Long-time lurker, first-time (I think) poster here. Hailing out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama (temporarily) though currently in Los Angeles for the Summer.
Earlier this year, I came upon the Big SEKI Loop. Needless to say, I was inspired. I was able to secure a few weeks off this summer, and will be enjoying it in the Sierra.
The BSL was perfect for me, However, I really wanted to check Whitney out. However, since I understand that some are very protective of the term BSL and any deviations from it are grounds for immediate beheading, I added an extra “B” to it, so as not to ruffle any feathers
This plan will follow the BSL route all the way, with the exception of getting off-trail by Whitney Creek. At that point, I will be working my way across to the PCT/Crabtree Meadow.
This trip is sketched out in comfortable, under 20 mi days, for 10 days total. I am likely going to be going at a faster pace, so slight adjustments may happen. However, I worked in a 2-day buffer, in the case I feel like taking a short day and sucking up the air.
Caltopo here: http://caltopo.com/m/17FM
Day Start End Mileage Total
1 Road's End Roaring River 15.3 15.3
2 Roaring River Hamilton Lake 16.6 31.9
3 Hamilton Lake Moraine Lake 15.8 47.7
4 Moraine Lake Guitar Lake 20.6 68.3
5 Guitar Lake Wallace Creek 16 84.3
6 Wallace Creek Vidette Lake 16.3 100.6
7 Vidette Lake Twin Lakes 18.1 118.7
8 Twin Lakes Palisade Lakes 15.3 134
9 Palisade Lakes Simpson Mdw. 17.8 151.8
10 Simpson Mdw. Roads End 22.5 174.3
(these distances are a bit off).
Comment away – particularly anyone that has cut across through Whitney Creek lately (I hear there might have been some ground shift due to snow in the past year or two that might have affected the route, but cannot find any confirmation). I'm cross-posting from another site, since you folks here are particularly wise in the ways of the Sierra.
