2012 SEKI Loop - Picket Creek/Kaweah Basin

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
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: 2012 SEKI Loop - Picket Creek/Kaweah Basin

Post by maverick »

Oh yeah, my favorite basin in the Sierra. Thank you so much for bringing back some great memories of this enchanting place. The views of the Kaweah ridgeline from the middle of the basin are mesmerizing, and one can sit for hours just taking in the gorgeous view. I shot that same ridge, almost from the same spot as you, as it turned golden from the morning sunlight several years ago.
Picket Lake has got to be one of the best swimming pools in the Sierra, and then add in a gorgeous backdrop, making it the perfect camp spot.
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
FeetFirst
Topix Regular
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2011 11:35 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: West Sacramento, CA
Contact:

Re: 2012 SEKI Loop - Picket Creek/Kaweah Basin

Post by FeetFirst »

Wow, absolutely beautiful! I need to do some trips in the south.
I'm still rather convinced that you can achieve more than you've ever dreamed of if you just lower your standards.
User avatar
exodus
Topix Acquainted
Posts: 45
Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 3:33 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: 2012 SEKI Loop - Picket Creek/Kaweah Basin

Post by exodus »

Wow. Wow. Wow. What a trip! How many days was it total?
User avatar
Wandering Daisy
Topix Docent
Posts: 6640
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:19 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento area)
Contact:

Re: 2012 SEKI Loop - Picket Creek/Kaweah Basin

Post by Wandering Daisy »

Beautiful photos! I did a similar trip years ago in October. It was quite dry and Keweah Basin was very tired looking, also due to smoke in the air due to forest fires, and all the small lakes in the basin were dry. I never got a good photo of the Keweahs. I want to get back into this area earlier in the season. Your trip inspires me to get this done this year!
User avatar
lambertiana
Topix Regular
Posts: 177
Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 3:13 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: 2012 SEKI Loop - Picket Creek/Kaweah Basin

Post by lambertiana »

We took nine days for the trip. I enjoyed it immensely. Not only were the lake on Picket Creek and Kaweah Basin spectacular, but I was also impressed by Deadman Canyon. I had been up Cloud Canyon before, and looking at the topo I was not expecting Deadman to be even nicer. And the views from the high trail above Bearpaw looking up the Hamilton and Tamarack drainages were also quite nice.

I will definitely do this one again, perhaps next year. I'm working on getting my niece to come, as well as my twin brother (her father). This year's big trip will be eight days out of Mineral King to explore a lot of the Little Five Lakes/Big Five Lakes/Big Arroyo/Rattlesnake Creek area. I will also visit an unnamed lake on the east end of the Sawtooth-Needham ridge that I would bet has not been visited by humans in a long time (I have never heard of anyone reporting a visit to it). Someone just bailed on me, so I have space on my permit....

My biggest regret is that I currently only get two weeks of vacation each year, and, since my wife's idea of a long hike is from the far end of the parking lot to the store, I can't use all of my vacation time on backpacking and expect to have peace at home.
User avatar
lambertiana
Topix Regular
Posts: 177
Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 3:13 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: 2012 SEKI Loop - Picket Creek/Kaweah Basin

Post by lambertiana »

Wandering Daisy - I remember you telling me that you did not like Pyra-Queen col, possibly because of the high winds you encountered. When I was there it was a perfectly calm day.
User avatar
gchikes
Topix Novice
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2012 10:00 am
Experience: N/A
Location: Visalia,CA

Re: 2012 SEKI Loop - Picket Creek/Kaweah Basin

Post by gchikes »

Great TR and awsome pictures! I will be picking that same route up at Gallats Lake via Milestone Basin and points north the first week of July. Your pictures of Kaweah Basin, and especially Pyra-Queen Col, are going to be really helpful. Thanks.
User avatar
DoyleWDonehoo
Founding Member
Posts: 480
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:06 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: San Jose, CA
Contact:

Re: 2012 SEKI Loop - Picket Creek/Kaweah Basin

Post by DoyleWDonehoo »

You certainly hit some of the best back-country of SEKI. It brought back memories of my visit to all those places. It all looks exactly as I remember it. Thanks for posting!
Doyle W. Donehoo
Sierra Trails:
http://www.doylewdonehoo.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
lensman137
Topix Acquainted
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2013 1:29 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: 2012 SEKI Loop - Picket Creek/Kaweah Basin

Post by lensman137 »

Beautiful photos and trip report. Been there a couple of times. The last time was around ten years ago. I'm overdue for another visit. Maybehopefully this year. :-)
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google Adsense [Bot], gtw_smooth_ambler, islandmeadow, walipriest and 126 guests