Overnight stay at Devils Table

Over the years, I have hiked many times to one of my favorite areas called Devils Table.

It is not a long distance from the Mono Hot Springs resort. There are no trails and a few spots can be difficult while trekking, but the rewards are in the journey and history associated with this area.

Twenty-plus years ago, I was into photography and I wanted to photograph the early morning sunrise from the top of the table. Here is my story of this special overnight adventure into the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

I had to prepare for an overnight stay on its top. I had to allow for carrying the added weight of my hiking gear, food and water, plus camera gear for the overnight adventure. My favorite hiking buddy, Smokey (my dog), joined me on this outing.

I decided to approach the table by the original and shorter cross-country route which will lead us to the south or front of the table. There will be two steep areas (still class 2) to climb before arriving at the steep south table end.

Long pants and hiking boots are required because of the thick manzanita bushes to keep your legs from getting scratched. Next, skirted around to the east side and followed the slope upward to the only entrance to the table top.

To manage the last six feet, I had to remove my pack and equipment and tie them to a rope and hoist them to the top. Smokey also had to be lifted, but with the help of his four legs, he managed to complete the climb.

I found an excellent campsite area next to a granite wall shaded by a few small trees.

It has been a few years since I visited this area. With four hours of daylight remaining today, it’s time for Smokey and me to explore this remarkable workmanship of nature before setting up my tent for a night’s rest.

From the south end I could see the canyon cut by the San Joaquin River as it flows west through the valley. This table is just high enough that the tops of those old growth Ponderosa pines are protruding above the table around 30 feet.

From the north end I could see the upper valley that holds Edison Lake and below is Mono Creek bordering Mono Meadow. To the east I can see Mary’s Mountain and the canyon that skirts Bear Ridge.

The mountains above feature Florence Lake, Bear Dome and Hooper Mountain. West are the Minaret Mountains and if one looks closely you can see an area covered with setting rocks.

I now realize this table has many wildflowers during the springtime but today they are only displaying 10 percent of normal. Indian Paintbrushes are still lingering here in late summer.

I could not believe the only mature lonely pine tree that had been struck by lightning 10 years ago and is still alive but losing its battle for life from the sad event. Small pine trees and manzanita bushes are the only vegetation surviving in this dry rocky soil.

There is a possible chance we may have a visitor tonight because there are a few old cougar tracks in the sandy areas. Hope they wait another 48 hours before returning.

Before daybreak tomorrow morning, I know the location and I’ll set up my camera and hopefully get the photo of the sun peaking over the highest mountain in the east.

Morning came as expected and no unknown visitor last night (no new tracks). Clouds were blocking the sunrise, but I managed to get a few photos of the landscaping surrounding this huge table.

It was mid-morning departing from the east end of the table. After looking at my map, I decided to go north and eventually crossed the trail leading to Tule Lake. I was early enough to find the lake calm without a ripple on its surface.

Successful photos and the lake’s 78 degree temperature was ideal for a quick morning swim. Tule Lake is thermally heated and even at 7,000 feet it never freezes during the winter.

While swimming, we were visited by two deer that needed to quench their morning thirst, but departed before I could get to my camera. Less than an hour later we were back to Mono Hot Springs and shared our adventure with those guests at the Mountain Café.

The history of Devils Table is told through the ancestors of Native Americans who inhabited this area during the summer season. I conducted interviews with them to learn more about this place.

This table and the surrounding area was a gathering area for thanking the Great Spirit for a safe journey into these mountains (spring season). Also, when it was time for departure in the (fall season), they would gather again before going back to the warm valley below.

Physical evidence! On the south end of the table top, there is evidence of a large fire ring. Stones for identification are buried close to the surface.

They burned wood to signal their people to gather during the spring and fall. On the west side below the table there are grinding holes and setting rocks identifying family areas.

Also, many years ago, there must have been an earthquake as one huge flat boulder has grinding holes bored into the rock at a 45 degree angle. I believe the American Indians have been occupying this area since the 12th century.

Tony Krizan describes himself as an “adventurer” and he explores the Sierra Nevada range on a regular basis. He can be reached at tonykrizan@hotmail.com.