R03/R01 TR: North Lake to South Lake via Lamarck Col 7/24-7/28/17

[MRrogers]

Well, for me, Day Hike, and my buds (Downhill, Grizzly and Trash) this was definitely high adventure and a little more than we bargained for. However, we accomplished a lot, experienced new experiences, survived and enjoyed the beauty of the Sierras. What an awesome year to experience it.

I think I will try to sum up the trip in one sentence. Dynamite, creek crossings, snow fields, lost trails, snow bridges, tri-tip, bouldering, hail, wrong summit, dam canyon, birthdays, blue moons, fishing, night skies, great acquaintances, flatulance, boo boos, puckering, exhaustion, joy, triumph, relief, easily found trails, wild flowers, rain, 8 bucks, friendship, brisket.

Here are some pics in chronological order.

Crew getting ready to dynamite the trail


Lower Lamarck Lake


First night campsite below lake below Lamarck Col


Wildflower at 12k feet


Lake at base of Lamarck Col


Lamarck Col


Darwin Canyon





Darwin Bench




Evolution Lake








Inlet to Evolution Lake


Sapphire Lake


Wanda Lake




Muir Pass







Muir Pass towards Helen Lake and approximately 3 miles beyond






Hike down to LeConte Ranger Station




Hiking up to Dusy Basin







Dusy Basin










Bishop Pass to South Lake







Stats reviewed during brisket feeding


Until next time, enjoy the pics and now time to rest(not really because I have kids).

[Lumbergh21]

Nice pics. I especially like the night sky and the headlamp pic. I hope most of that is melted by the time I'm at Darwin Bench and Lakes in a few weeks.

[cslaght]

What a trip! Love the shots at night and man the snow up there lingering along.

[kpeter]

Reliving that loop vicariously never gets old. From your pictures, it does look very similar to the same week in 2011. Wanda was about 90% frozen then and just melting out a little around its outlet, and I walked on snow from part way around Sapphire until well below Helen, although there were a few dry patches around Wanda (I camped on one.) What a great looking adventure you had! Thank you for sharing!

[Wandering Daisy]

Amazing photos of the deer. I rarely see wildlife in the Sierra like that. I am surprised that you could actually cross on those stepping stones at Sapphire Lake. I thought the water would be higher.

[SSSdave]

Looks like prime green aesthetic time in that crest zone is going to be mid August this year, about 2 to 3 weeks late.

David

[giantbrookie]

Nice. The deer and nightime photos are particularly choice.

[skierick]

It was a great trip. Thank you for the trip report and planning the epic adventure Day Hike!!! It's hard to filter through all the pictures since they are all so great.

[vinjo]

The night sky with the headlamp is one of the best night pictures I have ever seen. Awesome deer photos!

[Jason]

Gorgeous photos. Never been there but that looks like a super fun loop. Thanks for the report, it's a welcome diversion while I sit here in my cubicle thinking about the mountains.