High Sierra Topix

I went up Friday and got a site in Cold Springs campground for the hike in on Saturday. I hiked into White Chief Canyon where I enjoyed seeing the natural cave systems along with the mine adits. I didn't know all that was there. Probably best I did not bring a flashlight other wise I would have spent way too much time exploring the caves. I climbed the NW ridge of Vandever Mountain making the summit by about 12:30. The register was stolen like so many other peaks. I then traversed over to Peak 11,770 'ish' where no register was found either. I then made the long tedious traverse to White Chief Peak and then on to the summit of Hengst Peak. By this point I was already totally beat but I was happy I got the 4 peaks done. I then dropped down to the Mosquito Lakes which I was not able to enjoy at all because the night settled in on me and I had no flashlight so quickly I found myself hiking in the dark. Although the full moon was coming up it had little effect in the forest. I was a bit dismayed at first because following a trail in the dark is one thing but cross country is something else. At one point I tripped on a large rock and went crashing down putting a nice gash in my leg just below the knee. Not long after that I pulled out my camera and put a photo on the screen and used what little light it gave me. Finally I got onto the trail and made my way out after 13.5 hours and my GPS recorded 5800 feet gained and 17.5 miles hiked. I got back into camp at 10pm completely wrecked but still happy to have got it all done!

Photos here: Mineral King Day Hike

MK is always a great place to visit, nice job on those four peaks and thanks for the nice photos. Death march indeed, good thing you didn't break a leg after that stumble.

Some years ago I went up to White Chief via Eagle Lake, not realizing what a dud it is from the west. After taking a dip in a little lake east of White Chief, I traversed towards Vandever but as I got closer just couldn't get excited about it and bailed into the valley and headed out. The valley seemed to be the best part of the hike.

PS.I always have a headlamp in my day pack, even for the shortest of hikes, ya' just never know.

Yeah that traverse after the little class 1 hump is very tedious. Probably the worst part of the whole traverse.

And yeah I have not been a day hiker at all so little things like I really should bring a flashlight haven't been ingrained in me yet but hey the best lessons are those hard learned. My gear list was nothing more than a jacket and a first aid kit. I couldn't have even made a fire if I was forced to stay out all night.

Well Rogue, with the zillion miles you've put in the Sierra I have to suppose you could find your way out of there blind folded, hands tied behind your back and wearing ear plugs.

Rogue, you amaze me. Thanks for sharing those stellar pics of a real adventure.