High Sierra Trail, Kaweah Gap Conditions / Experience

If you've been searching for the best source of information and stimulating discussion related to Spring/Summer/Fall backpacking, hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada...look no further!
User avatar
aufsess
Topix Novice
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:16 am
Experience: N/A

High Sierra Trail, Kaweah Gap Conditions / Experience

Post by aufsess »

Hello HST,

I am going to start the High Sierra Trail this Saturday 6/27 and currently have no plans to bring a lot of winter mountaineering equipment (one ice axe for the "guide") -- there are seven of us and a couple are High Sierra virgins and most without a lot of early season experience. Any more recent current updates or experiences climbing the Kaweah gap? I know it has warmed up a lot since the last HST trail report, but the High Sierra Trail conditions recorded by the Wilderness Office Staff mention that winter mountaineering skills and equipment are recommended as of 6/21. Can anyone give me a better idea of what kind of skills and conditions I should prepare for at this time of year? Mostly I have heard from other sierra veterans that I shouldn't be concerned at this time of year (with the warming weather).

Also, I've heard that is a bit of a hazardous snow crossing in the deepest gorge, by the tunnel. Is this likely to still be present and has anyone ever set up an impromptu rope that beginners could hold onto / tie into? Also, it seems that the final climb over the gap from Precipice lake is covered in snow, but on the other hand it doesn't seem to have any exposure. I assume that a group of large men can create the boot tracks necessary for less experience hikers to travel safely and comfortably. Is it advisable to climb the gap late in the day so that the snow is maximally soft?

Finally, how does one say Kaweah?

Thanks for any advice or comments!

Alex
User avatar
ERIC
Your Humble Host & Forums Administrator
Your Humble Host & Forums Administrator
Posts: 3254
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:13 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: between the 916 and 661

Re: High Sierra Trail, Kaweah Gap Conditions / Experience

Post by ERIC »

aufsess wrote:Finally, how does one say Kaweah?
Pronounced Kaw-wee'-ah, with both a's pronounced like the a in "awe"
New members, please consider giving us an intro!
Follow us on Twitter @HighSierraTopix. Use hashtags #SIERRAPHILE #GotSierra? #GotMountains?
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighSierraTopix
User avatar
copeg
Founding Member & Forums Administrator
Founding Member & Forums Administrator
Posts: 2109
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:25 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Contact:

Re: High Sierra Trail, Kaweah Gap Conditions / Experience

Post by copeg »

Perhaps cgundersen can chime in as he was just there last week, but in the meantime if you haven't yet check out the trip report from that area last week. Having been through that area there isn't much exposure and travel across the show shouldn't be too much of a hassle, depending upon what time if day it is (usually hard and can be icy in the morning, to postholing in the late afternoon). Something you should keep in mind is creek crossing along the Kern River, Whitney and Wallace creeks in particular. Last I was there a few years ago they weren't too much of a pain but this time of year be prepared for raging creeks, try and time crossings earlier in the day
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: High Sierra Trail, Kaweah Gap Conditions / Experience

Post by maverick »

Check out CG's trip report as Copeg recommends.
Picture #3 has a shot of the Kaweah Gap from the east, and picture #1 has a pic
of the Hamilton lakes area.
User avatar
aufsess
Topix Novice
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:16 am
Experience: N/A

Re: High Sierra Trail, Kaweah Gap Conditions / Experience

Post by aufsess »

Speaking of difficult creek crossings... is there no longer a bridge over the Kern River?

Is there a protocol for crossing difficult streams? I've heard of people putting up safety ropes --- we were thinking of using a piece of webbing to set up a safety line (to grab onto -- not tie too) to help people cross the stream. One hand on the webbing, one hand with a walking pole.
User avatar
Mike M.
Topix Expert
Posts: 647
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 10:50 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: High Sierra Trail, Kaweah Gap Conditions / Experience

Post by Mike M. »

Aufsess, regarding crossing streams in high water: look for an area where the stream has spread out (as opposed to one in a narrow channel). Wear your boots (I remove my socks). As a rule of thumb, if you believe the creek is so swift and high that you might need to resort to ropes, etc, then you should find another place to cross. It won't hurt you to get wet walking in gently flowing chest high water, but a raging stream that deep is unsafe.

As an aside, one of the PCT through hikers blogged about his hike throuh Evolution Valley a week or so ago and made no mention at all of the stream crossing in the lower valley, which is notorious for high water this time of year.

Mike
User avatar
copeg
Founding Member & Forums Administrator
Founding Member & Forums Administrator
Posts: 2109
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:25 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Contact:

Re: High Sierra Trail, Kaweah Gap Conditions / Experience

Post by copeg »

aufsess wrote:Speaking of difficult creek crossings... is there no longer a bridge over the Kern River?
I was there in 2005 and there was a bridge. No idea about its current status.
Agree with Mike that if you might think you need a rope, try and find another location to cross. Early morning crossings are usually better as the creeks aren't as swollen from the days melt (I've seen creeks lower/rise over a foot between 8am and 4pm). Many times you can find fallen logs to aid in crossing (be careful if they are wet), or a flattened out area or an area where the creek splits up into several creaklets that are easier than the large.
User avatar
aufsess
Topix Novice
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:16 am
Experience: N/A

Re: High Sierra Trail, Kaweah Gap Conditions / Experience

Post by aufsess »

Just finished this trip. Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning. Easy pace. Not much to report or worry about, except that it was great. Snow is mostly gone from all part of the trail west of Whitney. Kaweah pass has snow, but little of it is on the trail. Creek and River crossings are easy enough or bridges present. Most people didn't get their boots wet or take them off, though it's probably a better idea in a couple places. Water was flowing fast, but never treacherously. Little bits of rain. Most alarming part was climbing up and down Whitney and crossing over icy snow banks. It was a little more exposure than I would have liked to expose to beginners, but it wasn't very bad. Skeeters in Wallace Creek were really bad. Hardly saw a soul between Hamilton Lakes and Guitar Lake. We did see a group of Kayakers coming in to do the Kern. They have trekked 70lbs kayaks over Shepherd's Pass! The River was practically constant rapids.

Enjoy.

Alex
User avatar
copeg
Founding Member & Forums Administrator
Founding Member & Forums Administrator
Posts: 2109
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:25 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Contact:

Re: High Sierra Trail, Kaweah Gap Conditions / Experience

Post by copeg »

Thanks for sharing the info Alex!
aufsess wrote:We did see a group of Kayakers coming in to do the Kern. They have trekked 70lbs kayaks over Shepherd's Pass! The River was practically constant rapids.
From a few years ago, but there are kayakers that do that sort of thing...a bit psychotic if you ask me :eek: But hey, there are those that say some of the things I do are psychotic, so I guess its all relative. ;)
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4024
User avatar
cgundersen
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1338
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 1:07 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: High Sierra Trail, Kaweah Gap Conditions / Experience

Post by cgundersen »

Hi Alex,
Even if everything is relative, on my absolute scale, carrying kayaks over Shepherd Pass qualifies as mildly insane. OK, the adrenaline rush of riding the headwaters of the Kern has to be pretty heady, but Shepherds is not your average stroll in the park (masochism comes to mind). Plus, imagine the poor labdlubbers watching the kayaks fly past. I'd conclude that I was hallucinating.

Beyond that, if you or folks in your group took photos, please don't be shy about posting a few. I'd love to see how 9 Lakes basin and the Big Arroyo opened up since early June!
Thanks,
CG
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot], Harlen and 130 guests