TR Mineral King Loop - Franklin to Timber via Kaweah Gap

[maverick]

The only decent rain, after the Thursday, was on Sat evening, but it was threatening, starting early, every day. Owens had thunderheads lined up all along the length Inyo Mountains and the Sierra Crest, even got rained on while driving home on Sunday before the 395/120 junction, which was nice, 93 F in Bishop, down to 65 F near Mammoth.

PS Love the photos, especially the views from FLL looking towards the Kaweah Ridgeline.

[Harlen]

Congratulations on such a fine long trip. How fortunate that the weather held for you, and that you got to complete the dreamed of trip. Thanks for the detailed and informative post kpeter.

[HikingEagle]

Great report! I covered a lot of the same ground this June, and was amazing to see photos of lake 10410 and the like that were completely buried in snow earlier this season.

[rightstar76]

kpeter, I think you outdid yourself on those pictures. They are fantastic! I really liked the one of your tent at Franklin Lake. That's an incredible campsite. Makes me want to walk into the picture. And the Reflections at Lake 10410. That one is also amazing. Just looking at that picture makes me feel like I am standing by the lake. I can almost feel the breeze coming off the lake. It's so lush and green this year and the flowers. You picked a great time to go. Wish I was on that trail right now. Glad you had a great trip.

[mello]

Thanks for the great report and photos!

[Shawn]

Ditto what others have said, terrific TR ! Thanks for posting it up.

PS. Glad to know your car didn't get chewed up.

[kpeter]

PS Love the photos, especially the views from FLL looking towards the Kaweah Ridgeline.

That was a special moment. Here are a couple more:

DSC02198-1.jpg

DSC02200-2.jpg

[zenobe]

Great trip report, thanks so much for taking the time to write it. Our group will be doing nearly the same loop between August 14 to 19, so your information was extremely helpful to me in the planning process. I'm surprised how much snow is still up there! Beautiful photos too.

[iHartMK]

Amazing photos and a great trip report! I truly enjoyed reading it!

Next time you stay in Visalia, prior to a backpacking/hiking trip, you should stay at our Airbnb. We have lots of guests that are on their way to or from Sequoia & Kings Canyon Natl Parks. The couple you met near Little 5 Lakes, that were from Michigan sounds like the couple that had just stayed in our Airbnb.

William

[rhyang]

Gorgeous photos and great narrative !