4 day 3 night trip in SeKi

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giantbrookie
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Post by giantbrookie »

Aviprk wrote:Decisions, decisions.....

Seems #3, #4, #5, and #8 would be the most "easily doable" of my picks. I've also considered Ansel Adams wilderness and the Thousand island, Garnet lake area but hear it's too crowded unless I go to the x-c lakes such as Catherine.
A few additional comments. Regarding Humphreys Basin and Pilot Knob. Pilot Knob is indeed a handsome peak with a great view. Here's a little climbing note. It is class 2 as listed, but only if you drop down a bit from the ridgecrest on its south side (I presume this by what I saw--I just followed the ridge) on the final summit approach where necessary to avoid some short knife edge sections. The summit ridge itself is low (easy) class 3 in a few places and moderately exposed, in my estimation. One of my two companions (a death march hiking veteran who doesn't like class 3 too much) was a bit put off by the exposure on the ridge. In contrast, my wife, who likes air, thought it was the most enjoyable part of the hike. Upon descending we ran into the peak climbing fiend Pete Yamagata, who was leading a Sierra Club peak climbing trip there. I recall him being very interested in my take on whether the route was class 3, given that by trip rules he wasn't allowed to take his group on anything above class 2. Anyhow, if any of your friends doesn't like air, this is something to keep in mind. Four Gables is easy class 2 and is an alternative peak from Humphreys Basin.

Regarding Thousand Is. lake and environs, I happen to think the Ritter Range (Ritter, Banner, Minarets) is the most picturesque group of peaks in the entire range along with the Palisades (the Bishop Pass-Dusy Basin option gives you an up close look at the latter). It is true that a lot of folks visit the 1000 Is area, but you also should weigh the fact that lakes such as Thousand Island and Garnet have an enormous perimeter and it is not that hard to get yourself away from the crowds if that is your wish. Banner and Ritter can be ascended by class 2 routes if you dayhike around to the back side (long day hike)--rather tricky route finding is necessary, particularly on Ritter, in order to keep things at the advertised class 2, however.

Another visually stunning area is Convict Canyon. Not only is it visually gorgeous, but, last I checked, it was not a quota'd trailhead (Convict L.) so if you don't get under the quota at another choice, it's a good one to remember as a fall back. This would be an in and out rather than a loop, but it is very beautiful with the rich reds and grays of folded metamorphic rocks contrasting with the green of the trees, blue of the lakes and the multicolored wildflowers. The lakes are overpopulated with brookies which is nice if you'd like your friends to be guaranteed to catch a fish (if they're so inclined), but not so good if you'd like to catch something big. Mts. Morrison and Baldwin can be climbed by class 2 routes, as can Bloody Mtn.
Since my fishing (etc.) website is still down, you can be distracted by geology stuff at: http://www.fresnostate.edu/csm/ees/facu ... ayshi.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Aviprk
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Post by Aviprk »

Thanks so much gb and speackcock.

I always wanted to visit that area around Forester pass but it might be kind of overkill in elevation and I would like to get a loop out of it if anything. I hear only great things about K pass and its environs.

I'm also keeping my eye on the 1000 island lake area but right now it seems more buried in snow than the Southern Sierra and my trip happens in 3 weeks. We will have to see what the conditions will be like.

I'm so excited. Just thinking about keeps me off the chair.

:D
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Post by SPeacock »

From Onion Valley over Kearsarge to Vidette Meadows over Forrester Pass, up Tyndal Creek to Shepherds Pass to trail head, follow the road or cross country to Onion Valley road (about 3 mi) easy hitch back for one of you to car.

Good loop but I like it from Shepherds first.

Except for the passes you are at 10,000. So not a lot of altitude. Except going from 6K to 12K if you start with Shepherds Pass first. If you do it, I'd suggest leaving the car where you come out, rather than try to hitch back to where you left it at the start. Do the hitchhiking before you start.
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