Trip Advice: Circle of Solitude
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 5:15 pm
Hey Everyone,
I'm taking off on a 9 day trip in about a week and a half. I'm planning on doing the Circle of Solitude in SeKi, and I was wondering if there is any specific info that would help me plan the trip. I've looked at the previous trip reports for this area so I have a vague idea of what to expect. Two things I am specifically interested in hearing about is potentially difficult river crossings, and stretches of trail where water might be scarce.
Here are my responses to the form questions:
What level of backpacking experience do you have?
Somewhere between level 2 and 3.
Level 2- Some backpacking trips, using trails
Level 3- Numerous backpacking trips, some x-country travel
What terrain are you comfortable/uncomfortable with?
I'm looking to keep things mainly on trail but am looking for a few offtrail excursions to get me into some pristine areas. I'm not interested in anything too sketchy (I'll be by myself and am not super experienced)
What is your main interest?
I'm interested in exploring the Sierra and getting some good photos along the way. I want a mix of forest, streams, lakes, above the treeline ridges, etc.
How many days/nights is your trip, not including travel to trailhead?
9 days. I'm looking to do an average of about 12 miles a day. If things go bad, I'm prepared to skip some of my offtrail excursions so I can get out in my timeframe. I'm also confident I'll be able to cover up to 20 miles a day at the end of the trip, if needed.
Here is a proposed itinerary:
Day 1: Onion Valley to Kearsage Lakes
Day 2: Kearsage Lakes to Lake Reflection
Day 3: Lake Reflection to Sphinx Creek (Should I expect water flow here?)
Day 4: Sphinx Creek over Avalance Pass to Moraine Meadows/Roaring River area
Day 5: Moraine Meadows to Cloud Canyon
Day 6: Cloud Canyon to Picket Creek Lake (Kaweah Basin)
Day 7: Picket Creek Lake to Milestone Basin
Day 8: Milestone Basin over Forester Pass (weather permitting)
Day 9: Forester Pass to Onion Valley
Any advice/information/concerns are greatly appreciated.
I'm taking off on a 9 day trip in about a week and a half. I'm planning on doing the Circle of Solitude in SeKi, and I was wondering if there is any specific info that would help me plan the trip. I've looked at the previous trip reports for this area so I have a vague idea of what to expect. Two things I am specifically interested in hearing about is potentially difficult river crossings, and stretches of trail where water might be scarce.
Here are my responses to the form questions:
What level of backpacking experience do you have?
Somewhere between level 2 and 3.
Level 2- Some backpacking trips, using trails
Level 3- Numerous backpacking trips, some x-country travel
What terrain are you comfortable/uncomfortable with?
I'm looking to keep things mainly on trail but am looking for a few offtrail excursions to get me into some pristine areas. I'm not interested in anything too sketchy (I'll be by myself and am not super experienced)
What is your main interest?
I'm interested in exploring the Sierra and getting some good photos along the way. I want a mix of forest, streams, lakes, above the treeline ridges, etc.
How many days/nights is your trip, not including travel to trailhead?
9 days. I'm looking to do an average of about 12 miles a day. If things go bad, I'm prepared to skip some of my offtrail excursions so I can get out in my timeframe. I'm also confident I'll be able to cover up to 20 miles a day at the end of the trip, if needed.
Here is a proposed itinerary:
Day 1: Onion Valley to Kearsage Lakes
Day 2: Kearsage Lakes to Lake Reflection
Day 3: Lake Reflection to Sphinx Creek (Should I expect water flow here?)
Day 4: Sphinx Creek over Avalance Pass to Moraine Meadows/Roaring River area
Day 5: Moraine Meadows to Cloud Canyon
Day 6: Cloud Canyon to Picket Creek Lake (Kaweah Basin)
Day 7: Picket Creek Lake to Milestone Basin
Day 8: Milestone Basin over Forester Pass (weather permitting)
Day 9: Forester Pass to Onion Valley
Any advice/information/concerns are greatly appreciated.