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Vidette Lakes

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:27 am
by TehipiteTom
Looking for beta on the Vidette Lakes basin--basically, whether it's a worthwhile destination (photogenic, decent campsite potential, etc.) given that I have to be in the Kearsarge Pass area anyway. I know the general area is pretty crowded, and I'm resigned to that, but also looking for one night at least to get some solitude. Based on the map, Vidette Lakes look like the easiest way to achieve that. (Alternate possibility would be Center Basin, although that's further out of my way.)

Any thoughts from the folks who've been there?

Re: Vidette Lakes

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:46 am
by copeg
Was up there in 2004 - nice area, it was relatively easy to get to as far as cross country travel goes, and off the beaten track enough for some solitude. There is a nob about halfway up the canyon that is worth a visit to the top - I sat up there for hours checking out the view. I visited early in the season, so much of everything was snow covered. Crossing Bubbs was the biggest hurdle - a fallen tree made things much easier early in the season.

View north from the lowest lake
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Heading out early morning
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Re: Vidette Lakes

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:23 pm
by TehipiteTom
Beautiful! Thanks, that's helpful.

Re: Vidette Lakes

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:47 pm
by maverick
Hi Tom,

It is a pretty basin worth visiting and you will not have a lot of company.
I do not now your potential route but you can use Deerhorn Saddle to get
access into the East Creek drainage which is outstanding.
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Re: Vidette Lakes

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 3:09 pm
by TehipiteTom
Thanks. Deerhorn sounds good for a longer trip, but not really feasible for this one (unless I dayhike it). I'm cramming two trips into one week (the other is over Mono Pass); first day I doubt I'll get farther than Kearsarge Lakes, third night has to be at Charlotte Lake, so Vidette Lakes is the fill-in day between them.

Re: Vidette Lakes

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 3:47 pm
by sparky
Tom, last year I went to the bench lake/matlock lake area, up to an unnamed pass directly above the tarn above bench lake. It was easy, i went up class 2 sand, but the ckass 3 rock to the right would have been better. Once at the pass, university peak, university shoulder & or center basin is well within reach. Also a nice view down the kearsage lakes basin. Large boulder talus for days, but its pretty solid. University shoulder is sandy/scree-y

The most important part is I saw no one after i left the kearsage lakes trail. It would be fairly easy to reach center basin in this way....just food for thought.

If you want more info or pics just pm me

Re: Vidette Lakes

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:41 am
by TehipiteTom
Interesting route. I have to do Kearsarge Pass in at least one direction, but that could be an alternative worth considering.

Re: Vidette Lakes

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 6:27 pm
by sparky
you can see the pass here, the low point on the north ridge of University Peak @ around 11,900 SW from the tarn shown on the map and NE of University Shoulder. I hit the trail after work on a Friday, and camped @ Bench Lake. The hike up to the pass from here was easy. Steep loose sandy scree for the last 60 feet or so. I hate that stuff. I wasn't in a position to get on the rock that was on my right (north) but checking it out before the descent might save a lot of energy. The rock looked solid.



HST Map
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Once at the top of the pass, you will see your best bet to get to University Shoulder, which you should be descending into Center basin 30 min to an hour after topping out on the crest. Expect large bouldery talus from volkswagon size to trashcan size but it is stable. University shoulder proper is steep sandy scree.

Re: Vidette Lakes

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:11 pm
by Baffman
It's a steep but short climb up to the lakes from Bubbs Creek. It's well worth it.

Re: Vidette Lakes

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:41 pm
by John Dittli
Pretty place. This is what it looks like in February, for grins-
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