High Sierra Topix

Cross Country,

With the lakes you cited, you deserve your name. Not even use trails to some of those!

Enjoyable read that's for sure. Thanks for posting!

Thanks for posting this extensive TR, really enjoyed the read.
Every person who writes there intention to visit Rae Lakes, I have recommend
Dragon Lake for solitude(and beauty) from the madness that the main lakes has
especially in peak season with all the JMT hikers coming through.
As CC mentioned, Gardiner Basin, Window Lake, and Arrow Lakes Basin at which
I have met a former nf ranger who made this place there family backcountry
outing because of the solitude, and fishing it offers, all these places you will likely
not see anyone for days.

Many wrote:

How do you get into Gardiner Basin? There's a pass from Sixty Lakes Basin, but
is there a more direct route?

Nope, Sixty Lakes Col is the most direct from the east, from the south you have Gardiner
Pass, and from the north you have King Col to name the most popular entries, though
SLC is probably the most used, GP being second, and KC being a far third.
For someone going in the first time SLC is the best bet.
Here are the three passes mention on the topo:
http://sierrabackpacker.com/SixtyLakes.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://sierrabackpacker.com/Gardiner.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://sierrabackpacker.com/ClarenceKing.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here are two TR's in which SLC, and/or GP were used so you can get an idea of the terrain.
http://sierrahiker.home.comcast.net/~si ... /index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://chayden.net/Sierra96/Sierra96.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;