High Sierra Topix

Been lurking for a while, so figured it's finally time to contribute with a trip report. This is from our most recent trip to SEKI. We discussed a few different routes during the planning stage, but they were all based around a loop starting on the High Sierra Trail (HST) at Crescent Meadow, taking that to the Colby Pass trail into Cloud Canyon, and looping back through Deadman Canyon and Elizabeth Pass. Then the Fish Fire broke out about a week before we were going to start the trip and we were reading reports that it was putting a lot of smoke into the Kern Canyon, so we decided to save the Kern Canyon portion of the trip for another time and explore a few different areas instead.
Here are a few pictures....


Bear on High Sierra Trail


More bears in Buck Canyon




Heading up to Black Rock Pass


Spring, Cyclamen and Columbine Lakes


At Black Rock Pass


At Black Rock Pass


At Black Rock Pass


At Little Five Lakes


At Little Five Lakes


At Little Five Lakes


Kaweah Peaks from Lower Little Five Lakes


Moraine Lake


Moraine Lake


Big Arroyo


Big Arroyo


Nine Lakes Basin


Precipice Lake


Precipice Lake


Looking up the canyon towards Tamarack Lake


Tamarack Lake


Tamarack Lake


Tamarack Lake


Elizabeth Pass


Deadman Canyon


Funky Rock Formation near Big Bird Lake


Big Bird Lake








Heading to Moose Lake


Moose Lake


Moose Lake


Tablelands

And finally, the route:

Welcome to HST BigTime! Thanks you for the wonderful introductory TR and beautiful
pictures. Love the bear photo, and Kaweah shots.

Neat report and route. One usually doesn't see trips that head south of the Kaweah then end up going back north into the Kings drainage (ie Big Bird etc.). That is a combo that you don't see too many people doing. Great bear photos, especially that first portrait. One is seldom fortunate enough to see bears at two different occasions in the backcountry. Nice.

Wow, wonderful trip report. I have no experience in that area and your photos definitely make me want to plan a trip there. Thanks for posting and welcome to HST!

-Mike

Thanks for the report. It was almost like being there.