I didn’t get the ‘sand walking’ title line when this outing was first announced. Or at least not as it was intended. I remembered that a few years back, after a fire had burned through this area, that the walk in to the canyon, with all it’s decomposed granite (sand) and blackened landscape, was a bit of a death march… Thought that was what Chris was referring to when he announced that we were going to be doing some ‘sand walking’.
Dad figured out immediately though that San(d) Joaquin(g) was the play on words Chris had in mind. We later confirmed on Saturday night sitting around the campfire, and I pointed out to Chris (who hadn’t been here yet) that the trail was in fact really sandy.
 
Had a good time around the fire Saturday night with Chris playing a mini concert for us. Chris is an excellent guitar player and flyfisher. I envy him on both counts.
 

 
Chris did well on a rubber legged prince nymph and seemed to be hooking up pretty regularly. He offered the ‘right fly’ but I was still hung up on getting them on my own ties. Ended up keeping the skunk off for the AM session with this trophy.
 

 
Sunday, we broke camp and hit Starkweather lake on our way out of the park. Kind of an ironic name considering we were prevented from going on it the night before by a pretty persistent and active electrical storm that seemed to just hover over the lake. Here’s Cris cruising some structure.
 

 
I, once again avoided the white stripe with this lone bruiser taken on a submerged damsel fly nymph.
 

 
The fishing was kind of slow on the lake, so we opted to head for the Upper Owens where Dad and I have always done fairly well. On the way out, I took some wild flower photos and a few cuttings for my native garden. (Cris: It’s looking good that I’ll be able to get you some Monkeyflower and Penstemon plants for the new place – The cuttings made it back in great shape and are already in the dirt).  
 
Sierra Lily
 

 
Newberry’s Penstemon (Mountain Pride)
 

 
Monk’s Hood
 

 
Lewis’ Monkey flower
 

 
We got out of Post Pile just in time for some serious weather to start coming down. Drove through BIG rain drops and lots of lightning on our way to the water, we were kept from wetting a line on the Upper O when the lightning just wouldn't let up. . Took a video hoping to catch one of the bolts coming down. Dad thinks I got one. I’m not so sure, but you get a pretty good idea for the amount of rain that was heading our way. Also kind of funny to get Dad’s take on blonde’s!!  
 

 
All in all a successful outing. Had a great time, and cant wait to get back up there.  
 

 
Thanks Cris for putting it all together!
 
Brandt
 
PS. Sorry for the size and orientation of the photos. Photobucket isnt letting me resize or rotate them.
 

Brandt,
That's okay, I didn't get it, until you just pointed it out.   Man I'm slow.  Looks like another great trip and nice pics.
Brad

THANKS FOR THE POST.  I SURE WISH I COULD HAVE MADE IT.  PEACE, DREW

30 French girls? Holy $%^!!!!!    
 
You should have sent a distress signal to me.......I'd have been more than happy to translate.

Very nice trip guys all around. Jake and I were up above you guys in the "Horse Luggage" Region. It was an "electrical weekend" wasn't it? We got nailed Sat with rain and hail.
 
Cris, I'm with you on the simplicity of high sticking just a single nymph, less wind knots, trouble. Quicker hook-sets.
 
Again great outing.
 
Walt