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Tehipite Dome TR

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 5:31 pm
by bcrowell
I'd been wanting to get into the Tehipite Valley area this year, but had been scared of crossing Crown Creek in a heavy snow year. Got some helpful advice from folks here, but figured I might have to wait until 2012. Finally it occurred to me that since I had a 4-day weekend for Labor Day, I could do it in late season when the creeks were low.

My original goal had been to hike from Rancheria Trailhead near Wishon Reservoir and visit Tehipite Dome, Blue Canyon, and the floor of Tehipite Valley. In the end, I radically cut down my itinerary and just went to Tehipite Dome. Climbing the dome was a fun scramble, and gave a fantastic view of Tehipite Valley from above. I could have barely wedged in a visit to the valley floor, but decided I would rather get home on Sunday rather than braving the Labor Day traffic and getting back to LA the night before I had to go back to work.

Creeks were not running high, and I managed to avoid getting my feet wet at all on the way out. It was a great solitude experience; I never saw another saw another human being, although I did hear what sounded like someone target shooting at the Johnsons' Cow Camp, and saw some shotgun casings on the trail. (I hope my blue bandanna made me look very unlike a deer!) My only disappointment was that the hike in and out was not especially scenic -- just lots of rolling hills, surrounded by dense forest. If I was going to visit the area again, and had more time, I might try making a cross-country trip along the rim of Crown Valley (Crown Ridge and Kettle Ridge), bagging some of the peaks along the way.

Didn't bring a camera, so unfortunately I can't post pix.

Thanks, all, for your advice and info!

Re: Tehipite Dome TR

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 7:12 pm
by AlmostThere
I was heading out there this weekend, but had to go on a SAR instead. :(

I was going to do a loop - go fishing in the creeks and lakes, and maybe cross country up Kettle for some views. Maybe in October. The bugs are dwindling, by then they should be gone.

I hope to get into Blue Canyon at some point - it all sounds great to me, sitting here at home with thoughts of backpacking....