SEKI hike advice needed.

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
AlmostThere
Topix Addict
Posts: 2724
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:38 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: SEKI hike advice needed.

Post by AlmostThere »

I will lodge a slightly different opinion. I have rerouted long trips a number of times due to lightening storms - waking up and watching the lightening going nuts high above has sent us in another direction quite a bit. Listen to rangers if you run into them! Those poor long suffering fellows have been right more than once as they described to me when the storms would roll in and dump rain and shower the range with light.

Since lightening can and does travel for miles... you can only reduce risk, not eliminate it. Here is the NOLS Lightening safety article.
http://rendezvous.nols.edu/files/Curric ... elines.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You may be able to do the miles, but you are traveling across a country to get to a place that you may rarely visit again. Take your time.

One of my favorite meadows is at 10,000 feet, in the Tablelands - a trail-less expanse of granite slab and boulders. A large mushy meadow full of shooting stars and huge yellow columbines. They are removing the fish from Moose Lake sometime soon but the views and the scenery are more than adequate to draw me back each year.
User avatar
Ikan Mas
Topix Regular
Posts: 374
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:43 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: SEKI hike advice needed.

Post by Ikan Mas »

First: Here's the the Lodgepole-Twin Lakes-Commanche Meadow-Roaring River-Ranger Meadow Elizabeth Pass trip: http://highsierratopix.com/community/vi ... 417#p74417" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It's 60 miles and we did it in six days. We're older, but very much used to the altitude. It was a great trip. Lots to see and enjoy. Deadman Canyon is spectacular.

Second: You're going out for what looks like a bunch of days. You know that you have to carry a bear canister in Sequoia, correct? A bear canister holds, at most, eight days worth of food. So, unless you carry two canisters (and there are people that do that) that kind of limits your time out on the trail, unless someone else restocks you. The rangers will probably want to see your bear canister and it is the law. Not trying to discourage you, but as with all of us, its important to know what your constraints are. Make sure that your pack will comfortably accomodate the bear canister.

Third: Altitude: Unless you have been over 10,000 feet before, its really hard to tell how it will affect you. I have seen both the experienced and the inexperienced suffer (and that is the correct word) with it. Unfortunately, one can't tell if it will hit, so make the trip and be prepared to deal with it. Typically, on a first day going from sea level to 9500+ feet elevation, at a minimum, you will probably feel the tips of your fingers tingle.

Lastly: Being concerned about lightning is a good thing. The darn fools that continue up over the pass during a lightning storm are hard to understand.

Hopes this helps you fill a few more blanks. Make sure you send a report when you are done.
User avatar
Mike M.
Topix Expert
Posts: 647
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 10:50 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: SEKI hike advice needed.

Post by Mike M. »

Because we've had so little precip this weather year, skeeter season should be over by the time you hit the trail in late July, making camping near meadows (like Big Wet Meadow) an enjoyable experience rather than one big annoyance.

Mike
User avatar
RoguePhotonic
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1693
Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:52 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Bakersfield CA
Contact:

Re: SEKI hike advice needed.

Post by RoguePhotonic »

You know that you have to carry a bear canister in Sequoia, correct?
Actually you don't in any of the areas they are hiking to but as always it's still a good idea to have one. If nothing else it will protect your food from mice and squirrels.
User avatar
rlown
Topix Docent
Posts: 8225
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Wilton, CA

Re: SEKI hike advice needed.

Post by rlown »

I agree with Rogue on carrying the can.

Now, on this:
Second: You're going out for what looks like a bunch of days. You know that you have to carry a bear canister in Sequoia, correct? A bear canister holds, at most, eight days worth of food. So, unless you carry two canisters (and there are people that do that) that kind of limits your time out on the trail, unless someone else restocks you. The rangers will probably want to see your bear canister and it is the law. Not trying to discourage you, but as with all of us, its important to know what your constraints are. Make sure that your pack will comfortably accomodate the bear canister.
Only 8 days? i can carry 10-12 days (bearikade 12") and we need to be specific about the can you're carrying and what food stuff you carry.

On my trips, everyone carries their own bear can. Split up the food as you will at that point.
User avatar
tim
Topix Expert
Posts: 516
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 2:36 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Bay Area

Re: SEKI hike advice needed.

Post by tim »

Given you have a drop off, rather than taking the shuttle, I would suggest starting at Marvin Pass. That allows you to have a couple of shorter, lower elevation days at the start of the hike which will make acclimatization easier and give you some extra time for a hike up Deadman Canyon.
With a first day to Sugerloaf, second day to Deadman Canyon and a third day back round to Cloud Canyon, you should have plenty of time to acclimatize before going over 10K feet.

On the bear can issue, I assume you will carry one can each for 8-10 days. But if you are renting a can other than the Bearikade you will need to be careful about volume. Probably worth trying it out before you head off to CA!
User avatar
Fallujah04
Topix Novice
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:43 am
Experience: N/A

Re: SEKI hike advice needed.

Post by Fallujah04 »

Wow. Thank you all for the awesome advice! A lot of stuff to think about and will probably adjust the route/number of days.

As far as bear canisters, we're probably both going to carry one. We've always hung our food but a bear canister seems more convenient, albeit more weight. We might even buy one for use in the Smokies since it's pretty dense with black bears. The majority of our food is freeze dried so that should save on space.

Getting acclimated is a concern. The highest I've hiked is Mt. Fuji (12,388), essentially starting at sea level and was at the top a few hours later. I didn't feel the effects, but than again, we wern't at the top very long. Since we don't plan on camping at over 10k feet for at least the first few nights, do you think it will be an issue? Is it common to have high altitude sickness at 9k? I know my ex-wife felt sick when we visited Giant Sequoia but when I took my current wife she was fine (but that's only around 7k feet).

We definitely want to push ourselves and do a route that is challenging, as long as we have time to take pictures and reach our campsites a few hours before the sun drops. We both love the feeling of being completely worn out at the end of the day. haha.

After doing more research and taking into account what you guys said, I gonna change my route quite a bit, go the opposite direction and make it 10-11 days instead of 8. Which of these routes do you think would be better for flowers/forest/meadows/lakes? best passes? and which do you think would be an overall more challenging hike? (I've been tempted to plan a hike in the Cascades as it seems to match my wive's taste more!)

Route 1 - Wolverton --> Nine-mile creek --> Hamilton --> Big Arroyo -- > Moraine Lake --> Junction Meadow --> Colby Lake --> Roaring River then doing the Rye Lakes loop --> Roaring River --> Bubbs Creek --> Charlotte Lake --> Woods Creek Crossing --> Road's End = 11 days/10 nights

Route 2 - Same as above except head south from Roaring River up Deadman's Canyon. Roaring River --> Upper Ranger Meadow --> Bearpaw Meadow --> Pinto Lake --> Lost Canyon --> Over Sawtooth Pass to Mineral King. 12 days/11 nights

We will have a few days extra to spare in case we get held up/feel like we bit off more than we can chew and a few options to take alternate routes to cut the hike short if need be. Another question, do you guys prefer Junction Meadow or Gallats Lake?

Thanks again for everyone who has spent the time to give suggestions.
User avatar
sekihiker
Founding Member
Posts: 955
Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:47 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Fresno
Contact:

Re: SEKI hike advice needed.

Post by sekihiker »

Considering your fitness levels and experience, I think the only unknown will be your reaction to higher elevation. Your experience with Fuji, however, bodes well. I have been criticized many times over the years for the daily milage I used to put in on hikes. But, in my opinion, slow hiking is for older hikers like myself. "More miles, more smiles," is what young and exceptionally fit hikers should be thinking. Plan the hike so you have bailout places along the way if problems develop. Ideas for ambitious hikes in Sequoia-Kings Canyon can be found at my website: http://www.sierrahiker.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
Wandering Daisy
Topix Docent
Posts: 6635
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:19 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento area)
Contact:

Re: SEKI hike advice needed.

Post by Wandering Daisy »

Everyone has their own style of hiking. If yours is making miles, that is fine. I would then add a day or two to see MORE country, not necessarily slow down. Deadman Caynon is a fine few hour day-hike from Roaring River. Same with a jaunt up the head of the Kern Keweah above Gallet's Lake. I personally was not that impressed with Kern Hot Springs or Kern Canyon. Others rave about this place. Some day-hiking in Nine Lakes Basin would be very worthwhile. I have not taken the trail out to Mineral King from Bearpaw so cannot comment. The route out to Crescent Meadow or Wolverton has some very scenic sections. I personally would rather take the quick route out to Crescent Meadow (you can take a shuttle bus back to Wolverton) and spend half a day hiking up Pine Creek? (the valley on the back side of Angle Wings).

There are numerous bear boxes along your route. One at Ranger Meadow. The amount needed to be put in the bear canister can be reduced if plan on first night at a camp with a bear box. You may be able to rent a Bearikad Expedition can. I would call ahead and try to reserve one of these. For a 7+ day trip you may both have to carry a bear can.

It is also informative to think about reversing the route. Sometimes the logistics just work better when a route is reversed. With an early start (7AM) I have made it to Hamilton Lake carrying a heavy pack on the first day. The altitude is moderate and the elevation gain is lots of little ups and downs and the trail is well maintained. It is a bit of a march, but doable. And if you poop out there are plenty of campsites with bear boxes. Not saying the reverse is a better route, but something to consider.

This is just my opinion, but as nice as Emigrant Wilderness is, SEKI is much more spectacular. If this is your first time in the Sierra, SEKI would be my choice.

Another thought - since you have someone willing to pick you up, an alternative entry would be from Roads End (Cedar Grove), over Avalanche Pass. The best strategy for this is first night at the Sphinx Trail junction and second day at Ranger Meadow.
User avatar
Fallujah04
Topix Novice
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:43 am
Experience: N/A

Re: SEKI hike advice needed.

Post by Fallujah04 »

Thanks! That's what I was thinking. I have uploaded file that shows what I'm thinking. Basically, once we get to Roaring River on day 7 (tentative), we will have to choose to go north to Rae Lakes, South to Mineral King, or west to Ranger Lake. If we get to Roaring River later than planned or earlier than planned it will effect which route we choose.

I forgot to mention that I've hiked the Shadow Lakes area in Mammoth growing up and my buddy and I were caught in that "freak" snowstorm in Oct 19-22 of 04' that required multiple SAR backpacker rescues. Luckily, we managed to hike out from Moose Lake, but it sucked. So I've had a SMALL taste of the Sierra Nevada's. Oh, awesome website btw!

Wandering Daisy - Thank you. I did decide to reverse my route and it would be awesome if we could make it to Hamilton the first day. We really want to stay there and it would cut out a short 6 mile day (giving us an extra day). I think the main reason I'm going through the Kern Canyon is because I want to hike the section to Kaweah gap and also Gallats Lake/Colby Lake area and I hate backtracking. If I wasn't so worried about lightning I would try to x-country it through Nine Lake basin and skip the Kern and Big Arroyo canyons completely. I just don't want to be above treeline that long (although I'm probably just being way over concerned.)

Edit: My file was too big. :(
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], sekihiker and 28 guests