First post, one trip being planned, many questions
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:40 pm
Hi everyone,
First time poster new to the forum. Will try to follow the posting guidelines.
Planning my third trip to the Sierras. Planning a loop out of Onion Valley from Sept 20 to 30.
The proposed itinerary is as follows:
Phase 1:
Day 1. Over Kearsage Pass and South on JMT
Day 2. Over Forester pass and south as close to Mt. Whitney as feasible ( Guitar Lake)
Day 3. Summit Whitney and back out to JMT heading north to phase 2.
Phase 2
Days 3, 4 and 5
Option 1.
Head to Bubbs Creek /Roads End via Colby Pass and Avalanche pass/Sphinx trail in 2 days ( 34.5 miles according to Secor book)
Option 2.
Head to Lake South America
Cross Harrisson Pass or easiest pass over KK divide
Visit Lake Reflection
And out via East Lake
Hike Bubbs to Roads end
Option 3.
Head to Lake South America
Cross Harrisson Pass or easiest pass over KK divide
Visit Lake Reflection
Cross Longley pass into Brewer Basin, cross Sphinx col into Sphinx creek drainage
Down to Bubbs Creek and to Roads End
Phase 3
Ressuply in Cedar Grove/ Roads End
Travel SHR northbound to Upper basin/ Mather Pass with option to skip Frozen Lake pass.
Days 6, 7, 8
Phase 4.
Travel south on JMT and out via Kearsage Pass and Onion Valley
Days 9 and 10
Total distance is approximately 145 miles if traveling via Colby (Phase 2 option 1). I Assume it will be a bit less if using either of the other two options, but likely equally time consuming if not more.
Experience Level
Both of us is fairly high. Lots of experience in alpine environment around the world ( Andes, Canadian Rockies, Interior Ranges of BC, Coast Range) both on and off trail.
Traveling light and fairly fast, avg 20 mile/days on trail sections and 10 mile/day off trail. Only one of us has backpacked in the Sierras.
Goals,
Big mileage, awesome terrain, great views. Challenging off trail terrain.
Questions
1. Resupply options at Trails End/ Cedar Grove in late September: I've seen on this forum that it is possible to mail a package ahead of time. Is there enough options for groceries/fuel at the store in Cedar grove? How late in the season is it feasible? We may have the option of dropping a food cache off on the way into the Range. Is there an option to leave food in a rodent proof canister at Roads End? Another option is to have a friend meet us there with a resupply package.
2. I can estimate how long the trail sections will take fairly well based on my last two trips to the range. I'm having a hard time estimating how long each of the phase 2 off trail options would take.
Can anyone provide some time estimate for these routes? We will not be stopping to fish or to explore off route, essentially just connecting points along the route.
3. Is this an unrealistic itinerary for 10 days? Any suggestions for tweaks, improvements, shortcuts.
Thanks for your time and respectfully yours
Martin
First time poster new to the forum. Will try to follow the posting guidelines.
Planning my third trip to the Sierras. Planning a loop out of Onion Valley from Sept 20 to 30.
The proposed itinerary is as follows:
Phase 1:
Day 1. Over Kearsage Pass and South on JMT
Day 2. Over Forester pass and south as close to Mt. Whitney as feasible ( Guitar Lake)
Day 3. Summit Whitney and back out to JMT heading north to phase 2.
Phase 2
Days 3, 4 and 5
Option 1.
Head to Bubbs Creek /Roads End via Colby Pass and Avalanche pass/Sphinx trail in 2 days ( 34.5 miles according to Secor book)
Option 2.
Head to Lake South America
Cross Harrisson Pass or easiest pass over KK divide
Visit Lake Reflection
And out via East Lake
Hike Bubbs to Roads end
Option 3.
Head to Lake South America
Cross Harrisson Pass or easiest pass over KK divide
Visit Lake Reflection
Cross Longley pass into Brewer Basin, cross Sphinx col into Sphinx creek drainage
Down to Bubbs Creek and to Roads End
Phase 3
Ressuply in Cedar Grove/ Roads End
Travel SHR northbound to Upper basin/ Mather Pass with option to skip Frozen Lake pass.
Days 6, 7, 8
Phase 4.
Travel south on JMT and out via Kearsage Pass and Onion Valley
Days 9 and 10
Total distance is approximately 145 miles if traveling via Colby (Phase 2 option 1). I Assume it will be a bit less if using either of the other two options, but likely equally time consuming if not more.
Experience Level
Both of us is fairly high. Lots of experience in alpine environment around the world ( Andes, Canadian Rockies, Interior Ranges of BC, Coast Range) both on and off trail.
Traveling light and fairly fast, avg 20 mile/days on trail sections and 10 mile/day off trail. Only one of us has backpacked in the Sierras.
Goals,
Big mileage, awesome terrain, great views. Challenging off trail terrain.
Questions
1. Resupply options at Trails End/ Cedar Grove in late September: I've seen on this forum that it is possible to mail a package ahead of time. Is there enough options for groceries/fuel at the store in Cedar grove? How late in the season is it feasible? We may have the option of dropping a food cache off on the way into the Range. Is there an option to leave food in a rodent proof canister at Roads End? Another option is to have a friend meet us there with a resupply package.
2. I can estimate how long the trail sections will take fairly well based on my last two trips to the range. I'm having a hard time estimating how long each of the phase 2 off trail options would take.
Can anyone provide some time estimate for these routes? We will not be stopping to fish or to explore off route, essentially just connecting points along the route.
3. Is this an unrealistic itinerary for 10 days? Any suggestions for tweaks, improvements, shortcuts.
Thanks for your time and respectfully yours
Martin