R08/R02 TR: Green Creek to Twin Lakes via Virginia, Burro, and Mule Passes- Sept. 2011.

[Harlen]

On the first of our two trips in September of 2011 we headed up Green Creek, after dropping a second car at Twin Lakes.  The first day into Green Lake must be one of the shortest and easiest ways into the beautiful high country.  In less than 3 miles of pretty level going, you reach the mountain-bound lake.  

 Colorful peaks all around, and Virginia Pass leads to the quiet Yosemite backcountry, and even more colorful mountains, such as Virginia Peak below.

The four kids, ages 7-16, are perched on the somewhat cliffy Stanton pass.


  

Looking east, back on Stanton Pass, bracketed by Virginia and Stanton Peaks.

We saw no humans for a few days, but this young bear bumbled right up to about 30 feet of us!  We were so quiet, and it was so occupied grazing along... when it finally scented us, and looked up at a row of 8 weird creatures, it was really startled.  It wheeled around, and bolted off like a shot!  It was the perfect first bear encounter for our boys, who had been mildly afraid of running into bears; though I had told them that black bears are often called "the most timid animal in the forest."  Which is a bit of a stretch, but that has often been my experience with them.  Whereas, I've had brazen Marmots sidle right up to me, and chew on my bare foot!  Pikas are pretty timid too, but at least once, they have chewed through my tent netting-- why, I don't know!   Wandering Daisy, you have grown tired of black bears, perhaps because they seem to follow you about wherever you go, but have they ever bothered you?  Anyhow, we were all stoked to see this bear, and after it ran 100 yards off, we cautiously followed, and we all got to watch him grazing like a big furry cow, through our binoculars. 
 
Our route took us down to the PCT, and while we had hoped to explore a neat BC route up Wilson Creek, for some reason, we went up Matterhorn Canyon instead.  I think we described both routes, and let the kids choose.  A secret trick to keep the kids going is to let them pick the route.  "We've got to go over that ridge, now one of you pick the best route and we'll follow you."  It goes like that.  [On a later date, Lizzie and I did make a nice circle from Twin Lakes that explored Wilson Creek, went by Tallulah and Doe Lakes, under Bath Mtn., and then over the ridge to Rock Island Lake and Pass.  It was fantastic!]  

Our Sawtooth Ridge destination in the distance.  What peak is that on the right?  Whorl? 

There were still some tough river crossings, even in September!

Nathan generally walks on his own, and he carries a very large pack!

[Harlen]

Heading for Burro Pass, with Matterhorn Pass in view.  I'm pulling up the rear, with a pretty big pack of my own.

There was a Lot of snow still leftover from the massive snow year of 2010-11.  Remarkable really.  

Burro Pass has a great view of the Sawtooth Ridge, which begins just north of the Matterhorn.  It is a pretty straightforward hike to the top of the Matterhorn from the pass, which we've done twice, but this day, it was too windy and cold.


  

The next day, we dropped packs, and day hiked over Ice Lake Pass to have a look at the fine mountain walls of Little Slide Canyon. Iced Lake in September!

The "Incredible Hulk" has some Big walls for climbing!  

Maltby Lake.


 

Sedum, or "Stonecrop."

Soon we were back at familiar Barney Lake-- usually the site of our first night's camp on the way in. This time we were headed homeward.

It was another fine trip with family and friends.  The kids really shined.  The ledges below Stanton Pass were the only challenge for them, and they managed to turn that into fun too.  That bear that nearly blundered right into us was certainly a highlight, and something the kids-- and we! have never forgotten.  

Lizzie and I reckon that one of the best decisions we ever made was to take the kids into the mountains young!  And we'll bet wildhiker, and others will concur.  They want to be with you always, and they're pretty lightweight.  We started with Ryan in a "Baby Bjorn" front-pack carrier, and he has no idea the crazy routes he's been on!  Matterhorn Pass, for example.  He slept through much of it.  Wildhiker, do you guys remember when you realized that the kid was asleep in the pack, and then you could really put in some miles?!  We reckon that whether asleep or awake, kids who become used to being jostled around in a pack, and grow up playing in the dirt, water... and the mud they create,  take that with them through life.  Our boys sure seem to have-- they are anything but prissy, and revel in wild adventures on land and sea.  The amazing Sierra Nevada has been a great influence.

[Wandering Daisy]

Bears tend not to "bother" groups of people, grizzlies more so than black bears. In fact, in Canada, some trails require a group of 4 adults or more. I have never been bothered by bears when with others. But solo, me the size of a tasty bite sized treat, is another story. Most encounters I have are mother bears and cubs. Lots of mother bears up on hind feet, aggressively defending their territory. Bears have come into camp several times and played with the bear can. However, I have only been charged by moose. Moose are way more aggressive than bears. All wild animals are somewhat unpredictable, especially when surprised. I try to be noisy but occasionally do surprise a bear. I much prefer to see bears when I am in a group.

Oh! little Nathan, big pack! I suppose he has grown into is pack size by now. So true, that kids do better when they participate in the planning and decisions. Did you teach your kids navigation? Or let them lead for the day? A kid's lack of fear makes them up to about anything, but it also means adults have to teach them to be aware of safety. When I used to teach adults climbing, it was a challenge to get them to take a small but calculated risk; 13-16 year old students were the opposite, and risk hardly registered in their minds. My job was to keep them alive!

Again, 2011 was such an amazing year- such snow in September. Personally, I think Matterhorn Canyon is more spectacular than Wilson Creek, even if Matterhorn has a trial. One of my favorite campsites is right at the top in that flat area before you go over the pass. It gets nice evening sunset lighting.

[wildhiker]

Nice report of another great family adventure. This is a trip that I could have considered with my kids, except NOT Stanton Pass, but we never did it as a family. My wife and I did it in August 2009 (but starting at Virginia Lakes and using the trail down Virginia Canyon). There was practically no snow then. I agree with Wandering Daisy that camping in the open bowl at the head of Matterhorn canyon is spectacular. We had a sunset of blazing red clouds over Whorl Mountain.

We did start backpacking with our kids at age 6 months by carrying them. I don't recall noticing whether they slept in the carrier - I just remember how miserably heavy my pack was! Taking the kids backpacking from a young age made them totally comfortable in nature, and also comfortable being dirty!

-Phil

[Harlen]

Wandering Daisy Wrote:

...Bears have come into camp several times and played with the bear can. However, I have only been charged by moose. Moose are way more aggressive than bears. All wild animals are somewhat unpredictable,

... kids do better when they participate in the planning and decisions. Did you teach your kids navigation? Or let them lead for the day?

I've had the same experience with Bears to Moose, that is, Though I've seen and followed far more Grizzlies than Moose, it's the Moose that have chased me. Once I went up a tree, and another time I nearly broke my neck sprinting down a steep slope to avoid a charging cow moose! On both occasions, when I stopped to look--from up the tree, and from the riverbank at the bottom of the slope-- there was no Moose to be seen! I wonder if they're jokers, and just like to watch us run? But it's true that many people have been caught and trampled by them.

As for teaching navigation, we tried to get them interested in map reading, but nothing more than that. We definitely let them lead us a lot.

Thanks for the comments, and I know you really enjoy almost all the bears you see-- even I dislike them lurking around camp in the night.

[Silky Smooth]

What a great trip report Harlen! Thanks for sharing with all of is. Looks like a fun family adventure Stunning photos and scenery, can't believe how much snow was still around in Sept. Hope all is well

[grampy]

Harlen -
Loved your report; especially timely with all the recent “backpack trip w/kids” threads (which I assume contributed to your timing).
I forwarded your report to my oldest son, along with one from MaiatheBee. I have suggested that his group revise their plan (for late August) … currently T.M.to Young and McCabe Lakes, then loop over Stanton Pass into Spiller Canyon, then return to T.M. via the PCT. I am trying to convince them to head from Lower McCabe up through Matterhorn Canyon and Burro/Mule, to finish at Twin Lakes … and hoping your next excellent report will sway them (even though this year won’t have ANY late-season snow).

His friend (who is planning the trip) has only backpacked once. Though they could probably make it over Stanton Pass, I think they would enjoy the Matterhorn Canyon to Twin Lakes variation a lot more .

[sekihiker]

You've had some amazing adventures with kids. I loved the report and the great photos which brought it to life.

[tahoefoothills]

I enjoyed your trip report and the photos. I did the so-called Matterhorn loop out of Twin Lakes counter-clockwise in August 2011 and I recall a considerable amount of snow for that time of year. There really is some great scenery there.

[Harlen]

tahoefoothills wrote:

I did the so-called Matterhorn loop out of Twin Lakes counter-clockwise in August 2011 and I recall a considerable amount of snow for that time of year. There really is some great scenery there.

I'm glad you were out there to experience that snowy year. Which passes did you cross on your Matterhorn loop? Thanks for the comments.