Upper Gorge of Despair

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cgundersen
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Upper Gorge of Despair

Post by cgundersen »

I was just going to enquire whether anyone had visited Gorge of Despair and I saw this TR. Great photos of the valley segment! Has anyone visited the upper part of "The Gorge"?
cg
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vandman
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Re: tehipite to tunemah to ionian - trip report

Post by vandman »

These guys have been to the top of the gorge...http://www.summitpost.org/gorge-of-despair/152446" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://wildernessjournals.tumblr.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://vanmiller.tumblr.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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TehipiteTom
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Re: tehipite to tunemah to ionian - trip report

Post by TehipiteTom »

Here's the upper end of the Gorge of Despair from Harrington Pass:
Image
Looks like you could descend a ways without any technical climbing; looks pretty spectacular if you do.
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hal
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Re: tehipite to tunemah to ionian - trip report

Post by hal »

Sigh .... my last solo backpacking trip was to the Gorge of Despair, after a scramble over Harrington Pass, many years ago. It was one of my most memorable trips, and it was not technical descending in the gorge. I had the place to myself for a couple of days, and bagged one of western peaks, but I can't remember the name. It had a register on top, though. Also, I saw some piles of small quartz pebbles that looked like they were man-made, so I've always wondered if folks were checking out the place for gold. I think I followed the route as outlined by Secor.

Brian R
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TehipiteTom
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Re: tehipite to tunemah to ionian - trip report

Post by TehipiteTom »

hal wrote:Sigh .... my last solo backpacking trip was to the Gorge of Despair, after a scramble over Harrington Pass, many years ago. It was one of my most memorable trips, and it was not technical descending in the gorge. I had the place to myself for a couple of days, and bagged one of western peaks, but I can't remember the name. It had a register on top, though. Also, I saw some piles of small quartz pebbles that looked like they were man-made, so I've always wondered if folks were checking out the place for gold. I think I followed the route as outlined by Secor.

Brian R
Sounds like a great trip. Any photos?
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hal
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Re: tehipite to tunemah to ionian - trip report

Post by hal »

I made the trek about 15 years ago, before digital cameras were the norm. I have transparencies, but no scanner. But photography was always a first and foremost activity in the morning and evenings, when shadows created depth. Back in the day when I lugged a Nikon F, Sekonic Spotmeter, 28mm, and 105mm lenses along for the ride. There was nothing ultralight about my solo trips.

Brian R
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cgundersen
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Re: tehipite to tunemah to ionian - trip report

Post by cgundersen »

Tehipite/Vandman,
Thanks guys; that looks like a great late season option. And, given the dearth of reports on that region, I'd guess it's peaceful even when other places are crawling. Well, another trip for the wisk list!
cg
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maverick
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Re: Upper Gorge of Despair

Post by maverick »

Hi CG,

Split this topic so not to piggyback of the OP thread.
That whole place is pretty and relatively easy crosscountry. Swamp and Slide Lakes
are just gorgeous. The upper Slide Lake is surprisingly emerald green which was a
treat. Followed Slide Creek down to the its junction with Kennedy Creek where things
started to get pretty steep. Would love to revisit the area and see the lowest and western
most lakes of the Swamp Lake region.
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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
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cgundersen
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Re: Upper Gorge of Despair

Post by cgundersen »

Hi Mav,
Imagine my surprise when I saw this thread, but it all makes sense. It'll be a year or two before this area rises to the top of the heap, but I'm certainly looking forward to a part of the Sierra I've seldom visited. Great photo from the Harrington ridge!
Thanks,
cg
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maverick
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Re: Upper Gorge of Despair

Post by maverick »

Make sure you include the Volcanic Lakes area too.
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
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