Re: Feedback requested: Bear Lakes Basin Loop 2012
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:24 pm
Just noticed this post. Hi. 
There is a BLM campground (Horton Creek) near Pine Creek. That's where we stayed. Disadvantage is that you're not really getting much acclimation out of it. You can also dispersed camp in the Tungsten hills.
Day 1 is a hard day if you haven't been out. I had just come off of a four day trip out of Mineral King so I was relatively acclimated. But just remember it's a 4000ft+ climb on day 1.
Day 2 (Italy pass -> Dancing Bear -> Bear Lakes Basin) is not bad if you don't throw in Julius Caesar, but that made it a long day. The cross country over Dancing Bear is really easy. There is a tarn on the map at the top of Dancing Bear but it was bone dry - don't expect to get water there. We filled up on some untreated fresh melt coming off a snow field between italy and Dancing Bear.
Take a day or two to explore Bear Lakes Basin. I really enjoyed our 'down' time there. Fishing was incredible!
I found Feather Pass to be really easy from the Bear Lakes side. It looks a bit intimidating but the rocks make up some nice ramps that are easy to scramble up. Coming down we got into a bit of sketchy terrain just above that upper lake (LaSalle? Don't have my map open right now) but nothing we couldn't figure out.
The days we spent climbing Seven Gables and Four Gables were our longest, most tiring days. You don't have those on your itinerary, but Feather isn't going to be a breeze. Royce is easy as long as you're not chased off by thunderstorms. :retard:
Enjoy! I need to start working on my summer 2012 trip planning. Wheee!!!
There is a BLM campground (Horton Creek) near Pine Creek. That's where we stayed. Disadvantage is that you're not really getting much acclimation out of it. You can also dispersed camp in the Tungsten hills.
Day 1 is a hard day if you haven't been out. I had just come off of a four day trip out of Mineral King so I was relatively acclimated. But just remember it's a 4000ft+ climb on day 1.
Day 2 (Italy pass -> Dancing Bear -> Bear Lakes Basin) is not bad if you don't throw in Julius Caesar, but that made it a long day. The cross country over Dancing Bear is really easy. There is a tarn on the map at the top of Dancing Bear but it was bone dry - don't expect to get water there. We filled up on some untreated fresh melt coming off a snow field between italy and Dancing Bear.
Take a day or two to explore Bear Lakes Basin. I really enjoyed our 'down' time there. Fishing was incredible!
I found Feather Pass to be really easy from the Bear Lakes side. It looks a bit intimidating but the rocks make up some nice ramps that are easy to scramble up. Coming down we got into a bit of sketchy terrain just above that upper lake (LaSalle? Don't have my map open right now) but nothing we couldn't figure out.
The days we spent climbing Seven Gables and Four Gables were our longest, most tiring days. You don't have those on your itinerary, but Feather isn't going to be a breeze. Royce is easy as long as you're not chased off by thunderstorms. :retard:
Enjoy! I need to start working on my summer 2012 trip planning. Wheee!!!
