Upper Kern Trip Advice
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2024 6:09 pm
I’m planning on a 7-day trip to the Upper Kern over Labor Day via Shepherd Pass. I have a few question about the route and area
- Given that this is looking like an average snow year, will the snowfield just below the pass be present in early September (best guess)? Any lingering snow would probably be a dealbreaker due to my lack of experience w/micro-spikes and an ice axe.
- I hope to make it to either Anvil Camp or Pothole on the first day, starting from the stock trailhead (won’t have a 4x4 to start from hiker’s TH). Depending on how I feel, I’d like to make it to The Pothole, but am curious what others’ experiences are with campsites? My shelter will be a flat tarp and bivy
- I plan on base-camping at Casper Lake and spend 3 days wandering and exploring. Some options I'm considering include (1) fishing targeted lakes in the area, (2) exploring Thunder Basin to the west, (3) exploring Lake South America and Harrison Pass to see the basin west of Mt. Stanford, (4) exploring Milestone Basin. Are there any other recommended areas I should consider? It’s already looking like I need more than the allocated 3 days!
- I’ll relocate to Wrights Lake area and try fishing LK 11959 on my next-to-last day. Most of this area looks above treeline though. Thoughts on a well-protected campsite in Wrights Lake area?
- How reasonable is it to hike to the Stock TH from Wrights Lakes in a single day? Caltopo indicates this is 16 miles, 2k elevation gain, 7.7k elevation loss. I expect to have a 25lb pack and plenty of motivation for a shower/hamburger, but wonder if I might as well schedule a double knee replacement in Lone Pine now. Anyone have experience doing this exit route in a day?