R05/R01 TR: Seville and Lost Lakes, Aug 30-Sep 1 2014

[tim]

After a very busy summer with no time for our usual August backpacking trip, I finally got out over Labor Day weekend with my two sons (13 and 9) and a friend of my older son. We set off from Rowell Meadow TH on Saturday morning around 11.30am on a very dusty dry trail and got to the JO Pass turnoff for lunch. Rowell Meadow itself was completely dry, with only one small muddy puddle on the way over to Belle Canyon. Even Sugarloaf Creek was just a trickle.

Rowell Meadow

We finally reached Seville Lake at 4pm and found several other groups there, including one with a horse. Nevertheless the lake was pretty and the kids all managed a swim despite the somewhat muddy lake bottom.

Seville Lake

The next morning we decided to move up to Lost Lake, which took about 2.5 hours and was much quieter and even more spectacular. After a pleasant but cold swim, I climbed the shoulder above the lake to see a great view across much of the western side of Kings Canyon National Park, ranging from Goddard in the north to the Tablelands in the south.

Panorama from above Lost Lake

Tablelands

I also went back up there for an incredible sunset. The photos don't do it justice but the sunset on Mt Clarence King and Mt Brewer was spectacular.

Last rays on Mt Clarence King (far distance)

Mt Brewer and North Guard

The next morning we woke up early and the lake was perfectly reflective.

Early morning at Lost Lake

Lost Lake reflections

After a quick breakfast we headed out the 8 miles in only about four hours, with the incentive of pizza for lunch. The climb out of Belle Canyon was pretty steep but after that it was easy, quick hiking. All in all, a very good brief trip with great scenery and nice campsites (including the ability to have fires both nights). I can see why its a popular destination for early season trips and it would be a good option for kids who can manage a 6-8 mile hike.

[sekihiker]

Awesome photos of a lovely area. Your telephoto shots were impressive.

[iHartMK]

Great trip report and photos! Thanks for sharing. I love to backpack and explore this area. It sounds like Seville was busy. Campfires aren't banned in that area?

[tim]

In Kings Canyon there are only fire restrictions below 6000ft, in addition to the usual 10,000ft upper limit. Between that you are fine.

[AlmostThere]

Jennie Lake Wilderness is not in the park, but in Sequoia National Forest - which has a complete fire ban.

[iHartMK]

Ok, then SNP and KCNP have the same fire restrictions, no fires below 6000' or above 10000'. That's cool! I can live with that.
So if fires are banned in Jennie Lakes Wilderness, that means that Sequoia and Sierra NF have the same fire ban... NO Fires anywhere.
Isn't that interesting how that works?..