TR: Headwaters Kern R

[KathyW]

I need my wipes too - I'd be lost without them.

I have always looked up toward Junction Pass when on the Shepherd Pass trail, but it doesn't look easy. I don't think I'd plan to go over Junction Pass either.

[SweetSierra]

I've also not been over Forester Pass or to Center Basin. Nor to Miter Basin. Beautiful photos and interesting trip report. I've wanted to go to these places and it whetted my desire to take those paths.

[sparky]

Great trip report. Love the pictures of your camps at Milestone Basin and Thunder Mountain Basin. Stunning!

I also like using no clock. Up and down with the sun.

Thanks for taking the time to share this trip!

[freestone]

Sorry, I need to correct myself in my earlier post. I meant Junction Pass, not Shepherd Pass.

[giantbrookie]

Classic trip and report. Quite a fishing odyssey, too. What a great area.

[SSSdave]

Note for any that are merely interested in reaching the lower Tyndal Creek areas, the net vertical up and down going over Shepherd Pass and returning that same way is about 1620 feet less than out and back from Onion Valley over Forester Pass. This includes a route down to where the Shepherd and Forester passes meet lower down so would not be valid for someone staying up near the top of Shepherd Pass say to climb Tyndal.

Total vertical out and back via Shepherd is 8460 feet that includes 6630 from the trailhead to the pass and another 1170 back up on the west side to the pass. However if one starts at Onion Valley but exits at Shepherd Pass, it is 1325 feet less than Shepherd pass out and back or 7135 feet total up vertical though the mileage is considerably longer. Thus the logic of that popular semi loop though one pays with an extra day of travel.

[Shawn]

Thanks for posting the great trip report; it was a great read and beautiful photos.

[canukyea]

Since I haven't had a chance to do a significantly long trip this year, it's reports like these that have me salivating! Those are some gorgeous lakes and a route that is top quality fishing.

[TehipiteTom]

Great report.

I think I camped in the same spot at Vidette Lakes--there really isn't much else around there.

[KathyW]

Note for any that are merely interested in reaching the lower Tyndal Creek areas, the net vertical up and down going over Shepherd Pass and returning that same way is about 1620 feet less than out and back from Onion Valley over Forester Pass. This includes a route down to where the Shepherd and Forester passes meet lower down so would not be valid for someone staying up near the top of Shepherd Pass say to climb Tyndal.

Total vertical out and back via Shepherd is 8460 feet that includes 6630 from the trailhead to the pass and another 1170 back up on the west side to the pass. However if one starts at Onion Valley but exits at Shepherd Pass, it is 1325 feet less than Shepherd pass out and back or 7135 feet total up vertical though the mileage is considerably longer. Thus the logic of that popular semi loop though one pays with an extra day of travel.

Since that recent flash flood along the Shepherd Pass Trail, there is an extra 100 or so feet gain each way because you have to go up to get around the big gully before Anvil Camp; so add a good 200 feet to an out-and-back trip via Shepherd Pass.

I came up with about 14,000' gain from the Shepherd Pass Trailhead to Milestone Peak and back out again.