Vidette Lakes

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
TehipiteTom
Founding Member
Posts: 953
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:42 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Vidette Lakes

Post by TehipiteTom »

Looking for beta on the Vidette Lakes basin--basically, whether it's a worthwhile destination (photogenic, decent campsite potential, etc.) given that I have to be in the Kearsarge Pass area anyway. I know the general area is pretty crowded, and I'm resigned to that, but also looking for one night at least to get some solitude. Based on the map, Vidette Lakes look like the easiest way to achieve that. (Alternate possibility would be Center Basin, although that's further out of my way.)

Any thoughts from the folks who've been there?
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: Vidette Lakes

Post by copeg »

Was up there in 2004 - nice area, it was relatively easy to get to as far as cross country travel goes, and off the beaten track enough for some solitude. There is a nob about halfway up the canyon that is worth a visit to the top - I sat up there for hours checking out the view. I visited early in the season, so much of everything was snow covered. Crossing Bubbs was the biggest hurdle - a fallen tree made things much easier early in the season.

View north from the lowest lake
Image

Heading out early morning
Image
User avatar
TehipiteTom
Founding Member
Posts: 953
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:42 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Vidette Lakes

Post by TehipiteTom »

Beautiful! Thanks, that's helpful.
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11823
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Vidette Lakes

Post by maverick »

Hi Tom,

It is a pretty basin worth visiting and you will not have a lot of company.
I do not now your potential route but you can use Deerhorn Saddle to get
access into the East Creek drainage which is outstanding.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7045&hilit=vidette+lakes" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.google.com/search?q=photos+ ... 45&bih=896" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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
User avatar
TehipiteTom
Founding Member
Posts: 953
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:42 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Vidette Lakes

Post by TehipiteTom »

Thanks. Deerhorn sounds good for a longer trip, but not really feasible for this one (unless I dayhike it). I'm cramming two trips into one week (the other is over Mono Pass); first day I doubt I'll get farther than Kearsarge Lakes, third night has to be at Charlotte Lake, so Vidette Lakes is the fill-in day between them.
User avatar
sparky
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1029
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:01 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Vidette Lakes

Post by sparky »

Tom, last year I went to the bench lake/matlock lake area, up to an unnamed pass directly above the tarn above bench lake. It was easy, i went up class 2 sand, but the ckass 3 rock to the right would have been better. Once at the pass, university peak, university shoulder & or center basin is well within reach. Also a nice view down the kearsage lakes basin. Large boulder talus for days, but its pretty solid. University shoulder is sandy/scree-y

The most important part is I saw no one after i left the kearsage lakes trail. It would be fairly easy to reach center basin in this way....just food for thought.

If you want more info or pics just pm me
User avatar
TehipiteTom
Founding Member
Posts: 953
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:42 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Vidette Lakes

Post by TehipiteTom »

Interesting route. I have to do Kearsarge Pass in at least one direction, but that could be an alternative worth considering.
User avatar
sparky
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1029
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:01 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Vidette Lakes

Post by sparky »

you can see the pass here, the low point on the north ridge of University Peak @ around 11,900 SW from the tarn shown on the map and NE of University Shoulder. I hit the trail after work on a Friday, and camped @ Bench Lake. The hike up to the pass from here was easy. Steep loose sandy scree for the last 60 feet or so. I hate that stuff. I wasn't in a position to get on the rock that was on my right (north) but checking it out before the descent might save a lot of energy. The rock looked solid.



HST Map
DSCN0467 (1024x768).jpg
DSCN0475 (1024x768).jpg
DSCN0488 (1024x768).jpg
DSCN0494 (1024x768).jpg
Once at the top of the pass, you will see your best bet to get to University Shoulder, which you should be descending into Center basin 30 min to an hour after topping out on the crest. Expect large bouldery talus from volkswagon size to trashcan size but it is stable. University shoulder proper is steep sandy scree.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Baffman
Topix Regular
Posts: 126
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 7:35 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Fernley, NV, formerly Independence, CA

Re: Vidette Lakes

Post by Baffman »

It's a steep but short climb up to the lakes from Bubbs Creek. It's well worth it.
User avatar
John Dittli
Topix Expert
Posts: 479
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:38 am
Experience: N/A
Location: Crooked Creek
Contact:

Re: Vidette Lakes

Post by John Dittli »

Pretty place. This is what it looks like in February, for grins-
1003_1661_D1A.jpg
1003_1663_D1A.jpg
1003_1666_D1A.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Walk the Sky: Following the John Muir Trail
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: BakoGal, BarkingSpider, Google [Bot], Google Adsense [Bot], shawnterustic, Spicer'sVet, SweetSierra and 133 guests