Hanken, James 1975 Journal Hydromantes trip to Smith Lake & Sonora Pass Grouse Lake, Desolation Wilderness Area, Eldorado National Forest, Eldorado Co. California, 8120' elev 4 October lake weans across a flat stretch and has partially flooded the area leaving small pools (from 1 to 2 to 5 across) interspersed among granite boulders and patches of dry ground. Late yesterday afternoon a frog skeleton had been found inside one of the pools and last night I found an adult another rana muscosa in a pool (#176). Several large tadpoles (presumably rana) were also seen in the water pools but couldn't be collected. Returning to Grouse Lake I walked along the banks and saw three additional rana, collecting one. No rana were heard calling at anytime. Earlier in the day a Hyla was heard calling occasionally from the rocks surrounding the lake. This morning Andy and I walked up to Smith Lake. Along as one reaches Smith Lake the forest thins out slightly until a point just above Smith Lake where timberline is found and trees drop out entirely, leaving only two granite outcrops. Along the N bank of Smith lake is a thin stand of red fir, while along the ridge of the W bank is mostly stunted mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana). All but the W bank of the lake is surrounded by steep slopes of granite, however active seeps were found