Just got back from 10 days in the Sierra!
Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:05 pm
June 29 - July 8
McGee Creek Backpack - Red Slate Mtn & Mt Crocker
Thor Peak
Hurd Peak and Chocolate Peak
Bishop Lakes Backpack - Mt Agassiz
Fri, June 29: Spent time in Mammoth with SnowDude and packed for the weekend backpack
Sat, June 30: SnowDude and I met Trailtrekker at McGee Creek Trailhead. He hiked in a few miles with us, then turned back to do some 4WD roads with the Rubi. We caught up with Naviguesser, who joined us for the evening. Navi made Shrimp Scampi for us. Yum!
Sun, July 1: Navi left after breakfast. Trailtrekker and I headed for McGee Pass, then bagged Red Slate Mountain (13,136’). Colorful views of some of the oldest rock in the Sierra.
Mon, July 2: Trailtrekker and I went over Hopkins Pass, up and over a 200’ rise, and bagged Mt Crocker (12,458'). The 3rd class summit block fun and the views were awesome! Didn’t find a register. We descended, up and over the 200’ rise again, and found a different route back to camp.
Tues, July 3: We had planned on another peak, but didn’t allow for moving camp. So we decided to save it for another day, and backpacked out, a day earlier than planned. She was coming back Fri night so this would give her a little time to get ready for the weekend. We went to the condo in Mammoth, showered, went shopping (to buy sandals, I lost one Teva on the trail), had lunch and Mango Marguerita’s at Whoa Nellie Deli (TTs first time), then drove to Tuolumne Meadows (TTs first time). Went back to the condo and looked at trip pix on the big screen TV.
Wed, July 4: TT had a long drive home but stopped at Lone Pine Visitor Center to meet up with Tomcat before heading to San Diego. Tomcat and I dayclimbed Thor Peak (12,306') via the 3rd class route from Girl Scout Lake, and down the SE couloir. Always fun doing a peak via a different route!
Thurs, July 5: I didn’t have a plan, but decided last minute to dayclimb Hurd Peak. Since it took so long for me to decide (go thru what few maps I had at the condo), I got a late start (10:30am). From the summit of Hurd Peak (12,237'), I could see precipitation all around me, but nothing where I was. I got back to Long Lake, and decided to bag Chocolate Peak (11,658') via Ruwau Lake trail. I signed the register on the back of the logbook (needs new book). On the way down I found a use fun use trail traversing above Chocolate Lakes. I got back to the parking lot at 9pm, and heard my name. It was Graham and friend Marty, there to climb some 14ers.
Fri, July 6: Slept in, did laundry, packed and picked up a permit for the weekend. As I was leaving town, I got a call from Trailtrekker about the (lightning) fires between Onion Valley and Big Pine, and the news about Hwy 395 being closed. TT pulled over and slept in Lone Pine. I drove to Big Pine to see what I could see. At 11:50pm, the CHP announced they were escorting. Later I drove to South Lake Trailhead for the night.
Sat, July 7: Trailtrekker made it to South Lake TH after about 4.5 hrs of sleep. While repacking, a few friends arrived for Sierrapalooza 2007. We spent more time than expected socializing, and got a late 10am start. We made it to Bishop Lakes by 12:50pm. After setting up camp and a quick lunch, we left at 2pm for Bishop Pass. We summitted Mt Agassiz (13,891') by 6:30pm, signed the register and took photos (hazy due to fires), and left by 7pm. We were back at camp by 9:50pm, with Windwalker flashing his light for us. After a late dinner, we were in bed by 11pm.
Sun, July 8: The Sierrapalooza group (Naviguesser, Phil, David, Hodgeman & Nancy, Ladyhiker, Mozark & Mary) packed up and left. Windwalker and Nathan were also there for the weekend only and were hiking out too. Trailtrekker and I were back to the vehicles by noon. We stopped at Parcher’s Ranch to say hi to Sierra Smitty and get a well deserved Choco-Taco. On the way home we saw lots of fire damage. I hope my donkey friend north of Independence is ok. The area where I saw him a few weeks ago was burnt all the way across Hwy 395.
Photos coming!
McGee Creek Backpack - Red Slate Mtn & Mt Crocker
Thor Peak
Hurd Peak and Chocolate Peak
Bishop Lakes Backpack - Mt Agassiz
Fri, June 29: Spent time in Mammoth with SnowDude and packed for the weekend backpack
Sat, June 30: SnowDude and I met Trailtrekker at McGee Creek Trailhead. He hiked in a few miles with us, then turned back to do some 4WD roads with the Rubi. We caught up with Naviguesser, who joined us for the evening. Navi made Shrimp Scampi for us. Yum!
Sun, July 1: Navi left after breakfast. Trailtrekker and I headed for McGee Pass, then bagged Red Slate Mountain (13,136’). Colorful views of some of the oldest rock in the Sierra.
Mon, July 2: Trailtrekker and I went over Hopkins Pass, up and over a 200’ rise, and bagged Mt Crocker (12,458'). The 3rd class summit block fun and the views were awesome! Didn’t find a register. We descended, up and over the 200’ rise again, and found a different route back to camp.
Tues, July 3: We had planned on another peak, but didn’t allow for moving camp. So we decided to save it for another day, and backpacked out, a day earlier than planned. She was coming back Fri night so this would give her a little time to get ready for the weekend. We went to the condo in Mammoth, showered, went shopping (to buy sandals, I lost one Teva on the trail), had lunch and Mango Marguerita’s at Whoa Nellie Deli (TTs first time), then drove to Tuolumne Meadows (TTs first time). Went back to the condo and looked at trip pix on the big screen TV.
Wed, July 4: TT had a long drive home but stopped at Lone Pine Visitor Center to meet up with Tomcat before heading to San Diego. Tomcat and I dayclimbed Thor Peak (12,306') via the 3rd class route from Girl Scout Lake, and down the SE couloir. Always fun doing a peak via a different route!
Thurs, July 5: I didn’t have a plan, but decided last minute to dayclimb Hurd Peak. Since it took so long for me to decide (go thru what few maps I had at the condo), I got a late start (10:30am). From the summit of Hurd Peak (12,237'), I could see precipitation all around me, but nothing where I was. I got back to Long Lake, and decided to bag Chocolate Peak (11,658') via Ruwau Lake trail. I signed the register on the back of the logbook (needs new book). On the way down I found a use fun use trail traversing above Chocolate Lakes. I got back to the parking lot at 9pm, and heard my name. It was Graham and friend Marty, there to climb some 14ers.
Fri, July 6: Slept in, did laundry, packed and picked up a permit for the weekend. As I was leaving town, I got a call from Trailtrekker about the (lightning) fires between Onion Valley and Big Pine, and the news about Hwy 395 being closed. TT pulled over and slept in Lone Pine. I drove to Big Pine to see what I could see. At 11:50pm, the CHP announced they were escorting. Later I drove to South Lake Trailhead for the night.
Sat, July 7: Trailtrekker made it to South Lake TH after about 4.5 hrs of sleep. While repacking, a few friends arrived for Sierrapalooza 2007. We spent more time than expected socializing, and got a late 10am start. We made it to Bishop Lakes by 12:50pm. After setting up camp and a quick lunch, we left at 2pm for Bishop Pass. We summitted Mt Agassiz (13,891') by 6:30pm, signed the register and took photos (hazy due to fires), and left by 7pm. We were back at camp by 9:50pm, with Windwalker flashing his light for us. After a late dinner, we were in bed by 11pm.
Sun, July 8: The Sierrapalooza group (Naviguesser, Phil, David, Hodgeman & Nancy, Ladyhiker, Mozark & Mary) packed up and left. Windwalker and Nathan were also there for the weekend only and were hiking out too. Trailtrekker and I were back to the vehicles by noon. We stopped at Parcher’s Ranch to say hi to Sierra Smitty and get a well deserved Choco-Taco. On the way home we saw lots of fire damage. I hope my donkey friend north of Independence is ok. The area where I saw him a few weeks ago was burnt all the way across Hwy 395.
Photos coming!
