Trip Advice for Kings-Kern Divide & Center Basin 9-12
Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 9:06 pm
Hello,
I'm looking for advice re: 8-10 day back-pack trip that I plan to lead with a couple of friends just after Labor Day 2012. I am thinking of taking advantage of low snow year and September timing to explore Kings-Kern Divide, where I haven't been since a trip in my teen years in the early 80s, from west side over Longely Pass, but we turned back on the north side of Harrison Pass due to heavy snow.
I am a Level 3 backpacker, comfortable with Class 2 X-country passes, but not with anything requiring roped climbing, ice-ax, crampons, or self-arrest skills. My friends are in excellent physical condition from other sports, less experienced backpackers (Level 2), but we like to cover 10-15 miles/day on trail depending on elevation changes (obviously less if x-country). My max elevation gain in 1 day is 4,800' up in 12 miles on rough trail in the Pyrenees. Our main interests are high alpine scenery and physical challenge.
So, we're thinking of:
Day 1: Symmes Creek trailhead to Camp Anvil
Day 2. Acclimate at Anvil, maybe day hike to scout east side of Junction Pass
Day 3: Over Shepherd, camp/drop packs at lakes SE of Diamond Mesa, and hike to top of Mesa
Day 4: Clockwise around Upper Kern Loop trail to camp at Lake South America
Day 5: Over Harrison Pass to camp at Lake Reflection
Day 6: Down East Creek, then up Bubbs to South on JMT, camp at Golden Bear Lake in Center Basin
Day 7: Up Center Basin and over Junction Pass to Camp Anvil
Day 8: Down and out Symmes Creek trailhead
Here are my questions:
1. In September 2012, are we likely to encounter enough snow on Shepherd, Harrison or Junction Passes to require ice-ax, crampons? Or is kick-stepping w/trekking poles & wise route selection likely to be enough?
2. Which of the various x-country routes over the Kings-Kern Divide is least challenging? From reading other posts, it sounds like Harrison is easier than Milly's or Lucy's Foot Passes; I also see some references to Little Joe Pass as easier than the above, but can't determine where that is...or should we just stick to Forester, considering our collective skill level?
3. Any recommendations regarding University Pass? Topo map makes it looks pretty steep on both sides, but we're considering it as an alternate to Junction/Shepherd as an exit, if it's not too technical...hard to find information on it.
Any advice regarding the above, or just general "don't miss this" or "watch out for that" in this area would be much appreciated! I really appreciate all the effort people put into this forum, it's a great resource!
I'm looking for advice re: 8-10 day back-pack trip that I plan to lead with a couple of friends just after Labor Day 2012. I am thinking of taking advantage of low snow year and September timing to explore Kings-Kern Divide, where I haven't been since a trip in my teen years in the early 80s, from west side over Longely Pass, but we turned back on the north side of Harrison Pass due to heavy snow.
I am a Level 3 backpacker, comfortable with Class 2 X-country passes, but not with anything requiring roped climbing, ice-ax, crampons, or self-arrest skills. My friends are in excellent physical condition from other sports, less experienced backpackers (Level 2), but we like to cover 10-15 miles/day on trail depending on elevation changes (obviously less if x-country). My max elevation gain in 1 day is 4,800' up in 12 miles on rough trail in the Pyrenees. Our main interests are high alpine scenery and physical challenge.
So, we're thinking of:
Day 1: Symmes Creek trailhead to Camp Anvil
Day 2. Acclimate at Anvil, maybe day hike to scout east side of Junction Pass
Day 3: Over Shepherd, camp/drop packs at lakes SE of Diamond Mesa, and hike to top of Mesa
Day 4: Clockwise around Upper Kern Loop trail to camp at Lake South America
Day 5: Over Harrison Pass to camp at Lake Reflection
Day 6: Down East Creek, then up Bubbs to South on JMT, camp at Golden Bear Lake in Center Basin
Day 7: Up Center Basin and over Junction Pass to Camp Anvil
Day 8: Down and out Symmes Creek trailhead
Here are my questions:
1. In September 2012, are we likely to encounter enough snow on Shepherd, Harrison or Junction Passes to require ice-ax, crampons? Or is kick-stepping w/trekking poles & wise route selection likely to be enough?
2. Which of the various x-country routes over the Kings-Kern Divide is least challenging? From reading other posts, it sounds like Harrison is easier than Milly's or Lucy's Foot Passes; I also see some references to Little Joe Pass as easier than the above, but can't determine where that is...or should we just stick to Forester, considering our collective skill level?
3. Any recommendations regarding University Pass? Topo map makes it looks pretty steep on both sides, but we're considering it as an alternate to Junction/Shepherd as an exit, if it's not too technical...hard to find information on it.
Any advice regarding the above, or just general "don't miss this" or "watch out for that" in this area would be much appreciated! I really appreciate all the effort people put into this forum, it's a great resource!