High Sierra Topix

Went from Onion Valley up to Mt. Gould, then down to Rae Lakes, and back over Glenn Pass. In lieu of a full trip report, here are some photos!

Left Los Angeles around 1:30 and were on the trail to Kearsarge pass by 5:15. Felt a few drops of rain but nothing came of it.


Camped at Gilbert Lake- it was really windy. The next morning, from Kearsarge Pass, headed up Mt. Gould.


The summit blocks were fun and we earned some great views of Rae Lakes and the King Spur.


What's with all the weather equipment near the summit?


Had planned to walk the ridge over to Mt. Rixford but didn't have the energy, so I decided descending this ridge to Rae Lakes would be a good idea.


It wasn't.


Not sure what I was thinking, and very lucky neither of us got hurt. Note the weather tower in the upper left to help judge scale.


Camped between the two lakes. The next morning we walked north a mile or so to see the area.


Rae Lakes has got to be one of the most scenic places in the world.




Took the PCT over Glenn Pass


Headed back up Kearsarge Pass and were at the car 48 hours after we began


Fun, quick trip, here are the rest of the photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/travistetz ... 303533455/

Great pics. Thanks for posting

Nice pic's, and yes the Rae Lakes area is gorgeous.

Great trip- thanks for the pics.

trav867 >>>"Had planned to walk the ridge over to Mt. Rixford but didn't have the energy, so I decided descending this ridge to Rae Lakes would be a good idea. It wsn't. Not sure what I was thinking, and very lucky neither of us got hurt. Note the weather tower in the upper left to help judge scale."

When roaming crosscountry especially about Sierra Crest areas, one ought be using their topographic maps religiously instead of having them buried deep in a pack. Although some areas may easily be sized up by eyesight alone, in unfamiliar steeper areas there are a great many areas that at ridgelines appear negotiable looking down, only to cliff out below where it is difficult to see over terrain knees. That is because huge glaciers that created many of our granite canyon features ground away on the walls in a U-shaped manner.

trav867

Gould is site of NPS repeater for radios used by backcountry rangers. Used to be an antenna like one on right in your photo at Roaring River Ranger Station.

Mike