Lakes Basin via Taboose (Observation Peak, more)
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:01 pm
Hi kids! Hope you're enjoying our Sierra this summer!
We (three of us) have a trip coming up in a few weeks (starting Aug 6).
Normally I'd be pretty confident in settling plans ahead of time but as you are all well aware, this year is a bit different. When we started outlining this trip last year we had no idea what kind of winter we were in for...
Anyways, some of this is just asking for beta, some of this is just running a plan by a lot of other experienced people to see what you would do. Feedback most welcome, especially regarding expected snow conditions. In a 'regular' year I wouldn't be so worried about that, but going into unfamiliar terrain with this year's conditions has me a bit more cautious.
The original goal of this trip was to explore Lakes Basin and climb Observation Pk.
Permit: going in and out Taboose Pass. Entering Saturday Aug 6. Exiting the following Saturday or Sunday (flexible, would like Saturday but could exit Sunday if need be).
Backpacking Level: 4 Everyone is strong and experienced. That said, it's partially new terrain for all three of us, it's the first trip longer than a ~weekend that we've taken this summer, so we want to be conservative in the planning. Better to get further and have more time to play than to over commit. Although we are capable of cranking out the miles, we don't necessarily want to feel rushed.
Class: 2-3, depends on whether I have a pack on or not. We're all skilled scramblers and some of us have tech rock climbing skills though on this trip we will not carry any technical gear. Thus the sticking to class 2ish (with pack). Main goal is to climb peaks, get away from crowds, fish, explore.
With that said, here is a tentative itinerary with some questions:
Sat: Hike towards Taboose. Conservative plan: won't make it over on day 1, camp east side of pass somewhere.
Sun: Down west side of Taboose, along south fork of Kings towards Cartridge Pass. Camp at one of lakes south of cartridge.
Open Question: We're really wondering about the stretch along the kings. I've heard nightmare tales of deadfall, rockfall, back-and-forth crossings, etc. Hours to traverse a mile. I've also found mokelumnekid's trip report(s) from that area including this photo that makes it sound not-as-miserable.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mokelumnek ... 2305050081" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It sounds like it is best to stay on the north side of the water and traverse the rockfalls.
Does anyone have GPS track? Waypoints? Suggestions for getting around the obstacles, connecting back to trail up Cartridge (from what I understand, the trail is still pretty find-able once you climb out of the south fork - correct me if I'm wrong)
Mon: Over cartridge pass into Lakes Basin. Rest of day exploring basin. Ideally we will make it here on Sunday and will have the entire day to explore, but like I said: being conservative.
Tues: Over to Dumbbell Lakes
Open question: What is the deal with Dumbbell Pass? I keep finding conflicting information about the north side route. It looks like you take the ramp to the northeast, but
apparently it walls-out at the lake and it is better to head northwest. Again, mokelumnekid's reports have been really helpful (thanks!) but other reports out there have confused me a bit.
Wed: Observation Peak (maybe Shakspear depending on how we feel about that ridge - who named that peak anyways? Spell check, people.... )
Thurs (plan A): Dumbbell lakes to Bench Lake (ish? - this could be a big day depending on Dumbbell) via Cartridge
Fri (plan A): Arrow Peak
Sat (plan A): Head out
Sun (plan A): Finish hike out if we don't go all the way on Sat
ALT:
Thus (plan B): Frozen Lake Pass or Vennacher Col into Upper Basin
Open question: which pass would you use? I have a feeling that Frozen Lake Pass won't be workable this year if we don't carry our ice axes.
Vennacher col looks like a promising alternate but again - not much info out there. Would be fun to bag the Needle too....
Fri (plan B): Split Mtn
Sat (plan B): Head out
Sun (plan B): Finish hike if we don't go all the way on Sat
Of course there is also plan C which would be avoiding Lakes Basin entirely and screwing around on the peaks of Bench Lake and Upper Basin (I still have to do Split...), but that would kind of remove the original goal of the trip. And would be closer to people. But it's not off the table if conditions dictate it and it makes the trip a bit more manageable.
Oh, asks MrC: how is the fishing in Lakes Basin?
Anyways, thanks for reading my rambling trip plan. Love to hear your thoughts. There is a lot of great stuff up there, I'm now wishing i had another week....
We (three of us) have a trip coming up in a few weeks (starting Aug 6).
Normally I'd be pretty confident in settling plans ahead of time but as you are all well aware, this year is a bit different. When we started outlining this trip last year we had no idea what kind of winter we were in for...
Anyways, some of this is just asking for beta, some of this is just running a plan by a lot of other experienced people to see what you would do. Feedback most welcome, especially regarding expected snow conditions. In a 'regular' year I wouldn't be so worried about that, but going into unfamiliar terrain with this year's conditions has me a bit more cautious.
The original goal of this trip was to explore Lakes Basin and climb Observation Pk.
Permit: going in and out Taboose Pass. Entering Saturday Aug 6. Exiting the following Saturday or Sunday (flexible, would like Saturday but could exit Sunday if need be).
Backpacking Level: 4 Everyone is strong and experienced. That said, it's partially new terrain for all three of us, it's the first trip longer than a ~weekend that we've taken this summer, so we want to be conservative in the planning. Better to get further and have more time to play than to over commit. Although we are capable of cranking out the miles, we don't necessarily want to feel rushed.
Class: 2-3, depends on whether I have a pack on or not. We're all skilled scramblers and some of us have tech rock climbing skills though on this trip we will not carry any technical gear. Thus the sticking to class 2ish (with pack). Main goal is to climb peaks, get away from crowds, fish, explore.
With that said, here is a tentative itinerary with some questions:
Sat: Hike towards Taboose. Conservative plan: won't make it over on day 1, camp east side of pass somewhere.
Sun: Down west side of Taboose, along south fork of Kings towards Cartridge Pass. Camp at one of lakes south of cartridge.
Open Question: We're really wondering about the stretch along the kings. I've heard nightmare tales of deadfall, rockfall, back-and-forth crossings, etc. Hours to traverse a mile. I've also found mokelumnekid's trip report(s) from that area including this photo that makes it sound not-as-miserable.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mokelumnek ... 2305050081" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It sounds like it is best to stay on the north side of the water and traverse the rockfalls.
Does anyone have GPS track? Waypoints? Suggestions for getting around the obstacles, connecting back to trail up Cartridge (from what I understand, the trail is still pretty find-able once you climb out of the south fork - correct me if I'm wrong)
Mon: Over cartridge pass into Lakes Basin. Rest of day exploring basin. Ideally we will make it here on Sunday and will have the entire day to explore, but like I said: being conservative.
Tues: Over to Dumbbell Lakes
Open question: What is the deal with Dumbbell Pass? I keep finding conflicting information about the north side route. It looks like you take the ramp to the northeast, but
apparently it walls-out at the lake and it is better to head northwest. Again, mokelumnekid's reports have been really helpful (thanks!) but other reports out there have confused me a bit.
Wed: Observation Peak (maybe Shakspear depending on how we feel about that ridge - who named that peak anyways? Spell check, people.... )
Thurs (plan A): Dumbbell lakes to Bench Lake (ish? - this could be a big day depending on Dumbbell) via Cartridge
Fri (plan A): Arrow Peak
Sat (plan A): Head out
Sun (plan A): Finish hike out if we don't go all the way on Sat
ALT:
Thus (plan B): Frozen Lake Pass or Vennacher Col into Upper Basin
Open question: which pass would you use? I have a feeling that Frozen Lake Pass won't be workable this year if we don't carry our ice axes.
Vennacher col looks like a promising alternate but again - not much info out there. Would be fun to bag the Needle too....
Fri (plan B): Split Mtn
Sat (plan B): Head out
Sun (plan B): Finish hike if we don't go all the way on Sat
Of course there is also plan C which would be avoiding Lakes Basin entirely and screwing around on the peaks of Bench Lake and Upper Basin (I still have to do Split...), but that would kind of remove the original goal of the trip. And would be closer to people. But it's not off the table if conditions dictate it and it makes the trip a bit more manageable.
Oh, asks MrC: how is the fishing in Lakes Basin?
Anyways, thanks for reading my rambling trip plan. Love to hear your thoughts. There is a lot of great stuff up there, I'm now wishing i had another week....