Kibbie Lake this weekend
- Wandering Daisy
- Topix Docent
- Posts: 6689
- Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:19 pm
- Experience: N/A
- Location: Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento area)
- Contact:
Kibbie Lake this weekend
We are going to Kibbie Lake this weekend. I was wondering if crossing the outlet is possible this time of year? We would prefer to do the loop and use both trails, but am wondering if we would get stuck due to stream crossings, either at the outlet or on Kibbie Creek near Lake Elenor.
- kpeter
- Topix Fanatic
- Posts: 1450
- Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 1:11 pm
- Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
Re: Kibbie Lake this weekend
I'm thinking of a trip to Kibbie soon, too, so I will look forward to your report!
- maverick
- Forums Moderator
- Posts: 11841
- Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Re: Kibbie Lake this weekend
I have been to Kibbie in May, back in the late 90's, and the creek was booming
which made crossing at the usual places a little precarious.
That said there are places were the creek narrows enough were one can take a long
jump from one boulder to other, if you are comfortable with that.
There are some downed trees further down creek that I saw once across that
one could possibly use to get to the other side.
It was definitely easier than trying to cross Kendrick Creek or Falls Creek, but this year
things are really wacky, and though it is a very high snow year, our cooler than normal
temps will affect the peak for the run-off's, so you may just beat any serious issues
when crossing.
which made crossing at the usual places a little precarious.
That said there are places were the creek narrows enough were one can take a long
jump from one boulder to other, if you are comfortable with that.
There are some downed trees further down creek that I saw once across that
one could possibly use to get to the other side.
It was definitely easier than trying to cross Kendrick Creek or Falls Creek, but this year
things are really wacky, and though it is a very high snow year, our cooler than normal
temps will affect the peak for the run-off's, so you may just beat any serious issues
when crossing.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer
I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.
Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.
Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
- SSSdave
- Topix Addict
- Posts: 3524
- Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:18 pm
- Experience: N/A
- Location: Silicon Valley
- Contact:
Re: Kibbie Lake this weekend
May not be able to rock hop, Kibbie Creek is never so big in May that one cannot easily wade a bit downstream. Just not that big a basin.
The eastern side of the loop trail goes to the Eleanor Trailhead and not the much closer Shingle Springs Trailhead. Decades ago the road to the Shingle Springs trailhead was gated, so one had to start from the Eleanor Trailhead that made for a long 8 mile each way route. Since they have allowed access, the eastern trail usually hasn't a reason for being except for horesemen with big trailers. Except currently the road across the dam remains closed. I just called a few minutes ago and the Stanislaus NF person related their supervisor is up there today evaluating whether the top of dam road gate should be open and which of the 3 trailheads will be reachable. Although snow may all be melted, there are always downed tree issues. There is one item of interest for me up that road I might do a visit one morning on this holiday.
David
The eastern side of the loop trail goes to the Eleanor Trailhead and not the much closer Shingle Springs Trailhead. Decades ago the road to the Shingle Springs trailhead was gated, so one had to start from the Eleanor Trailhead that made for a long 8 mile each way route. Since they have allowed access, the eastern trail usually hasn't a reason for being except for horesemen with big trailers. Except currently the road across the dam remains closed. I just called a few minutes ago and the Stanislaus NF person related their supervisor is up there today evaluating whether the top of dam road gate should be open and which of the 3 trailheads will be reachable. Although snow may all be melted, there are always downed tree issues. There is one item of interest for me up that road I might do a visit one morning on this holiday.
David
- ryboards
- Topix Acquainted
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:21 pm
- Experience: N/A
- Location: Camarillo
Re: Kibbie Lake this weekend
We had this on our radar for next weekend. It was shot down due to travel. I am very interested to read about your trip. Cheers to it being epic.
The mountains are calling and I must go.
~John Muir
~John Muir
-
- Topix Regular
- Posts: 373
- Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 12:31 pm
- Experience: N/A
- Location: Escalon & Cottonwood California
Re: Kibbie Lake this weekend
IMHO, I do not see any benefit to following the trail which requires crossing the stream. Where the trail crosses the stream just follow the granite slabs to the lake (trail will be on opposite side of creek). Better campsites, etc. Especially if it is crowded which it indeed will be this weekend.
- giantbrookie
- Founding Member & Forums Moderator
- Posts: 3582
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 10:22 am
- Experience: N/A
- Location: Fresno
- Contact:
Re: Kibbie Lake this weekend
Wished I had seen this earlier. This won't help because you're already on the trip but...
I crossed Kibbie Creek fairly far downstream of the lake in peak runoff conditions in May 1986 a year with a lot of late snow and rainfall. The easiest spots were where the creek widened a bit (split into a wide zone of frothy channels) so it was not that deep--crotch deep for me. It was a very wet, but not what I'd call a dangerous crossing, whereas narrower and steeper parts of the creek would have been sketchy. As usual, these crossings were easier done early in the morning than later in the day. We crossed Bartlett Creek in Kendrick Creek canyon on that trip and it was a bit closer to borderline.
I hope you had a good trip. Nice choice for a late May trip this year. Wish I were there.
I crossed Kibbie Creek fairly far downstream of the lake in peak runoff conditions in May 1986 a year with a lot of late snow and rainfall. The easiest spots were where the creek widened a bit (split into a wide zone of frothy channels) so it was not that deep--crotch deep for me. It was a very wet, but not what I'd call a dangerous crossing, whereas narrower and steeper parts of the creek would have been sketchy. As usual, these crossings were easier done early in the morning than later in the day. We crossed Bartlett Creek in Kendrick Creek canyon on that trip and it was a bit closer to borderline.
I hope you had a good trip. Nice choice for a late May trip this year. Wish I were there.
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;
- Wandering Daisy
- Topix Docent
- Posts: 6689
- Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:19 pm
- Experience: N/A
- Location: Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento area)
- Contact:
Re: Kibbie Lake this weekend
We just got back. Kibbie Lake was frozen! There was a little open water at the outlet and we fished for several hours with no luck. We are not great fishermen, so that does not mean much! There was almost solid snow at Kibbie Lake, 2-3 feet snow. We found a few dry places to camp below the outlet. I walked up to the northwest inlet area - totally snow. It was overcast and cold all day Friday. We walked out to Shingle Springs on Saturday, and awoke Sunday AM to new snow. We bailed and wet to Yosemite Valley. I will post a few photos when I get them downloaded. I think we may have been the first people in as we saw no footprints in the snow. It was very swampy in places. As we came out, about 12 people were going in on Saturday, some who did not look at least prepared for the conditions. I honestly do not know where they all were going to camp.
- balzaccom
- Topix Addict
- Posts: 2970
- Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:22 pm
- Experience: N/A
Re: Kibbie Lake this weekend
WE were in the same area this weekend...see our post on our trip to Lake Eleanor and beyond...
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-R ... 0984884963
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-R ... 0984884963
- maverick
- Forums Moderator
- Posts: 11841
- Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Re: Kibbie Lake this weekend
Frozen, at 6500 ft, well that speaks volumes on how fast things are thawing in
the backcountry.
I have seen Kibbie with patches of snow around it, but not with 2-3 feet around its
perimeter, and not solid frozen.
Looking forward to the pic's WD.
the backcountry.
I have seen Kibbie with patches of snow around it, but not with 2-3 feet around its
perimeter, and not solid frozen.
Looking forward to the pic's WD.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer
I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.
Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.
Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 421 guests