High Sierra Topix

I'm planning a trip that includes descending Big Arroyo from the patrol cabin, and following the "trail" all the way to where it goes over the plateau south of Willow Creek and then going up Rattlesnake Creek.

Can anyone give me good information about general conditions in this section? The park website says that the trail is virtually nonexistent in some areas. How much route finding will be required? Is there a lot of brush and talus to contend with?

I'm no stranger to off trail travel and navigation, so that aspect is not an issue. I'm just trying to figure out how much time to allot to this section.

Lambertiana wrote:
Can anyone give me good information about general conditions in this section?
The park website says that the trail is virtually nonexistent in some areas. How
much route finding will be required? Is there a lot of brush and talus to contend
with?

There is nothing extremely difficult about this section, the trail is easy to follow,
and nothing like for example the Kennedy Canyon to Dead Pine Ridge section in the
Monarch Divide which is truly a nonexistent trail, so beyond the steep climb up to
Franklin Pass you will be fine.
Now during the Spring run-off getting across the creek or even some of the spur
creeks can be an issue of much more concern!
One thing that I have not done yet and would be cool is to get up to Rattlesnake
Point and get some cool shots up the into the Kern.