Circle of Solitude variation. thoughts?
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 12:40 pm
hi all.
sorry if this gets wordy but I've been researching/wanting to do a variation on this loop from Onion Valley . I have a basic framework in mind and thought id throw it out for you all to debate on-as I'm sure there are many many many ways to do it.
BASIC INTRO:
level 3.5 experience.
comfortable with class 2-with a little class three sprinkled in.
main interests are lakes, big mountain scenery, fishing, videography/photos, a bit of peak bagging.
**areas that really interest me in this loop- Big Wet Meadow/Whaleback, Colby Lake, Forester Pass, Center Basin.**
looking to complete this in 8days/seven nights from Onion Valley.
I've read through three reports here on HST from Calipidder, Schmalz, and JoshuaCourter and all have done variations of this in anywhere from 6-10 days so i feel based on my experience/general fitness etc 8 days is fairly comfortable. although I'm sure i could spend months out there as theres so much to see..
GENERAL PLAN:
i'd look to do this in mid August once the monsoon and skeeter season is done.
1. Onion Valley TH to Kearsarge Lakes.
2.Kearsarge Lakes to Lake Reflection
3. Lake Reflection to Upper Cunningham Creek, or South Guard Lake-over Longley Pass.summit South Guard from pass.
4.Upper Cunningham Creek down to Cement Table Meadow and on to Colby Lake.
5.Colby Lake to either lake 10660 or Casper Lake-somewhere in the zone.
6. lake 10660 up to Lake South America, over saddle/pass to it's east(not sure on name?) and down to JMT. over Forester to Center Basin area for the night.
7. Center Basin to Kearsarge Lakes.
8. Kearsarge Lakes to TH.
MAIN QUESTIONS:
•are Sphinx Lakes a better call? would this be a better trip should i take Longley/Cinder Col/Sphinx pass? ultimately looping back to the Avalanche Pass trail, and up Bubbs Creek to the trailhead via Kearsarge Lakes? adding Brewer.
• better to tackle Harrison Pass/work west to East Lake/Bubbs/Kearsarge/TH than Forester/JMT/TH ? admittedly the north side of Harrison may be over my head, as it looks a bit sketchy and have read as much here on HST.
• better to head up JMT to Forester rather than Kern Canyon? have not visited either..so totally open. and don't mind so much being on the JMT super highway, or what would surely be the more secluded/wild Kern River Valley.
sorry if this is long/very broad but i figured you all would like to chime in and share your knowledge.
I've read so much on this already from you all.
thanks in advance.
sorry if this gets wordy but I've been researching/wanting to do a variation on this loop from Onion Valley . I have a basic framework in mind and thought id throw it out for you all to debate on-as I'm sure there are many many many ways to do it.
BASIC INTRO:
level 3.5 experience.
comfortable with class 2-with a little class three sprinkled in.
main interests are lakes, big mountain scenery, fishing, videography/photos, a bit of peak bagging.
**areas that really interest me in this loop- Big Wet Meadow/Whaleback, Colby Lake, Forester Pass, Center Basin.**
looking to complete this in 8days/seven nights from Onion Valley.
I've read through three reports here on HST from Calipidder, Schmalz, and JoshuaCourter and all have done variations of this in anywhere from 6-10 days so i feel based on my experience/general fitness etc 8 days is fairly comfortable. although I'm sure i could spend months out there as theres so much to see..
GENERAL PLAN:
i'd look to do this in mid August once the monsoon and skeeter season is done.
1. Onion Valley TH to Kearsarge Lakes.
2.Kearsarge Lakes to Lake Reflection
3. Lake Reflection to Upper Cunningham Creek, or South Guard Lake-over Longley Pass.summit South Guard from pass.
4.Upper Cunningham Creek down to Cement Table Meadow and on to Colby Lake.
5.Colby Lake to either lake 10660 or Casper Lake-somewhere in the zone.
6. lake 10660 up to Lake South America, over saddle/pass to it's east(not sure on name?) and down to JMT. over Forester to Center Basin area for the night.
7. Center Basin to Kearsarge Lakes.
8. Kearsarge Lakes to TH.
MAIN QUESTIONS:
•are Sphinx Lakes a better call? would this be a better trip should i take Longley/Cinder Col/Sphinx pass? ultimately looping back to the Avalanche Pass trail, and up Bubbs Creek to the trailhead via Kearsarge Lakes? adding Brewer.
• better to tackle Harrison Pass/work west to East Lake/Bubbs/Kearsarge/TH than Forester/JMT/TH ? admittedly the north side of Harrison may be over my head, as it looks a bit sketchy and have read as much here on HST.
• better to head up JMT to Forester rather than Kern Canyon? have not visited either..so totally open. and don't mind so much being on the JMT super highway, or what would surely be the more secluded/wild Kern River Valley.
sorry if this is long/very broad but i figured you all would like to chime in and share your knowledge.
I've read so much on this already from you all.
thanks in advance.