High Sierra Topix

, little lakes and following the beautiful creek until the point where it leaps over the cliffs south to Lake Vernon. The “plan” was to descend the rocky slabs next to the creek, but I was not sure it would work and my appetite for adventure was low at this point

I did this in June of this year, it was a stroll. Only we decended a ways past where the cascade is. I remember a slabby open area. I really don't remember exactly where, but if anyone is interested I do have a few pictures and can easily pinpoint it. It was easy by staying right.

If I had any skill at all with ropes I'd be all over your crazy schemes. I am quite content even through manzanita and thorns.

Thank you for the trip report, WD. My limited time in that area convinced me 1) Jack Main Canyon is beautiful, and 2) Cross country travel is a lot more difficult at 6500 feet than at 10000 feet! (My first trip to NW Yosemite--I had only ever done high elevation East side trips before.)

I also looked down Falls Creek and contemplated following it down to the cabin and to Vernon, but opted to take the long way on the trail. The previous day I did come up Falls Creek from the snow cabin, on the left bank--about half way to the top. Beautiful granite friction slabs with torrents of water to my right.

Later I bumped into someone who had come down and told me that he thought it was not that difficult, so I always wondered if I should have tried it.

As for whether the loop is overrated--I would agree that the loop itself is not as spectacular as the higher elevation trips I have done. Jack Main, however, is a gem and worth a trip in my opinion. The thing that makes the loop engaging is that it can be done so much earlier than high elevation trips--that region gives me an extra month on the backpacking season!

Given the distribution of sand and driftwood throughout Jack Main Canyon plus some photos by Hetchy of the canyon early in the season (a few years back) and despite the low elevation I would think twice about any early season trip that involves crossing Falls Creek. Apparently even the bridge below Vernon can have water washing over it.

Mike

oldranger wrote:Given the distribution of sand and driftwood throughout Jack Main Canyon plus some photos by Hetchy of the canyon early in the season (a few years back) and despite the low elevation I would think twice about any early season trip that involves crossing Falls Creek. Apparently even the bridge below Vernon can have water washing over it.

Mike

True. I would check here and with the rangers before trying anything too early. My trip was in the 3rd week in June in 2010. The approach to the bridge at Vernon was under water in the 2nd week of June. And it would not have been safe to cross Falls Creek elsewhere for weeks, probably. But that is still about a month earlier than the places I was used to going.

I did a lot of early season days in Kindrick's, Jack Main and vicinity. It was really cool reading about it as a late season trip. I fished that area a lot all the way up to the pass at Pealer Lake.

Great report. Your account really shows what NW Yosemite off trail hiking is all about. Nasty brush, big talus, slabs--the charm and curse of the Sierra's Bermuda Triangle, to be sure.

I have been to the Brannigan lakes via a "standard way" and down/out next to the falls. Fun. The largest lake is very nice.
You can drop down from Jack Main to Vernon Lake: it gets a bit steep, but it is all granite pavement, and it is another fun way to get to Vernon.
I have been up from the top of Wapoma Falls and along Falls Creek to Vernon, and the route is surprisingly easy. After passing through a nice pocket valley that was an indian summer camp, the route passes a beautiful cascade. Beyond the cascade is the only choke point, with fallen trees to maneuver around or under (it might be better now). After that you trend upward and aim for the small pond at the edge of the canyon near the trail to the north. I may be using this route next year to avoid snow. I have pictures naturally.

Bumped this up since there seems to be interest.