Trip Report: Taboose->Dumbbells->South Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:57 pm
Taboose Creek Trailhead -> Lakes Basin -> Dumbbell Lakes Basin -> Palisade Basin -> South Lake
8 day mostly solo trip.
We decided to drive in to the Taboose Creek trailhead the night before hiking in. One goes right at the fork on the road to the trailhead, passing through the "4-wheel drive only" sign. The unsigned route really is 4-wheel drive only, though in fact it can be managed with some trouble in a low-clearance Chevy compact. Arrived at the trailhead late at night, August 6, 2009. After a late start the next morning, we made it to Taboose Pass in about 6 hours, and pulled in to Bench Lake at around 5pm.
On Day 2 we descended directly from Bench Lake to South Fork Kings River, starting somewhat west of the Bench Lake outlet. We climbed the other side until meeting the trail near the stream draining the lower of the two larger lakes in the basin south of Cartridge Pass. At this point, the sole of my buddy's right Asolo boot decided to rip loose, leaving only the heel attached. After careful deliberation we decided he should exit, and meet me on Day 6 in Palisade Basin. I climbed up to the tiny lake just south of Cartridge Pass, passing south and west of the lake, before climbing northeast to the top. Both sides of Cartridge Pass are very easy. Walked into Lakes Basin, pitching camp at an established spot overlooking Lake 10632, Marion Lake, and the impressive wall of mountains behind them.
On Day 3 I crossed Dumbbell Lakes Pass. The south side is completely trivial, and the north side is easy if one remembers to stay west, to avoid a mighty boulder field. I camped right at Lake 11108, finding few established spots.
On Day 4 (lay day) I toured the basin, walking up to Observation Peak for a spectacular view, then descending to the beautiful lake just to the south, which features islands and a sandy beach.
On Day 5 I hiked over Cataract Pass (class 2). The snow cornice at the top was small enough to allow easy passage, though when viewed from Amphitheater Lake it appears to be impassable. With more snow one might have to find an alternate route to the north, probably class 3. The hike down Cataract Creek was easy, except near the bottom where the temperature climbs, the country gets a bit thick, and then there's a bog. I would like to find an easy route bypassing these problems, from lower Cataract Creek northeast toward PCT. Higher up on the trail I heard an outlandish sound, which turned out to be two coyotes, mating. I tried to be discreet but they heard me, and sprinted up a boulder field on the eastern side. I also visited the Prospect, well worth a quick inspection. In all, I spent three full days without meeting a soul. Then I met a guy named John in Palisade Basin, and he was the first person I talked to since the middle of Day 2. Really appreciated meeting someone of like mind, after the days of solitude.
On Day 6 I hiked from the lake above the outlet to lower Palisade Lake to Cirque Pass, then over Potluck Pass, and camped at one of the Barrett Lakes. There was slightly more snow on Cirque Pass than I encountered last year, and I had to take off my pack and drag it after me through the chute on the western side. A little more snow would raise the difficulty of this crossing from class 2 to 3. I met up with my buddy that night.
On Day 7 we hiked up to Thunderbolt Pass just to see it, and saw four guys who had come in on Scimitar Pass. Nice looking group, though at least one of them appeared to be less than thrilled with the crossing. On Day 8 we exited via Bishop Pass, making it to the parking lot at around 2. A great trip! Many thanks to those who recommended Dumbbell Lakes Basin on the High Sierra Topix website. I'll try to post some of my pictures.
8 day mostly solo trip.
We decided to drive in to the Taboose Creek trailhead the night before hiking in. One goes right at the fork on the road to the trailhead, passing through the "4-wheel drive only" sign. The unsigned route really is 4-wheel drive only, though in fact it can be managed with some trouble in a low-clearance Chevy compact. Arrived at the trailhead late at night, August 6, 2009. After a late start the next morning, we made it to Taboose Pass in about 6 hours, and pulled in to Bench Lake at around 5pm.
On Day 2 we descended directly from Bench Lake to South Fork Kings River, starting somewhat west of the Bench Lake outlet. We climbed the other side until meeting the trail near the stream draining the lower of the two larger lakes in the basin south of Cartridge Pass. At this point, the sole of my buddy's right Asolo boot decided to rip loose, leaving only the heel attached. After careful deliberation we decided he should exit, and meet me on Day 6 in Palisade Basin. I climbed up to the tiny lake just south of Cartridge Pass, passing south and west of the lake, before climbing northeast to the top. Both sides of Cartridge Pass are very easy. Walked into Lakes Basin, pitching camp at an established spot overlooking Lake 10632, Marion Lake, and the impressive wall of mountains behind them.
On Day 3 I crossed Dumbbell Lakes Pass. The south side is completely trivial, and the north side is easy if one remembers to stay west, to avoid a mighty boulder field. I camped right at Lake 11108, finding few established spots.
On Day 4 (lay day) I toured the basin, walking up to Observation Peak for a spectacular view, then descending to the beautiful lake just to the south, which features islands and a sandy beach.
On Day 5 I hiked over Cataract Pass (class 2). The snow cornice at the top was small enough to allow easy passage, though when viewed from Amphitheater Lake it appears to be impassable. With more snow one might have to find an alternate route to the north, probably class 3. The hike down Cataract Creek was easy, except near the bottom where the temperature climbs, the country gets a bit thick, and then there's a bog. I would like to find an easy route bypassing these problems, from lower Cataract Creek northeast toward PCT. Higher up on the trail I heard an outlandish sound, which turned out to be two coyotes, mating. I tried to be discreet but they heard me, and sprinted up a boulder field on the eastern side. I also visited the Prospect, well worth a quick inspection. In all, I spent three full days without meeting a soul. Then I met a guy named John in Palisade Basin, and he was the first person I talked to since the middle of Day 2. Really appreciated meeting someone of like mind, after the days of solitude.
On Day 6 I hiked from the lake above the outlet to lower Palisade Lake to Cirque Pass, then over Potluck Pass, and camped at one of the Barrett Lakes. There was slightly more snow on Cirque Pass than I encountered last year, and I had to take off my pack and drag it after me through the chute on the western side. A little more snow would raise the difficulty of this crossing from class 2 to 3. I met up with my buddy that night.
On Day 7 we hiked up to Thunderbolt Pass just to see it, and saw four guys who had come in on Scimitar Pass. Nice looking group, though at least one of them appeared to be less than thrilled with the crossing. On Day 8 we exited via Bishop Pass, making it to the parking lot at around 2. A great trip! Many thanks to those who recommended Dumbbell Lakes Basin on the High Sierra Topix website. I'll try to post some of my pictures.