Hauken, James 1975 Journal Hydromantes trip to Smith Lake + Sorora Pass Grouse, Wight's Lake, Desolation Wilderness Area, Eldorado National Forest, Eldorado Co. California, 8120' elev. 3 October Left Berkeley with Andy Meister at ~9AM. After calling a Fish & Game Warden in Placerville to tell him that I was up to collect Hydromantes in this area this weekend, we continued on to the main campground area at Wight's Lake (~7000' elev.). We waited for the park ranger to register between (1-2PM) and then headed up the trail towards Grouse Lake. The area around Wight's Lake is regulated by montane forest dominated by Pinus ponderosa, Pinus murryana, and red fir (Abies magnifica) interspersed with large granite outcrops. Parts of the trail pass through extensive granite "fields" with few trees. The area excluding the lakes is extremely dry; the only visible water being the stream draining into Grouse Lake and continuing down to Wight's - there is no evidence of any recent rain. Weather reports yesterday predicted rain for this area tonight, but this morning's reports included only extreme N California in rainy areas. We arrived at Grouse Lake at ~4PM. 4 October Last night I investigated a wet area along the trail to Smith Lake just above Grouse Lake. Here a stream draining Hemlock Lake into Grouse