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Planning for next year (already!)

Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 11:15 pm
by tim
Yes, I know its not even winter yet, but I'm already starting to think about plans for a trip next summer (first half of August) with my kids (they'll be 13). We really enjoyed our 6 day trip (really 4 days plus 2 half days) from Florence Lake to Evolution Basin and Davis Lakes this summer (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9921" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and are looking for another similar 40-60 mile loop with a couple of days off trail in the middle.

I've come up with two possibilities so far, but it would be great to get similar suggestions. Nothing harder than Class 2+, up to 10-12 miles per day on trail or half that off trail (though probably not averaging more than 10 on/5 off trail), solitude and high mountain scenery is nice, we don't fish. We're flexible on location, west side or east side, though being able to drive up early (from the Bay Area) and start on Day 1 is a bonus. The decision may partly be made by whether we will actually have 6-7 days available, given other commitments next summer, but I'd welcome any feedback on these two routes in SEKI.

Option 1 (easier I think(?) than this summer, 5 days): Marvin Pass to Sugarloaf (Day 1) to Ranger Meadow (Day 2) to Tablelands Lake 10559 (Day 3, via Big Bird Lake and Tableland Pass) to Crescent or Beville/Ranger Lake (Day 4) and out via Rowell Meadow (Day 5).

Option 2 (obviously harder but would welcome input on how much harder, 6-7 days): Courtright to Rae Lake (Day 1) to Goddard Canyon (Day 2, via Hell for Sure Pass) to Lake 10232 (Day 3, via Martha Lake and Reinstein Pass) to Cathedral Lake (Day 4, via Finger Col) to North Fork Kings (Day 5) and out (Day 6). We'd probably keep a day spare if the off trail takes longer than expected or if we got a late start on Day 1.

Re: Planning for next year (already!)

Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 8:00 am
by balzaccom
Courtwright to Rae Lake in a single day is ambitious. That last climb up to Fletcher Lake (and then Rae) is pretty darn steep. With kids that age, you might want to camp at Post Corral Meadow and leave the steep climb for the next day.

When we did that trip, we continued on the Kings River, camped there, and then hiked to Devil's Punchbowl on day 2---also a steep climb!

Re: Planning for next year (already!)

Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 9:25 am
by oldranger
A variation of the first option would be my choice: Big Bird, across the Upper Fergusons, box canyon, to crescent lake then to ranger lake, lost lake, Seville lake and return. Consider sunset meadow rather than Marvin Pass as th. add a day or two if you can. Upper Fergusons and box canyon are gems off most people's radar.

Mike

Re: Planning for next year (already!)

Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 7:36 pm
by tim
balzaccom wrote:Courtwright to Rae Lake in a single day is ambitious. That last climb up to Fletcher Lake (and then Rae) is pretty darn steep. With kids that age, you might want to camp at Post Corral Meadow and leave the steep climb for the next day.
Yes I did think that 7 days might be more feasible, especially if we drove up the first morning (say Post Corral night 1, Disappointment Lake night 2, Martha Lake night 3, lakes below Finger Col night 4, Portal Lake night 5 and North Fork Kings night 6). Any pros and cons re more/less attractive places to camp? On the other hand, the kids are both better hikers than me - in August I was more exhausted than them after our 13 mile day (almost all downhill) from Davis Lake to Muir Trail Ranch. The solution appears to be to give them more of the weight...
oldranger wrote:A variation of the first option would be my choice: Big Bird, across the Upper Fergusons, box canyon, to crescent lake then to ranger lake, lost lake, Seville lake and return. Consider sunset meadow rather than Marvin Pass as th. add a day or two if you can. Upper Fergusons and box canyon are gems off most people's radar.
Not sure I follow. Do you mean going up to Tableland Pass from Big Bird and then descend into Ferguson/Box Canyons, or staying on the ridge like TehipiteTom (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9967" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) which is basically what I intended? It seems like Marvin Pass trailhead would be a shortcut to Sugarloaf and about the same distance as Sunset Meadow on the way out - are there reasons to avoid it?

Thanks for the feedback.