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| Backpack | 60.00 Miles |
10,000 AEG |
| | Backpack | 60.00 Miles | 4 Days | | |
| 10,000 ft AEG | | 28 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | The day after summiting Whitney, I set out for the South-North Lake loop in the Sierras. It was incredibly beautiful but conditions were still challenging this early in the season. In addition to trimming a day off to avoid sub-20 temps, I got a very late start on day 1 and wanted to finish early on day 4. The mileage would have been easy enough, but the snow had other plans for me.
I reached the top of Bishop Pass after 5:30p on the first day (I wasn't exactly asking for good snow). Luckily for me, two guys who weighed a bit more broke trail so I could step in their postholes rather than make my own. Still, I got a leg stuck in the snow for a good few minutes (this wouldn't be the last time). I met others who turned around after postholing chest-deep. Upper Dusy Basin had snow patches above ~11000ft. Lakes were frozen over. I camped at the lowest lake in Dusy Basin, which was only half frozen. Lenticular clouds made for a nice sunset for as long as I could bear being out in the wind.
Day 2 started with a bang - the trail into Le Conte Canyon has expansive views and tracks beside a large waterfall. There are some really cool, big, twisted junipers on the way down the switchbacks here. I saw several PCT'ers on my way up to Muir. If I thought the hike to the top of Muir Pass was tedious, I had no idea what awaited me. Between Muir Pass and Sapphire Lake was near continuous snow which hadn't been recently packed. I finally found dry camps at Evolution Lake, and good thing because my legs were shot and it was late evening.
Day 3 started with some strong gusts and a bit of unexpected snow around 6am. The sun didn't show until mid afternoon so I had to keep moving all morning. I took the alternate crossing at Evolution creek and was pretty glad for that when I saw how strong the current was at the normal crossing. Then on my way up to Piute Pass I was determined to keep my feet dry (at least for one day!) so I wasted a lot of time taking of my boots/ socks for several more crossings. This section of trail was clearly the least-travelled and kind of annoyed me with all the ups and downs.
Day 4 was short and sweet from above Hutchinson Meadow to North Lake. Piute Pass was a piece of cake - very little snow left, plus I was finally crossing early enough that the snow was all solid. Humphreys basin was very icy and windy. I saw lots of folks with fishing poles hiking up from North Lake but heard from others that it was just too windy to be enjoyable. I agree with that - the wind feels icy blowing off those lakes. |
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