Our destination for this year's trip was selected by Kim, who first heard about Lake Basin about 8 years ago. Kim is an avid backpacker who has been all over the Sierras over the last 20+ years, but mostly on-trail. Lake Basin is remote and difficult to get to, in a place that she would never attempt to go without someone in the party who was skilled at cross country travel and general mountaineering. In our case, that was Jon.
The trip started at the South Lake/Bishop's pass trail head and ended about 40 miles to the south at the Taboose Creek trail head, 8 days, 7 nights. The second day of the trip we left the trail and did not return until day 7 (except where we briefly crossed the JMT at Deer Meadow). After going over Bishop's Pass early the second day, we saw only 3 parties (5 people) over the course of the next 7 days (not counting the mile spent on Highway JMT).
The trip included the traversal of 6 mountain passes. The first and last (Bishop and Taboose) were on-trail. The remaining 4 were cross-country, talus for the most part. Snow was almost non-existent this year.
DAY 1
We arrived at South Lake around 1 pm and hiked in about 4 miles to spend the first night at Saddlerock Lake. Lots of day hikers on this route, but only one other tent at the lake that night.
We continued the next morning on up to Bishop Pass and into Dusy Basin. About a mile into the basin we left the trail and made our way towards Knapsack Pass.
On the way to Bishop Pass, looking back the way we came. Left to right: Bishop Lake, Saddlerock Lake, Long Lake. (Kevin)
Starting up Knapsack pass. The first of many talus fields that we would traverse over the next several days.
Looking back towards Dusy Basin and towards LeConte Canyon in the distance.
Coming over Knapsack pass we see large Shakespeare Peak in the right foreground, with Observation Peak perched directly above its triangular summit. The original plan for day 2 was to drop 3000 feet down Barret Creek to Deer Meadow and then go on back up Cataract Creek to Amphitheater lakes at the foot of Observation, but that changed when we found it took us 4 hours to descend the 3000 feet and 2 miles to the John Muir Trail at Deer Meadow.
Coming down Barret Creek (Knapsack Pass background left, Columbine Peak center)
The Palisades (far left) from Knapsack Pass with view of Shakespeare & Observation to the right
Nearing the bottom of the descent down Barrett Creek to meet the JMT at Deer Meadow.
On the way up Cataract Creek, looking back towards yesterdays descent over Knapsack pass and down Barrett Creek.
Up Cataract creek.
Amphitheater Lake. This was to have been our Day 2 destination, but it worked just fine for Day 3 instead. Tomorrow's Amphitheater Pass in the center
 |
A day hike to the upper Amphitheater Lakes.
Overlooking Amphitheater Lakes Basin.
DAY 4
Early Morning View from our campsite with Amphitheater Pass in the center chute.
On the way up the pass towards Observation Peak.
View from the pass back to Amphitheater Lake . . .
Panorama with Amphitheater Lake on the left and Dumbell Lakes on the right.
From the pass, we ditched our packs and took off on a short side trip to bag observation peak. This was the first peak on a list of 4 that we wanted to bag on the trip. It was about noon. There was some threatening weather moving in, so we really had to move quickly. Picture below is a lake directly west of Observation Peak.
Now looking towards Dumbell lake. We will spend the night on the near shore of this lake, and then continue over Dumbell Pass directly behind the lake, into Lake Basin.
Heading down from the pass into Dumbell Lakes basin.
DAY 5
Early morning view across Dumbell Lake. Observation Peak on the right.
Starting to make our way around the lake to the pass, center.
Up ahead, not clear how we will get around the lake, either in the water, or up the wall.
Found a way over the wall, 30 feet up over the water.
Dumbell pass seemed the longest all, with endless talus, and several false summits.
On top of Dumbell pass, looking towards Lake Basin with Marion Peak in the background. Jon bagged Marion peak on the next day.
Marion Lake, Marion Peak, and Kim.
"I made it! Lake Basin at last!"
We spent two nights here in Lake Basin.
DAY 7
Last morning at Lake Basin before pulling out. We will go over Cartridge pass and down to the South Fork of the King River.
The last lake in Lake Basin.
Heading up Cartridge Pass. We were pleasantly surprised to find a pretty good trail winding all the way up the pass. The trail continued all the way down the other side to the South Fork of the King River.
Up over the pass now, we can see Bench Lake high up on the left and Arrow Peak on the right. We will go down to the lake below and wait for Jon while he bags Mt. Ruskin.
When we got down to the South Fork of the Kings River we had to find our way through about a mile and a half of downed timber and rock slides along the river. The result of a major avalanche a few years ago. It was pretty spectacular to see, but not to route-find through. It was the hardest part of the trip, I think, because it was late in the day and we were getting worn down from the trip. It was getting dark by the time we pushed through to an area where we could set up camp. Nevertheless, the sunset was spectacular.
DAY 8
The next morning we found the trail up the river that took us to the JMT which we followed for about 0.25 mile and then took the trail up to Taboose Pass. The last day out was a long trudge up 2000 feet to the pass, then 6000 feet down to the trail head, about 12-13 miles
At Taboose Pass, looking back the way we came, Arrow Peak in the center.
Looking down to the floor of the Owen's Valley, 6000 feet below. It was a rocky descent down a "good" trail, but mostly covered with rocks about the size of a large grapefruit (but not so nice and round)-- big enough to aggravate your tired and strained feet, but small enough to be very unstable. It was a tedious 7 miles. Note for future reference: Do not ever enter the Sierras from this trail head.
Overall, a great trip.
Mosquitoes: nonexistent.
Rain: only a little one day.
Blisters: none.
Injuries: nothing significant (just my hands cut up and scratched after so many days of talus and rock hopping)
The last 24 hours of the trip were very trying, but the trip overall was spectacular. I don't know if I will ever do another quite like it.
