TR: A Day or Two in the Pioneer Basin
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 8:37 pm
Spent the last 4 days of Summer in the Pioneer Basin area. Fantastic weather, great times, and of course the beauty that is the Sierra Nevada.
We left September 16 from Mosquito Flat and went to the Fourth Recess Lake.
Our destination.
A smoky Fourth Recess Lake. There was a tent here and a camp that looked like nobody had been at in a few days. Unfortunately a fire pit and some plastic water bottles as well.
We left around 10:AM or so for the Pioneer Basin.
Almost there. Mono Pass and Fourth Recess in the background.
It was one of my friends first trip to the High Sierra. We initially set up camp at the north end of lake 10862. Scott thought we we going to stay there as did we. Scott unpacked most of his things. Greg and I did not for some reason.
Scott, at what he thinks will be home for the next couple of nights.
We were set up on the peninsula.
We took a little stroll and discovered this gem, Lake 11026. Greg and I knew immediately we were moving camp here, it's only about 10 minutes from where our packs are. We love the big views and our initial site did not have one.
The boys dancing with excitement.
Enjoying the end of the "magic" hour in our kitchen.
Sunrise, Mt Hopkins.
Breakfast view from the kitchen.
Camp.
Reflections.
More reflections.
On day three we wanted to climb a peak. Mt Crocker was close and easy. We climbed the gap to the left.
Typical Sierra scree.
Mt Dade?, Mt Gabb? and the Third and Second Recesses.
Red Slate Mt and the Mcgee Lakes. Must go here.
Mt Baldwin.
Pioneer Lakes Basin.
On day 4 we hiked back to Mosquito Flat. About a mile and a half into our walk out we ran into a couple in their mid-seventies who were headed into the basin, they were the first people we had seen since day 1. They suggested we go up Golden Creek Canyon to Golden Lake to avoid the switchbacks by Trail Lakes, the old guy said we'd thank him later. I'm not too sure about that.
Golden Creek.
Golden Lake. We had to hop on some appliance size boulders for about 15 minutes then stroll up drainage before running into the trail. The switchbacks on the main trail were dusty and rocky and full of horse poop, kinda debatable which would have been better but this way was different so it's all good.
Bear Creek Spire? and Mt Abbot?
Red and White Mtn, Red Slate Mtn, Mt Baldwin pano from Crocker.
Mt Starr to Mt Mills from camp.
As usual the Sierra did not disappoint. Our first time into that area. Way too much horse crap everywhere, didn't enjoy the sandy soil that seemed to be trampled by endless horse trains but the beauty is unsurpassed.
We left September 16 from Mosquito Flat and went to the Fourth Recess Lake.
Our destination.
A smoky Fourth Recess Lake. There was a tent here and a camp that looked like nobody had been at in a few days. Unfortunately a fire pit and some plastic water bottles as well.
We left around 10:AM or so for the Pioneer Basin.
Almost there. Mono Pass and Fourth Recess in the background.
It was one of my friends first trip to the High Sierra. We initially set up camp at the north end of lake 10862. Scott thought we we going to stay there as did we. Scott unpacked most of his things. Greg and I did not for some reason.
Scott, at what he thinks will be home for the next couple of nights.
We were set up on the peninsula.
We took a little stroll and discovered this gem, Lake 11026. Greg and I knew immediately we were moving camp here, it's only about 10 minutes from where our packs are. We love the big views and our initial site did not have one.
The boys dancing with excitement.
Enjoying the end of the "magic" hour in our kitchen.
Sunrise, Mt Hopkins.
Breakfast view from the kitchen.
Camp.
Reflections.
More reflections.
On day three we wanted to climb a peak. Mt Crocker was close and easy. We climbed the gap to the left.
Typical Sierra scree.
Mt Dade?, Mt Gabb? and the Third and Second Recesses.
Red Slate Mt and the Mcgee Lakes. Must go here.
Mt Baldwin.
Pioneer Lakes Basin.
On day 4 we hiked back to Mosquito Flat. About a mile and a half into our walk out we ran into a couple in their mid-seventies who were headed into the basin, they were the first people we had seen since day 1. They suggested we go up Golden Creek Canyon to Golden Lake to avoid the switchbacks by Trail Lakes, the old guy said we'd thank him later. I'm not too sure about that.
Golden Creek.
Golden Lake. We had to hop on some appliance size boulders for about 15 minutes then stroll up drainage before running into the trail. The switchbacks on the main trail were dusty and rocky and full of horse poop, kinda debatable which would have been better but this way was different so it's all good.
Bear Creek Spire? and Mt Abbot?
Red and White Mtn, Red Slate Mtn, Mt Baldwin pano from Crocker.
Mt Starr to Mt Mills from camp.
As usual the Sierra did not disappoint. Our first time into that area. Way too much horse crap everywhere, didn't enjoy the sandy soil that seemed to be trampled by endless horse trains but the beauty is unsurpassed.