Passed out in the High Sierra
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 7:22 pm
I headed up to Bishop Pass on Friday morning, July 25 for an eight day solo trip to numerous high, off trail passes. I lucked out the first morning and met up with a group of 12, of various ages, led by a retired gent, Fitz, from Bishop. I hiked with them to Thunderbolt Pass, then split off and went my way to Barrett Lakes. The second day, I got up early and headed up to their camp and went around it and up and over Potluck Pass down to Cirque Lake I believe, where Glacier Creek flows from. From there, I went up and over Cirque Pass, no name on my map, then down to the Palisade Lakes for my second night. Excellent views of the surrounding peaks, open drainages, where you had to work your way around rocks, ramps etc. My third morning out, I slept in about 45 minutes, so a couple large groups from the University of North Carolina went by, who I caught up to at least one group. On Mather Pass I took a short break. What a view of the Upper Basin. I was to stay at the large, unnamed lake below and to the east of the pass, but it had no trees so I elected to go to Cardinal Lake a seemingly short distance of a mile or so further. Mistake. I made it there, but it took a lot longer then planned. After a short visit there, I headed back down and stayed along the PCT/JMT, where no one saw me as far as I know. In the xc hike down from Cardinal, I discovered the mini canyon the South Fork of the Kings River goes thru, which I fished later and caught some Goldens, which I released. My fourth day, found me going north up the PCT/JMT about a mile and a half, back towards Mather Pass, where I took off west, xc to the pass to the east of Amphitheater Lake. The few contacts I have had, everyone does this in reverse, as after making my way down I can see why, a very dangerous route that I took I love the beauty of these high lakes, but they are lonely and stark to me and I love to camp around trees. I took a break here at Amphitheater Lake and pondered how the inspiration for my journey, maverick, went up and over or around and down to Amphitheater Lake and Dumbbell Lakes the year before. However he went, it looked like I didn’t have the gas in my tank to do it. I think I know how he went but that can wait if ever. I went down the drainage to Deer Meadow, which is along the PCT/JMT, a very nice spot, with an abundance of wild flowers growing to keep you entertained for a bit. I picked up an old trail part way down, but it disappeared in an old burn down lower. I met Liz and her husband here, teachers in SF and Oakland Day five looked like an easy day and was, but by now, I was tired from the passes I guess. I headed down Palisade Creek, headed west and north to the junction below Dusy Basin, to Little Pete Meadow. I thought to try for Big Pete Meadow, not remembering from my South Lake-North Lake trip four years ago that horse packers use the meadow and not much for fishing there. I went back to Little Pete Meadow, took a break and had no motivation, plus I had just had another aura, where my vision is affected for 20 minutes or so. I was in a funk I guess. After 30 minutes or so I got up and packed the few things I had taken out of my pack and headed back to the Ranger Station camping area for some possible company, where I met the Ranger along the creek while I was checking out campsites. Ranger John had just been up to Amphitheater Lake a short while back and may have been the sole tracks I saw in places when I came down the drainage from Amphitheater Lake. He suggested going downstream to a spot along the trail. He also suggested I find a hiking partner, I shouldn’t be out there by myself. I went there and by then I was feeling better mentally too. A doe was hanging around camp and I tried chasing her and throwing rocks at her, but she hung around. My canister had a lick mark and a small dribble on it the next morning where I had stashed it in the rocks. Earlier in the morning, I had been checked for my permit by his supervisor, Debbie, who was on a five day bp trip. From my campsite along the Middle Fork of the Kings River, I had an excellent view of part of the drainage coming down from Ladder Lake, which is one of the lakes maverick visited last summer. Wow! What a climb to get to Ladder Lake. I was going to have enough trouble crossing the river without camp shoes or water shoes or any sorts, without the steep climb up there. As it was, my sixth day was tough getting up to Dusy Basin, I should have cruised up the trail, I headed up the trail to Dusy Basin and camped at the lake close to the trail, high up. Not much of a spot, as I had to move my gear four times to keep it out of the sun. The fish were feeding pretty good, but would not take any fly I threw in the water. Bummer. I didn’t think it got that cold that night, but there was frost on my pack the next morning. Felt good to me. For day seven, I made my way over Bishop Pass to Ruwah Lake, a small lake, with lots of fish and at least one spot with a great view if you keep an open mind. By afternoon, the fish were taking the fly I offered them, so I was able to catch three fish for my evening meal to go with my ramen for the night. That morning, I had talked with a couple people about a rock slide the night before that lasted about a minute. The night I spent at Ruwah, that was nothing. For hours that night, I heard boulders/rocks coming down in the basin there. My last night, I stayed at the Treasure Lakes, a small, hand full of lakes, scattered about South Lake. Windy there, some young gents were catching fish, I hooked a couple later in the day, but was unable to land them, where I would have released them anyway. It was windy all afternoon and into the night there. I was up before the crack of dawn and I was leaving the trailhead at 7:00AM after giving a ride to a guy, back to there car, who was with a bunch who had to leave there car a mile down the South Lake road
Enabled them to have there car at the TH when they ended there trip and to not have to depend on walking down to get the car or catching a ride.
My hardest trip ever I believe and most dangerous, as I left a few things out. Thank you maverick for the trip report and photos from last summer and the mention to be in good physical shape to complete the trip. I had serious doubts that my ankles and/or knees could do this trip as I have had some pain in the past, but they did find. I think it is going down the stair steps on some trails that is hard on the knees.
Disclaimer, this trip is not glamourized and parts should only be hiked with due care and caution.
Now, where is that subscription to AARP, with the free Rocking Chair Guide to Car Camping with a paid year subscription?
Thank you maverick for the inspiration and word of caution.
Enabled them to have there car at the TH when they ended there trip and to not have to depend on walking down to get the car or catching a ride.
My hardest trip ever I believe and most dangerous, as I left a few things out. Thank you maverick for the trip report and photos from last summer and the mention to be in good physical shape to complete the trip. I had serious doubts that my ankles and/or knees could do this trip as I have had some pain in the past, but they did find. I think it is going down the stair steps on some trails that is hard on the knees.
Disclaimer, this trip is not glamourized and parts should only be hiked with due care and caution.
Now, where is that subscription to AARP, with the free Rocking Chair Guide to Car Camping with a paid year subscription?
Thank you maverick for the inspiration and word of caution.