I'm assuming it would be full of hungry fish!
You sure get around. Have you considered a satellite phone or personal locator beacon for your safety. I had a satellite phone, but it got extremely expensive. So I bought a personal locator beacon and while limited in sending a message, there is no monthly fee.
I email my brother where I'm going and when I should be coming out. He knows to send out the cavalry if I don't contact him by a certain time. I go in cold. Just an AM radio and rations to keep me alive! Been rolling like that for better than 3 decades. Who knows, maybe someday the wilderness will take me!
@@wildernesswithamani1027 You are lucky, I have no responsible friends or family to tell my whereabouts while hiking, kayaking, boating, UTVing, etc. Not to be Mr. Doom & Gloom, but what if you slip and cut yourself on a rock? I guess the cavalry will find you dead in a puddle of blood. I own a ACR ResQLink+, personal locator beacon. It links to the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) satellites. Press the red button and the real cavalry will show-up. ~$300.
I have hundreds of fishing videos across my channel playlists so I'm not sure what you are talking about. For every backcountry fishing video, and there are dozens, I have a clip to show what the hike is like. I read the comments so you seem to be speaking for yourself and don't really seem to be familiar with all of my channel content. If hiking videos turn you away I'm sure you can find a channel that is just fishing. Good luck.
Amani- it was 1983 when I was a wilderness ranger in the Hoover. I worked the trails along Virginia Ck as well as Green Ck, Robinson, and Buckeye Cks. Some of the backcountry lakes had amazing fish in them at the time. In 1983, the backcountry did not open up until after Labor Day because of all the snow. Hmm. Kind of like this year. Good memories!
Rick
Right on. Yeah, I'm expecting to have a lot of snow in the backcountry above 10K into August. I'll start lower and hopefully things will clear up enough to get into the high country safely by the 3rd week of July. The creeks are going to be ferocious!
Amazing hiking and video! One of you best! Super job!
Thanks so much. Putting together my hiking clips is always one of the hardest for me to do and takes the most time to edit and splice together. I'm always really tired from getting up early and driving a long distance. When I get out of the car and strap on my pack it's go time whether I'm ready or not! It helps just to think of it as a situation where the viewers are there and I'm doing it live. I love bringing you all with me!
Armani great content. That is a beautiful place. Our family did a horse packing trip from there around 20 years ago. We went up that pass past summit lake and down the canyon into Yosemite. About 10 mikes in. My brother And I hike up to what I think is Solder lake and caught a real nice trout up there. This video makes me want to go back and camp and fish some of the closer lakes. I can’t hike to well any more getting old so thanks for taking me on your trip.
Yeah, I'm 50 now so I I'm in full, non-stop, physical training and diet mode now so I can keep this up as long as possible. I have some short hikes in the area on my backpacking and hiking playlist that are 2 miles or less if you haven't seen them yet. I'll be adding more short hikes to that list this Summer and Fall. My advice, stay in a nearby campground or cabin and zip up to those lakes close to the trailhead with a light pack on. The backcountry is calling to you even if you are only cracking the surface. Making new memories backcountry like the one you describe are still within reach! Just get out and fish! Thanks for tuning in.
Thanks for the nice reply. I am planning on doing just what you mentioned. I am trying to build up my stamina and my try the Hilton lakes hike from your inspiration. And will definitely go back to Virginia lakes and camp and hope o some of those lakes. I just got a fly rod and have been practicing, Now I only need these old knees to hold up,
@@mikeroll9868 Just Take it Slow! Good Luck.
Thanks for putting in the effort!!
Always love doing it. I was feeling great hiking into the backcountry for the first time since last Fall. I am ready for more!
fishing the "End of the line"!! great vid again.
Thank you. It is so nice strolling through that area. Makes you feel alive!
The Hoover Wilderness is rugged and beautiful. In October 1983 myself and 3 friends hiked in from Virginia Lakes to Summit Lake. We managed to catch the first storm of the year. I don't know how cold it was up there but our old Nalgene water bottles froze solid. We did catch fish though and overall was an awesome experience for 2 nights. Topped off the trip with dinner at the Sportsman's in Bridgeport.
Sounds like a killer memory! The snow storm will etch it in stone. I got caught in an early storm a few years ago up at Cottonwood Lakes. White out conditions first week of October and it was gnarly up there! It gets cold in the Eastern Sierra in October. If your water bottles were freezing solid it was probably in the 20's or even colder. Those temps aren't for everyone but given you still caught fish, sounds like you took it in stride!
Amani, I’ve been watching ur channel for a while, u r crazy and hopefully I will run into you in one of those crazy wildness. Keep up and I will continue to be ur fan :)
Right on. I run into viewers quite often when I'm out and about. I enjoy it. Say hi if you see me.
Awesome video! I need to make it over to Hoover. Been hiking desolation last couple weeks.
I recommend it. Like a lot of the trailheads in the Eastern Sierra on my hiking playlist, the trailhead is easy to get to from the main highway and the scenery is great. Hope Desolation was good for you. There are some real nice brook trout in Dick's Lake. I had to make 2 clips and cut out a lot of the fish I caught just to cover that day of fishing!
@@wildernesswithamani1027 Yeah for sure going to check it out. I fished dicks not to long ago. Great fishing!!
Thanks for taking us on this adventure. Reminds me how beautiful our backyards are. Need to get out there myself!
Yes, as often as you can! I loved it out there. Get's me fired up that the high country trails are clearing up. It's go time!
Awesome hike, the look back down the canyon was awesome, better safe than sorry at the end👍
Live to hike and fish another day I always say!
Awesome video! Crazy to see that area accessible this early!
Right! I wasn't sure how high I was going to make it. It was great out there.
Hope you stopped at the store best milk shakes in the Sierras.😉
I slept in my car for a bit when I got out and drove home at night. I was dead tired. I had a busy 36 hours or so up there.
Have you hiked into Peeler Lake yet? It’s 8 miles in from Annette’s Mono Village, upper Twin Lakes.
I haven't tried it but you are probably the third person to bring it up which makes me want to go. 8 miles is a long shot for me unless I can get an extra day off. I'll get there eventually. I want to eventually go everywhere!
You are correct Virginia lake at 9 k
Yeah, once I started hiking higher in the back country I was gasping for air!
That seemed like a long hike, how many miles would you have covered if you made it to Summit? Also were you planning to do this in one day or were you going to camp overnight? It seemed you were h iking for miles and probably had another good two miles to go.
I think there was only about a mile to go if the trail was clear. There was so much snow down below it would have been a serious chore getting down there. Going back was way easier and safer. I think I went about 4 miles before stopping. I was day hiking. Not including the time sleeping in my car, I had about 36 hours to make the most of the area. I fished Virginia lake the day before, slept in my car, hiked in early, fished, drove home that night. Having to work a lot is a pain but it won't stop me!
I have caught trophy trout at that lake Armani
Nice. I saw a big one swim under my boat in Big Virginia Lake. Great wild rainbow action at Cooney Lake above it. I have a few more clips to get up from this trip.
@@wildernesswithamani1027 I just spent a whole week fishing those lakes frog, blue,coney, big and little Virginia lakes last week amazing place just breathtaking, thanks for the amazing content Armani 👍🏽
@@cubanb805 Man, it's great out there. Glad someone else saw what I saw!
@@wildernesswithamani1027 there was definitely more snow on the trail and I am glad it cleared up for you!!…tight lines and stay safe Armani
Virginia creek is where I caught the Sierra Slam😎
Nice. I haven't tackled that feat yet.
Hey Amani do you need a 4x4 vehicle to get to those lakes? Man it's so beautiful I NEED to go see it for myself! Great video lines tight!
No, not at all. The Virginia Lakes Trailhead is only a quick 6 mile drive off the 395 before you hit Mono Lake. It is amazing up there and I recommend you get out there and enjoy the area for yourself! My video doesn't do it justice!
What backpack are you using? Is it fishing/tackle backpack?
No, it's just a tactical pack. I keep my fishing tackle down to one small compartment because I like to carry a lot of other gear. Extra layers, sunscreen, binoculars, water filter, food, bug repellent, the list goes on and on!
Ground control to Major Tom😎
Roger that.
Less hiking more fishing 🧐
Fishing is the main reason I hike. I'm not a hiker who fishes on the side, I'm a fisherman who hikes because he has to.
Now that you moved to Nevada it's called Sheep country
Right on. It's nice up there.
Good stuff. I gotta get out there this summer. Many other hikers on the trail?
Barely anyone but is is still early for that elevation. There were a lot of people fishing Virginia Lake down below but I fished the two lakes above it by myself for hours. Those clips are coming.
Smoke em if ya got em Bro!!!
Alright.
Crossing that snow on a steep hill like that is a death sentence. Smart decision. Better safe then sorry.
That's the way I see it. Especially when the snow is going from frozen to soft as the morning progressed. No thanks!
Amani......what boots are you sporting here?.......Thanks......My Danners are worn out, Im lookin.......
Those boots suck. I tried to go a little cheap with a lesser know brand RunFun and they are leaking. I need dry feet! I am going to use them when I wade rivers without waders when it's warm out. I ordered some new waterproof, insulated, high ankle hunting boots and they should be arriving any day. We'll see how that goes!
too bad you didn't get all the way in.
I figure, why risk it. live to hike another day! I got fish at two lakes on the way back. Those are on my alpine lakes playlist. Cooney lake had nice rainbows. Thanks for checking out the clip.
@@wildernesswithamani1027 I watched the Cooney Lake clip too. That looked like fun and even got me going little bit...just watching gave me that little adrenaline surge when "the bite" is on! Love your videos.
Is the fishing that good at Summit lake 🤪
No idea. I passed on battling my way down there. Never been to the area before. With the ice still covering half the lake, I'm assuming it would be full of hungry fish!
I noticed that your pole wasn’t on your pack at the end of the video. I hope you didn’t lose it.
No, I had my pole. I grabbed the wrong pole when I set out but I had it!
You sure get around. Have you considered a satellite phone or personal locator beacon for your safety. I had a satellite phone, but it got extremely expensive. So I bought a personal locator beacon and while limited in sending a message, there is no monthly fee.
I email my brother where I'm going and when I should be coming out. He knows to send out the cavalry if I don't contact him by a certain time. I go in cold. Just an AM radio and rations to keep me alive! Been rolling like that for better than 3 decades. Who knows, maybe someday the wilderness will take me!
@@wildernesswithamani1027 You are lucky, I have no responsible friends or family to tell my whereabouts while hiking, kayaking, boating, UTVing, etc. Not to be Mr. Doom & Gloom, but what if you slip and cut yourself on a rock? I guess the cavalry will find you dead in a puddle of blood. I own a ACR ResQLink+, personal locator beacon. It links to the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) satellites. Press the red button and the real cavalry will show-up. ~$300.
Mars rover 🤪
Totally looked like it!
You want to know why your memberships down because people want to see you fish not hike
I have hundreds of fishing videos across my channel playlists so I'm not sure what you are talking about. For every backcountry fishing video, and there are dozens, I have a clip to show what the hike is like. I read the comments so you seem to be speaking for yourself and don't really seem to be familiar with all of my channel content. If hiking videos turn you away I'm sure you can find a channel that is just fishing. Good luck.