R01 TR: lost and found in the tablelands (sept 2022)

[Jimr]

I've been in your situation a few times. My take is when you are hiking together, stay together.

[dlopilato]

I camped above Table Meadows on Sept 15, so probably right around this time. It was amazing up there. I started on the Lakes Trail and ended up crossing Tablelands Pass and dropping down into Deadman Canyon, but I wish I had done your route instead. I exited over Elizabeth Pass and out the HST. Descending Elizabeth was so hard on my knees it ended my hiking season! I foresee a lot of squats and lunges this off-season...

[frozenintime]

@dlopilato lonely lake is an exceptional lake in that vicinity as well

[dlopilato]

@dlopilato lonely lake is an exceptional lake in that vicinity as well

I saw it from afar and will probably be back for it sometime next year! I thought I would camp there for a night but decided to stay on trail as I was tired of cross-country travel by the time I made it down into Deadman. But I ended up biting off more trail than I really wanted.

I was shocked by how easy it was to get up to Table Meadows, it's a really fast ascent and doable in a day with the passthrough permit. Wandering up the creek past Pear Lake was beautiful and meditative, the perfect backcountry experience with a nice payoff at the end. Curious what that area looks like when the meadows are green, though I imagine the mosquitoes can get pretty bad.

[frozenintime]

yeah, i only recently learned of the lakes trail pass through walk up permit. certainly the quickest way into the tablelands and the lakes trail is quite beautiful once you get out of the forest. table meadows is a special place.

[creekfeet]

Great route and photos! You captured the essence of that country beautifully. I especially enjoyed the shots along the granite highway from Beville to Crescent Lake.

I fully agree with you about the mundane nature of the Twin Lakes Trail. The route from Little Lakes over the crest is much more fun and scenic, and the final climb is super mellow for a cross-country pass. Cresting from Silliman Lake to Crescent Lake is also a classic route, although the descent can be kind of sketchy.

Also, I have one pretty ridiculous nitpick from your extended report. What you refer to as “B.H. Lake” (It feels uncouth to use the name here) at the head of Horse Creek is known colloquially among park staff as Acid Meadows. The true B.H. Lake is actually fully titled B.H. Finger Lake (To make it even more graphic), and is a tiny, insignificant, never visited speck of a pond at 10,800 elevation, NNE of the Pear Lake ranger station.

I was in a smoky, boozy cabin in Lodgepole when that name was conceived by a charming fellow who now ranges the King’s Canyon backcountry. Gotta say, it cracks me up to no end that the spirit of the name has lived on, and that a ranger had the gall to share it with you, even if something got lost in translation.

[frozenintime]

@creekfeet ha, i love this correction. you know, i think the ranger may have included the “finger” in the name — it sounds familiar and i probably just forgot. acid meadows is a better name, tbh— redolent of some memorable days i’m sure.

i think the naming of things, even (especially?) in this informal, unofficial way, is really interesting and worth documenting. thanks for the insight

[scottre76]

Excellent TR and website, I love the Sierra and off-trail! do you post anywhere else? I would like to learn more about your gear and trips.

[gregebert3]

What a great trip report! Thanks for sharing, amazing images.

I am heading up on a similar route this summer. I was wondering if you What is the travel like between Ranger Lake and the tablelands? I have heard mixed reports on some class 3 scrambles getting up to/over and past crescent lake. It looks pretty simple on maps.. but I don't want to underestimate that section.

Thanks!

[frozenintime]

you shouldn't have any issues. i think we maybe did what could be considered a single class 3 move on the east side of crescent lake, but i'm almost certain that it could be avoided if you wanted.