R03/R04 TR: Piute Pass - Desolation Lake - Four Gables 10.25-10.26 2013

[KathyW]

I headed up the Piute Pass Trail a little before 10 am on Friday (10.25.13). I switched from my hiking shoes to my hiking boots when I saw some snow even lower than the parking area, but I should have just left the shoes because I never ran into much snow along my route.

There was a little ice in Loch Leven, but that was the only lake I saw with ice. It does seem a bit colder around Loch Leven - maybe because the canyon is narrow there.

I made it the 9 miles to Desolation Lake as it was starting to cool off; so I got my tent set up and changed into my warm clothes (Lots of layers for me because I don't like being cold at night - lightweight long johns with heavyweight fleece over them on the bottom and two long sleeve shirts, a down sweater, a synthetic puffy jacket with a hood, and another slightly heavier down jacket on the top. Plus, chemical toe warmers and down booties). I was able to watch a beautiful sunset and then stay warm all night long with all those layers on. I usually make a cup of coffee and have it in the evening with some cookies, but I packed peppermint tea for this trip and it tasted so good on a cold night. I'd guess it was in the low 20's overnight.

Saturday (10/26/13): A long day, but another beautiful day. I started out from camp about 7 am and hiked up to Four Gables. I got up there fairly quickly for me, but then I spent a bunch of time wandering looking at the view and wondering which bump was the summit (didn't see a register but I think it might have been covered with snow because I checked out all the possible bumps). Then I realized I needed to go over to the southwest summit to see more of the view; so I headed over there before wandering back to camp. There was some snow up on the summit and a dusting on the north facing slopes, but a lot less than I had expected. Once back at Desolation Lake, I packed up and headed out. It got dark about a mile before I got to to the trailhead and it got cold fast - the temperature was down to 32 degrees by the time I got to my truck a little after 7 pm.

Photos and map (I still need to add captions): https://www.kathywing.com/CaliforniaHik ... 720-102713

[Rockchucker]

Great report and pictures. About the amount of snow I expected. I too like to get bundled up at night.

[kpeter]

Sounds like a cozy trip! I envy those who can see this terrain at this time of year. That was a nice sunset shot across Desolation Lake. I also particularly liked your slides 20 and 31. Nice composition.

[maverick]

Thanks Kathy for the TR and the pictures! It answers the questions to my earlier
questions on an earlier post.

[KathyW]

I wouldn't want to have been camped at Desolation Lake last night or today.

I was worried about that storm and wanted to be back out on Saturday just in case it came in early. It all worked out nicely. I'm likely done backpacking in the High Sierra until next April when the snow consolidates and the days start getting longer; so it was nice to get one last trip in for the season. That avalanche danger in the winter scares me.

[Bluewater]

Thanks for posting your tr and photos. Since the season it pretty much over I especially enjoyed living vicariously through your pictures!

[Jimr]

I showed my son your pics last night. We'll be in French Canyon next year and he wants to take a day hike up to Four Gables. Maybe a good early morning hike just at dawn.

[SSSdave]

Had been looking at this view in Google Earth, PA260099_edited-1.jpg, as it looked like a fine place for an image during July or August late afternoon with clouds. Though would move forward to the terrain knee for less foreground with lower frame just in front of Desolation's shore below.

A260130_edited-1.jpg with the Horton's below shows that interesting arete feature on the topo.