R03 TR: Garnet and Thousand Island Lakes, July 2022

[LMBSGV]

This is a trip report and photos from a July trip to Garnet and Thousand Island lakes in which I followed the River Trail on the way in, went over the cross-country route from Garnet to Thousand Island, and took the High Trail back to Agnew Meadows. It’s my usual subjective combination of route description and personal observations.

The PDF of the report is here:

http://laurencebrauer.com/Images/TripRe ... nd-web.pdf

The photos are at the top of the page here:

http://laurencebrauer.com/ASITHSTripReports.html

[kpeter]

Some gorgeous images and a beautifully written narrative, as we have come to expect from you. So pleased you were able to get out to this magical place last summer, and more pleased that you vicariously took us along with you via your report.

[narc1370]

Wow... I am so glad I stumbled upon this thread. You take great pictures, but have an amazing way with your words... I found myself rereading certain passages. Thank you for this. I've bookmarked your site and will return often to read them when I need some inspiration. I hope you can get back to 1000 Island Lake again. It's still my favorite place in the sierras, and one that I can put past the throngs of hikers that are there. I always seem to find a bit of solitude when I get out there. Thank you again.

[wildhiker]

Thank you for a lovely report full of personal reflection. I agree 100% with your statement
"One wilderness maxim should be never miss a sunset except when it’s raining"
I find sunset to be a truly magical time. And Thousand Island Lake is magical at any time! My last trip there was in 2003 and I keep thinking I should plan a trip back there again.
-Phil

[Wandering Daisy]

Add to that, "never miss a sunrise", especially on the east side of the Sierra. When I encounter PCT hikers, I realize that their goal is to quickly hike to make the long-term objective of reaching the Canadian border. And for the "plugged-in generation", given they have to go fast, that for the few hours they have not walking, socializing is way more important than a wilderness experience. And I can relate; in my younger climbing days, I was more into the climb itself than the wilderness experience. However, I have been consistently antisocial most of my life

I did meet an older woman PCT hiker this summer who was specifically trying to spend more time on the trail and less in town and getting more of a wilderness experience; and a young woman CDT hiker who walked with me over a very scenic stretch of off-trail alternative, going slowly, saying she wanted to really soak in the scenery and could go faster later on the more boring sections of the trail. So, age is not aways the factor in how they choose to experience wilderness. But most thru-hikers seem to be more into the social experience than wilderness.

[kpeter]

I agree so much with the "never miss a sunrise or a sunset" philosophy. To me, the reason to be in the Sierra is, as Ansel Adams said, to experience the range of light. Just sitting still and watching the light change on the landscape during the two most dramatic moments of the day makes everything else worth while. Unfortunately, in contrast, I really don't much care for the light from about 11 to 3 (daylight savings time.) During those hours everything tends to look flat and grey, and my morale declines. The middle of the day is for trudging and chores.

Here is one of my favorite dawns at 1000 Island Lake.

1000 Island Lake at dawn, July 14, 2015

[LMBSGV]

Thank you kpeter, narc1370, wildhiker for your kind comments. And WD and kpeter, you are so right about “never miss a sunrise.” Anytime we go anywhere, I get up at dawn while my wife is still sleeping. As long as I leave her hot water for coffee so she can wake whenever she wants and write while drinking coffee, she’s perfectly content, while I’m off hoping for sunrise photos.

[Gogd]

Add to sunrises and sunsets: midday soaking in a vista on a ridge or peak, a mid afternoon interlude after lunch, in the shade, letting all of the senses report the surroundings without distractions, or a mid say electric storm, etc. Just because my camera doesn't appreciate broad daylight doesn't mean there isn't plenty worthy of my attention for my eyes and other senses to feast on. The Range of Light is good in all lighting conditions, that is implicit in her name. One of my big laments is not being able to capture high noon images without resorting to a bunch of layering and other photo lab manipulations, so others back home can see what I was attempting to record. Fortunately our eyes adapt to the lighting. It is all good under any light conditions. But I digress!

A fine and very substantial TR. I am still working on it. I really enjoy the experiential, first person context, sharing with us the mindscape your thoughts wonder along, and the interjection of side topics. Just as colorful as a good photo.

Ed

[kpeter]

Add to sunrises and sunsets: midday soaking in a vista on a ridge or peak, a mid afternoon interlude after lunch, in the shade, letting all of the senses report the surroundings without distractions, or a mid say electric storm, etc. Just because my camera doesn't appreciate broad daylight doesn't mean there isn't plenty worthy of my attention for my eyes and other senses to feast on. The Range of Light is good in all lighting conditions, that is implicit in her name. One of my big laments is not being able to capture high noon images without resorting to a bunch of layering and other photo lab manipulations, so others back home can see what I was attempting to record. Fortunately our eyes adapt to the lighting. It is all good under any light conditions. But I digress!

Of course you are right. I find that if I can find some shade in midday, and have moving water (or sparkles on a lake) or clouds to contemplate, or flowers to approach, then the midday can be magical too. But I have to work harder for those midday moments.

I remember once around midday around Hitchcock Lakes I was hot, tired, and a bit bored and demoralized. There was almost no shade to be had. I was going to summit Whitney the next day, and I had hours in the Hitchock Basin as I had arrived too early. After thoroughly exploring the lakes and the unusual rock formations, I finally found a 10' cliff that was casting about 12" of shade. It was grassy at its base. I lay down in the tiny strip of grassy shade and snoozed. The shadow spread, and I spent several hours contemplating the sky, the grass, and a small patch of lake that I could see from my vantage point. Brilliant greens and blues and red and gray rocks. Never will I forget those hours. As wonderful as Whitney was, I have a much more vivid memory of those hours in the shady strip than of the summit the next day. Nothing dramatic, but quite serene.