High Sierra Topix

mokelumnekid wrote:I'm not sure what would motivate either choice- there are so many great routes and life is short, why end up having to choose between these, both iffy (with MB upstream super-iffy)? There are so many quality routes from just about any entrance I'm curious why it comes down to these only?

Because it's there?

I confess, I've always been fascinated with the Muro Blanco--not fascinated enough to do it, mind you, but fascinated enough to think about doing it, which isn't the case with (for example) the Enchanted Gorge.

Arrow Creek Basin looks gorgeous and isolated, which is two big points in its favor.

mokelumnekid wrote:
I'm not sure what would motivate either choice- there are so many great routes and life is short, why end up having to choose between these, both iffy (with MB upstream super-iffy)? There are so many quality routes from just about any entrance I'm curious why it comes down to these only?

The reasoning behind my question was that I will be nobo after Gardiner Basin and was looking for some insight from hikers who have done either one or both. I’m in the middle of planning the trip and all the useful information I can find is helpful.

I am reconsidering the route, instead of pushing from Kearsarge Pass to Bishop Pass in one 10 day hike. (Thanks Mav for the advice on spliting up this section.)
I’m thinking of taking 7 days to go from Kearsarge Pass – 60 Lakes Basin – Gardiner Basin – Arrow Lakes Basin – Bench Lake – Taboose Pass re-supply in Bishop. Then take 7 days starting at South Lake – Bishop Pass – Dusy Basin – Palisade Basin – Amphitheatre Basin – Dumbbell Basin – Lakes Basin – Cartridge Pass – Bench Lake and out Taboose Pass.

Camp at Stripped Mountain Lake one night.

I hiked up the MB last summer in early June. It was quite brutal as others have stated. The river was obviously uncrossable early on - and even as we got closer to Bench Lake it took many attempts to find a safe place to cross (we were heading up to Arrow Peak area so we had to cross eventually).

The brush is extraordinarily difficult at times, and when we reached Kid Creek, it took many hours to go a half a mile. We hit it in early afternoon and even getting to the creek through the brush was insane. There were a couple moments where I was stuck like a fly in a spider web. When we finally reached the creek it was uncrossable, so we climbed up to try to find an easier ford - no dice - too much water! We were forced to hack our way back down and camp. We were able to cross pre-dawn the next morning but it was dicey. Of course it was a pretty big snow year last year, and early season, so it would be easier in lower water conditions.

Overall it took three days, mostly due to brush and the problem at Kid Creek. It wasn't so beautiful that I would go back; there are less demanding places with similar scenery in KCNP. Maybe coming down in September or October so you could cross the creek to find the easiest path through the brush. If you do try it, prepare to be frustrated at times, and consider a very durable pack as you will be dealing with a lot of vegetation. My Conduit made it OK.