R03/R01 TR: Kearsarge Pass to Upper Kern 7/28-8/5/19

[wsp_scott]

I can't figure out how to copy and paste photos from my blog, so this is going to be somewhat abbreviated and you can read the full story on my blog.

In 2018 I visited SEKI for the first time and fell in love viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19052

In December of 2018 I asked asked for and received a lot of very helpful advice viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19057

If you read the 2nd link, you will see that permit issues scrambled my plans. In short, I was hoping to enter/exit via Kearsarge Pass. I ended up with a permit for Shepherd Pass which made me nervous given the heavy snow this year. About a week before my trip, I randomly got on recreation.gov to see if people were canceling Shepherd permits and I found 10 Kearsarge permits for my day were available (I assume a large group canceled). So I ended up with a Kearsarge permit after all.

Caltopo says 76 miles and +/- 16500'

Day 0 (Lexington KY to Whitney Portal)

Day 1 (Onion Valley to Upper Vidette)

Day 2 (Vidette to Upper Kern area)

Day 3 (Day Hike to Milestone Basin and Lake South America)

Day 4 (Upper Kern Area to Shepherd Pass)

Day 5 (Shepherd Pass to Meadow on north side of Forester Pass)

Day 6 (Forester Pass to Kearsarge Lakes w/ side trip to Center Basin)

Day 7 (Day hike Kearsarge Lakes Basin)

Day 8 (Kearsarge Lakes to Onion Valley)

A couple highlight photos with lots more here https://backpackandbeer.blogspot.com/20 ... -2019.html

Bullfrog Lake


East Viddette and Bubbs Creek


Sky Pilot and Forester Pass


Sunset


Milestone Basin was buggy but beautiful


Upper Kern


Milky Way and Foxtail Pine


Mt Tyndall and Milky Way


Lupine and Milestone Mountain in the background


Sunset below Forester Pass


Lake 11276 below Forester Pass (north side)


Center Basin


Sunset over Kearsarge Lake


Wandering around between Kearsarge and Bullfrog


Kearsarge Pinnacles and Crescent Moon


One last look at the High Sierra


Summary/lessons learned: I thought that I wanted solitude and I still do. But, I don't mind interacting with people on the trail. In fact, with some people I enjoy it. It is interesting to hear what people are doing/where they are heading. And it is useful to get a little information about things like snow covered passes. It turns out that I don't need/want solitude while hiking, but I really like it once I setup camp. Kearsarge Lakes made this obvious and made me think of Charlotte Lake and Rae Lakes last summer. The crowded/noisy camping is what annoys me, not fellow hikers on something like the JMT. I figure it is a valuable trip if I learn something about myself and on this trip I did.

lots more detail/photos here https://backpackandbeer.blogspot.com/20 ... -2019.html

[sekihiker]

Thank for posting the report and including all those beautiful photos.

[robertseeburger]

Really beautiful photos of a great area to visit. Glad you got some time without pack in the upper kern for day hikes.. One of the best areas in the sierras to do this.

[kpeter]

I really like your sky pilot shot...nice foreground/background contrast.

[wsp_scott]

Glad you liked the photos

@robertseeburger I definitely want to get back to the upper kern area again to do some more wandering, it is a very beautiful and empty area

[davidsheridan]

Great photos!

[Pulpit]

Unreal photos, thanks for sharing!

[Cross Country]

Just like everyone else I was impressed by the gorgeous photos. I have been to all of these places 2 times each. Again, what beautiful photos. You have a really good eye. I have a good eye for photos but not nearly as good as yours.

[Wandering Daisy]

How was the trail up to Vidette Lake? It was not in very good condition about 5 years ago.

[wsp_scott]

How was the trail up to Vidette Lake? It was not in very good condition about 5 years ago.

I assume you are referencing the "Upper Vidette" part, I meant above Vidette Meadow on the JMT, I never got close to Vidette Lakes.