Memories of years past: Best trips and best "seasons"
Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:30 pm
Hi folks, as we sit and daydream about next summer and summers past, I figured this might be a good time for folks to post their lists of the favorite trips they've ever done and their favorite 'seasons' of years past.
Here are mine:
All time favorite trips:
1. Dumbbell Lakes 1993 (with wife (Judy)). D1 to Dusy 11393 from South Lake/Parchers Camp, D2 to Deer Meadow via Knapsack Pass and Barrett Creek, D3 to Dumbbell Lakes, D4 layover plus climb of Observation Pk, D5, extra layover in basin, D6 explore lake W of Observation then move camp to Amphitheather, D7 (epic) Amphitheater to South Lake (or Parchers Camp, more correctly) via Cataract Creek, Barrett Creek, Knapsack and Bishop Passes. Very high water conditions with many stream crossings and some interesting snow conditions. Easily our favorite trip.
2 Ring Around the Goddard 1994 (with Judy). D1 to Darwin Bench from North Lake, D2 through Evolution over Wanda Pass through Ionian Basin, camped at Ionian Basin lake above Goddard Creek 10212. D3 climb Scylla then move camp to 10212, dayhike to lake 9760 downstream. D4 dayhike to Blue Canyon lakes. D5 climb Mt. Reinstein move camp to Martha. D6 to lake above Sapphire via Davis, dayhike to McGee Lakes. D7 Lake above Sapphire to North Lake. Most of this trip was improvised as it unfolded and turned out to be much more interesting than the original in and out (rather than loop) plan.
3. Whitney 15' NS and then some 1996 (with Judy). D1 to High Lake out of Cottonwood. D2 over New Army split off trail to Upper Soldier then into Miter Basin with pause at Sky Blue. Camp below Crabtree Pass. D3 over Crabtree Pass pause at Crabtree 3 then briefly pick up trail, then leave it for drainage of southern side of Wallace Creek. stay at unnamed lake. D4 move camp to Wallace Lake. Climb Mt Barnard (still had original 1936 register). D5 move camp to Wright Lakes dayhike to Versteeg, D6 camp move to Kern 11440 dayhike to lakes below Forrester. D7 Big dayhike loop visiting many upper Kern lakes. D8 Move camp over Shepherd Pass to somewhere near the Pothole (some dayhiking to special destinations done en route). D9 out to Symmes Creek trailhead.
4. "Mordor I" 2002 (with two death march buddies Todd Ramsden and Cliff Riebe) D1 from Wolverton to somewhere near the Tablelands. D2 long Tablelands traverse then descend past Big Bear thence up the side of Glacier Ridge. D3 over the top of Glacier Ridge to Josephine L. D4 descend to Cloud Canyon then up to Colby. I explore "upper Colby". Cliff climbs Midway. D4 over Colby Pass, dayhike attempt at Lake 11482 fails owing to illness camp below Colby Pass D5 over Triple Divide Pass, Cliff and I climb Triple Divide Pk, then on to Lion Lake. View of Kaweahs shrouded in forest fire smoke evokes images of Mordor, hence the name. D6 Lion L. to Buck Canyon. D7 to Wolverton.
5. Mordor II 2003 (with Todd and Cliff). D1 Crescent Meadow to Big Hamilton L. D2 to Nine Lakes Basin, summit of Mt Stewart denied by thunderstorms. D3 layover to try Mt Kaweah; summit denied by thunderstorms. D4 over Pants Pass to L. 10875. D5 to Kaweah Basin over the top of Picket Guard Peak (nifty) through Picket drainage and on to Kaweah Basin. D6 explore Red Spur lakes move camp over Kaweah Pass to Chagoopa Creek. D7 very long day of hiking to reach Buck Canyon. D8 Buck Canyon to Crescent Meadow.
6. Tunechuck 2008. (with Todd) D1 Crown Basin from Hoffman Mtn. D2. by Humminbird and into Blue Canyon climb Finger Peak and also hike to lower Blue Canyon lake. D3 dayhike to Tunemah Lake and basin below it then move camp to Hummingbird. D4 to Maxon Lake then to Scepter, and Crown Lake, with camp at Woodchuck. D5 investigate Marsh and Chimney Lake and head for Hoffman Mtn. roadend. Probably my best High Sierra fishing trip. Amazing amount of mellow cross country.
7. Upper San Joaquin 1994 ("warmup" for Ring Around the Goddard) with Todd and Judy. D1 Granite Creek to Rockbound L. D2 move camp to Blue Lake then dayhike to Harriet Lake. D3 Climb Foerster Pk, descend into Lyell Fork Merced then climb Electra Peak then loop back to camp. One of finest hiking days we've ever had. D4 dayhike to Twin Island Lakes. D5 out to trailhead. Makes list because of day 3 as well as the unbelievable view from Foerster Peak.
Best "Seasons" (1992, 1993, 1994, 1997) with no particular ranking.
1992
4-18 day trip with Judy to Swamp Lake above Hetch Hetchy
5-9 to 5-10 backpack with Judy to Roosevelt and Lane Lakes out of Leavitt Mdw.
5-14 to 5-17 backpack with Judy and Todd Ramsden to L 5680, Edyth Lake, Bearup L and vicinity.
Memorial Day weekend. Shasta dayhike with Judy and Todd. warmup dayhike day before in Castle Crags wilderness.
6-6 daytrip with Judy and her brother Glenn to Little Deer L, and Smith L. ("W") Lakes Basin area.
6-14. Ebbetts Pass daytrip with Judy (messed up by late snowstorm).
6-20 to 6-23 backpack with Judy to Iceland Lake and vicinity (Ridge, Sardella, Lewis'), Emigrant Wilderness including hike to Long Lake.
7-3 to 7-6 backpack with Judy. supposed to be Bear Basin trip but failure to get under quota causes audible to Convict Canyon. includes backpack up the beautiful slot canyon outlet of L. Genevieve and crossing the crest to Ram Lakes basin.
7-25 to 7-26 backpack with dad and my brother, Paul to Burro Lake with Excelsior Mtn peakbag.
8-13 to 8-16 combo dayhike and backpack with Judy. second try to get to Bear Basin. denied permit again, then 8-13 dayhike to Ruwau. Get permit, then too many thunderstorms truncate trip and lead it to Royce Lakes instead (8-14 to 8-16). Started reserving permits year after this.
8-29 dayhike to Oneida Lake with Doug Hamilton and his sons.
9-5 to 9-7 Bear Basin backpack with Judy. Yes too short. D1 into Bear Basin (mostly Black Bear, Bearpaw and Vee Lakes) from Pine Creek.
9-19 to 9-20 backpack with Judy to Fisher Lake, S of 80.
9-26 to 9-27 backpack with Judy to Shepherd L via Saddlebag, Yosemite (yes, Shepherd is fishless).
10-17 to 10-18 backpack with Judy to Crag Lake, Desolation Wilderness.
11-7 season finale dayhike to Hawley Lake, Lakes Basin over snow.
1993
5-29 to 5-30 backpack with Judy to Roosevelt and Lane Lakes.
6-19 to 6-20 backpack with Judy to Fisher L. S of 80
6-26 to 6-27 motel stay trip with Judy to I80 country. 6-26 Lower Lola Montez L. 6-27 first trip to the "Land of the Giant Brookies" (named on the trip--where the GB screen name originates): unnamed lakes between Sterling and Fordyce. Unbelievable fishing, hence the name. All of these lakes are fishless now.
7-2 to 7-5 backpack with Judy and Todd in the Marble Mtns. d1 to Snyder L., then to Cuddihy Lake, also to Hooligan L. (big brush crawl).
7-24 to 7-30 backpack with Judy Dumbbell Lakes, KCNP. 11393, Barrett Creek, Amphitheater L., Dumbbell Lake, climb of Observation Peak, exploration of lake W of Observation, epic last day going from Amphitheater to trailhead.
8-13 to 8-14 car camping trip with Judy to Dana Lakes and West Lake
8-29 day trip with Judy to Barbara Lake, Grouse Ridge area
9-4 to 9-7 backpack with Judy to Doe and Tallulah Lakes, N. Yosemite. via Slide Canyon.
10-8 to 10-9 backpack with Judy to Land of the Giant Brookies
10-17 daytrip with Judy to Hidden Lake, Loon Lake area
10-30 daytrip with Judy to Deadwood and Evergreen Lakes, Mokelumne Wilderness.
11-7 daytrip with Judy to Long L., Baltimore L., Wagon Wheel lake N of 80.
1994
5-22 day trip with Judy to Tuttle L. N of 80 (surprised by smallmouth bass) then try Dan Lake S of 80.
5-28 to 5-30 combo backpack and dayhiking with Judy. Land of the Giant Brookies and Grouse Ridge area
6-12 daytrip with Judy to Hidden and Spider Lakes, Loon L. area
6-17 to 6-19 backpack with Judy to unnamed giant brookie lake in somewhere NE Yosemite.
7-1 to 7-5 Backpack with Judy N San Joaquin "West of the Ritter Range" Rockbound, Blue Lakes, Harriet Lakes, Twin Island Lakes, Lyell Fork Merced Lakes (fishless), climbs of Foerster and Electra Peaks.
7-16 dayhike with Judy to Bonnie Lake, Kaiser Wilderness
7-23 to 7-29 backpack with Judy: Ring Around the Goddard. Darwin Cyn, Wanda Pass, Ionian Basin, L10212, Blue Canyon, Martha Lake, Davis L., McGee Lakes, climbs of Scylla and Mt Reinstein.
8-27 to 8-28 anniversary weekend motel stay (Quincy) with Judy. 8-27 climb English Mtn and visit Echo L. 8-28. Spencer Lakes, Lakes Basin area.
9-9 to 9-12 backpack with Judy to East Lake, KCNP. East Lake, Reflection L., Golden L. climb of Mt. Ericsson.
9-17 to 9-18 motel stay trip with Judy, dad and mom. 9-17 climb of Mt. Rose. 9-18 Land of the Giant Brookies
10-1 to 10-2 backpack with Judy to Lower Velma L. , Desolation.
10-7 to 10-9 backpack with Judy to Buck Island L. ; Hidden L., Fawn L., Rockbound L.
10-21 to 10-22 backpack with Judy to Heather L., Desolation.
1997 "Year of 100 Lakes" (105 different lakes fished)
5-24 to 5-25 backpack with Judy and Dale Olds to Fern and Long Lakes, N of Desolation.
5-31 daytrip with Judy to Grouse Ridge area (Lindsays, Culbertson, Penner)
6-14 daytrip with Judy: loop to Vandeburg, Lady,Jackass Lakes, Ansel Adams W.
6-27 to 6-29 backpack with Judy to Rutherford L., Ansel Adams W. (also Post Lakes, Slab Lakes) attempt at Edna called off because of snow conditions.
7-4 to 7-11 backpack with Judy "Sawboose" (Sawmill to Taboose Pass). Sawmill L, Woods L, Window L., Bench L. (and others), climb of Arrow Peak.
7-25 to 7-26 backpack with Judy to Topsy Turvy L. area. Echo L. Blue Heaven L.
8-3 car camp with dad and Judy. climb Mt. Gibbs.
8-7 to 8-11 backpack with Judy and Todd. "Astride the Glacier Divide" Darwin Canyon, north side Evolution, over divide, up Piute Creek, Knob L., Tomahawk L., French Canyon Lakes, climb of Pilot Knob.
9-19 daytrip with Judy to Sixteen Shot L. and Moss' Lake (N Desolation)
10-11 to 10-12 car camp with Judy and Karen Okusu. Very short trips between Ebbetts and Carson Passes
10-17 to 10-19 backpack with Judy and Dale to Desolation. "The Lunker Loop". Gilmore-Heather-Aloha-Lake of the Woods-Triangle
10-31 to 11-1 car camping with Judy; Land of the Giant Brookies and Jamison Creek area N of Lakes Basin.
Here are mine:
All time favorite trips:
1. Dumbbell Lakes 1993 (with wife (Judy)). D1 to Dusy 11393 from South Lake/Parchers Camp, D2 to Deer Meadow via Knapsack Pass and Barrett Creek, D3 to Dumbbell Lakes, D4 layover plus climb of Observation Pk, D5, extra layover in basin, D6 explore lake W of Observation then move camp to Amphitheather, D7 (epic) Amphitheater to South Lake (or Parchers Camp, more correctly) via Cataract Creek, Barrett Creek, Knapsack and Bishop Passes. Very high water conditions with many stream crossings and some interesting snow conditions. Easily our favorite trip.
2 Ring Around the Goddard 1994 (with Judy). D1 to Darwin Bench from North Lake, D2 through Evolution over Wanda Pass through Ionian Basin, camped at Ionian Basin lake above Goddard Creek 10212. D3 climb Scylla then move camp to 10212, dayhike to lake 9760 downstream. D4 dayhike to Blue Canyon lakes. D5 climb Mt. Reinstein move camp to Martha. D6 to lake above Sapphire via Davis, dayhike to McGee Lakes. D7 Lake above Sapphire to North Lake. Most of this trip was improvised as it unfolded and turned out to be much more interesting than the original in and out (rather than loop) plan.
3. Whitney 15' NS and then some 1996 (with Judy). D1 to High Lake out of Cottonwood. D2 over New Army split off trail to Upper Soldier then into Miter Basin with pause at Sky Blue. Camp below Crabtree Pass. D3 over Crabtree Pass pause at Crabtree 3 then briefly pick up trail, then leave it for drainage of southern side of Wallace Creek. stay at unnamed lake. D4 move camp to Wallace Lake. Climb Mt Barnard (still had original 1936 register). D5 move camp to Wright Lakes dayhike to Versteeg, D6 camp move to Kern 11440 dayhike to lakes below Forrester. D7 Big dayhike loop visiting many upper Kern lakes. D8 Move camp over Shepherd Pass to somewhere near the Pothole (some dayhiking to special destinations done en route). D9 out to Symmes Creek trailhead.
4. "Mordor I" 2002 (with two death march buddies Todd Ramsden and Cliff Riebe) D1 from Wolverton to somewhere near the Tablelands. D2 long Tablelands traverse then descend past Big Bear thence up the side of Glacier Ridge. D3 over the top of Glacier Ridge to Josephine L. D4 descend to Cloud Canyon then up to Colby. I explore "upper Colby". Cliff climbs Midway. D4 over Colby Pass, dayhike attempt at Lake 11482 fails owing to illness camp below Colby Pass D5 over Triple Divide Pass, Cliff and I climb Triple Divide Pk, then on to Lion Lake. View of Kaweahs shrouded in forest fire smoke evokes images of Mordor, hence the name. D6 Lion L. to Buck Canyon. D7 to Wolverton.
5. Mordor II 2003 (with Todd and Cliff). D1 Crescent Meadow to Big Hamilton L. D2 to Nine Lakes Basin, summit of Mt Stewart denied by thunderstorms. D3 layover to try Mt Kaweah; summit denied by thunderstorms. D4 over Pants Pass to L. 10875. D5 to Kaweah Basin over the top of Picket Guard Peak (nifty) through Picket drainage and on to Kaweah Basin. D6 explore Red Spur lakes move camp over Kaweah Pass to Chagoopa Creek. D7 very long day of hiking to reach Buck Canyon. D8 Buck Canyon to Crescent Meadow.
6. Tunechuck 2008. (with Todd) D1 Crown Basin from Hoffman Mtn. D2. by Humminbird and into Blue Canyon climb Finger Peak and also hike to lower Blue Canyon lake. D3 dayhike to Tunemah Lake and basin below it then move camp to Hummingbird. D4 to Maxon Lake then to Scepter, and Crown Lake, with camp at Woodchuck. D5 investigate Marsh and Chimney Lake and head for Hoffman Mtn. roadend. Probably my best High Sierra fishing trip. Amazing amount of mellow cross country.
7. Upper San Joaquin 1994 ("warmup" for Ring Around the Goddard) with Todd and Judy. D1 Granite Creek to Rockbound L. D2 move camp to Blue Lake then dayhike to Harriet Lake. D3 Climb Foerster Pk, descend into Lyell Fork Merced then climb Electra Peak then loop back to camp. One of finest hiking days we've ever had. D4 dayhike to Twin Island Lakes. D5 out to trailhead. Makes list because of day 3 as well as the unbelievable view from Foerster Peak.
Best "Seasons" (1992, 1993, 1994, 1997) with no particular ranking.
1992
4-18 day trip with Judy to Swamp Lake above Hetch Hetchy
5-9 to 5-10 backpack with Judy to Roosevelt and Lane Lakes out of Leavitt Mdw.
5-14 to 5-17 backpack with Judy and Todd Ramsden to L 5680, Edyth Lake, Bearup L and vicinity.
Memorial Day weekend. Shasta dayhike with Judy and Todd. warmup dayhike day before in Castle Crags wilderness.
6-6 daytrip with Judy and her brother Glenn to Little Deer L, and Smith L. ("W") Lakes Basin area.
6-14. Ebbetts Pass daytrip with Judy (messed up by late snowstorm).
6-20 to 6-23 backpack with Judy to Iceland Lake and vicinity (Ridge, Sardella, Lewis'), Emigrant Wilderness including hike to Long Lake.
7-3 to 7-6 backpack with Judy. supposed to be Bear Basin trip but failure to get under quota causes audible to Convict Canyon. includes backpack up the beautiful slot canyon outlet of L. Genevieve and crossing the crest to Ram Lakes basin.
7-25 to 7-26 backpack with dad and my brother, Paul to Burro Lake with Excelsior Mtn peakbag.
8-13 to 8-16 combo dayhike and backpack with Judy. second try to get to Bear Basin. denied permit again, then 8-13 dayhike to Ruwau. Get permit, then too many thunderstorms truncate trip and lead it to Royce Lakes instead (8-14 to 8-16). Started reserving permits year after this.
8-29 dayhike to Oneida Lake with Doug Hamilton and his sons.
9-5 to 9-7 Bear Basin backpack with Judy. Yes too short. D1 into Bear Basin (mostly Black Bear, Bearpaw and Vee Lakes) from Pine Creek.
9-19 to 9-20 backpack with Judy to Fisher Lake, S of 80.
9-26 to 9-27 backpack with Judy to Shepherd L via Saddlebag, Yosemite (yes, Shepherd is fishless).
10-17 to 10-18 backpack with Judy to Crag Lake, Desolation Wilderness.
11-7 season finale dayhike to Hawley Lake, Lakes Basin over snow.
1993
5-29 to 5-30 backpack with Judy to Roosevelt and Lane Lakes.
6-19 to 6-20 backpack with Judy to Fisher L. S of 80
6-26 to 6-27 motel stay trip with Judy to I80 country. 6-26 Lower Lola Montez L. 6-27 first trip to the "Land of the Giant Brookies" (named on the trip--where the GB screen name originates): unnamed lakes between Sterling and Fordyce. Unbelievable fishing, hence the name. All of these lakes are fishless now.
7-2 to 7-5 backpack with Judy and Todd in the Marble Mtns. d1 to Snyder L., then to Cuddihy Lake, also to Hooligan L. (big brush crawl).
7-24 to 7-30 backpack with Judy Dumbbell Lakes, KCNP. 11393, Barrett Creek, Amphitheater L., Dumbbell Lake, climb of Observation Peak, exploration of lake W of Observation, epic last day going from Amphitheater to trailhead.
8-13 to 8-14 car camping trip with Judy to Dana Lakes and West Lake
8-29 day trip with Judy to Barbara Lake, Grouse Ridge area
9-4 to 9-7 backpack with Judy to Doe and Tallulah Lakes, N. Yosemite. via Slide Canyon.
10-8 to 10-9 backpack with Judy to Land of the Giant Brookies
10-17 daytrip with Judy to Hidden Lake, Loon Lake area
10-30 daytrip with Judy to Deadwood and Evergreen Lakes, Mokelumne Wilderness.
11-7 daytrip with Judy to Long L., Baltimore L., Wagon Wheel lake N of 80.
1994
5-22 day trip with Judy to Tuttle L. N of 80 (surprised by smallmouth bass) then try Dan Lake S of 80.
5-28 to 5-30 combo backpack and dayhiking with Judy. Land of the Giant Brookies and Grouse Ridge area
6-12 daytrip with Judy to Hidden and Spider Lakes, Loon L. area
6-17 to 6-19 backpack with Judy to unnamed giant brookie lake in somewhere NE Yosemite.
7-1 to 7-5 Backpack with Judy N San Joaquin "West of the Ritter Range" Rockbound, Blue Lakes, Harriet Lakes, Twin Island Lakes, Lyell Fork Merced Lakes (fishless), climbs of Foerster and Electra Peaks.
7-16 dayhike with Judy to Bonnie Lake, Kaiser Wilderness
7-23 to 7-29 backpack with Judy: Ring Around the Goddard. Darwin Cyn, Wanda Pass, Ionian Basin, L10212, Blue Canyon, Martha Lake, Davis L., McGee Lakes, climbs of Scylla and Mt Reinstein.
8-27 to 8-28 anniversary weekend motel stay (Quincy) with Judy. 8-27 climb English Mtn and visit Echo L. 8-28. Spencer Lakes, Lakes Basin area.
9-9 to 9-12 backpack with Judy to East Lake, KCNP. East Lake, Reflection L., Golden L. climb of Mt. Ericsson.
9-17 to 9-18 motel stay trip with Judy, dad and mom. 9-17 climb of Mt. Rose. 9-18 Land of the Giant Brookies
10-1 to 10-2 backpack with Judy to Lower Velma L. , Desolation.
10-7 to 10-9 backpack with Judy to Buck Island L. ; Hidden L., Fawn L., Rockbound L.
10-21 to 10-22 backpack with Judy to Heather L., Desolation.
1997 "Year of 100 Lakes" (105 different lakes fished)
5-24 to 5-25 backpack with Judy and Dale Olds to Fern and Long Lakes, N of Desolation.
5-31 daytrip with Judy to Grouse Ridge area (Lindsays, Culbertson, Penner)
6-14 daytrip with Judy: loop to Vandeburg, Lady,Jackass Lakes, Ansel Adams W.
6-27 to 6-29 backpack with Judy to Rutherford L., Ansel Adams W. (also Post Lakes, Slab Lakes) attempt at Edna called off because of snow conditions.
7-4 to 7-11 backpack with Judy "Sawboose" (Sawmill to Taboose Pass). Sawmill L, Woods L, Window L., Bench L. (and others), climb of Arrow Peak.
7-25 to 7-26 backpack with Judy to Topsy Turvy L. area. Echo L. Blue Heaven L.
8-3 car camp with dad and Judy. climb Mt. Gibbs.
8-7 to 8-11 backpack with Judy and Todd. "Astride the Glacier Divide" Darwin Canyon, north side Evolution, over divide, up Piute Creek, Knob L., Tomahawk L., French Canyon Lakes, climb of Pilot Knob.
9-19 daytrip with Judy to Sixteen Shot L. and Moss' Lake (N Desolation)
10-11 to 10-12 car camp with Judy and Karen Okusu. Very short trips between Ebbetts and Carson Passes
10-17 to 10-19 backpack with Judy and Dale to Desolation. "The Lunker Loop". Gilmore-Heather-Aloha-Lake of the Woods-Triangle
10-31 to 11-1 car camping with Judy; Land of the Giant Brookies and Jamison Creek area N of Lakes Basin.