Powell Lake-Emigrant Wilderness 8/4/11-8/5/11

[Ken Helwig]

Headed out to Emmigrant Wilderness to shake out some new gear and well, just to get out! I spoke to a ranger the day before heading out and was warned of massive amounts of mosquitos and wet conditions due to the ongoing snowmelt. I was also warned about the rough driving up to Gianelli trailhead. Well I have done many trips out of Crabtree so I thought it would be no big deal. Yep the road up is rough but if you go slow, it really was not that bad. The weather was great and to be honest, the mosquitos were not that bad, the snow was easy to deal with and it was a good trip just to get away. On this trip, I was joined by Justin who is new to hiking on the light side. Justin brought along a custom made Z Pack and a Hexamid tent. Justin was a great hiking partner and I hope to see him at our 4th Annual BPL weekend next year!

Gianelli Cabin Trailhead…this was my first time using this trailhead. I have done many, many trips out of Crabtree and Kennedy Meadows. But this was my first and not my last time starting here. I loved it! 10 years of hiking here and I have never used this trailhead before….that will change

Looking east towards the backcountry

Snow….snow patches were around but was easily navigated. Just play the game, "if I were a trail, where would I go"

Me atop of Burst Rock looking towards The 3 Chimneys

Usually a sign like this in the backcountry would be a HUGE bummer. But since I dig history, I thought this was rather cool. The sign explains how emigrants passing through this area had to overcome. Pretty cool.

Little snow cave on the trail. Should I go under or should I go over…………

Looking towards the east and the high country

Looking towards 3 Chimneys

looking towards the high country and where the PCT is

Powell Lake

My GG SpinnTwinn tarp and Bear Paw Minalmist 1. ULA CDT on the ground. Everthing worked great on this trip!

another shot of Powell Lake from the camp.

[Chris Kopp]

Nice report and pictures! What elevation is the trailhead you started at?

[Ken Helwig]

Thanks Chris….the elvation is around 8500-8600. Lots of snow on the north facing slopes

[James Winstead]

Ken

Pretty sweet… still sooo much snow!

How gnarly were the mosquitos? Did you feel comfy using the net bivy/inner tent thing under the tarp?

[Ken Thompson]

Makes me want to get out even more (like that's possible) and get some miles in this season.
Crazy snow year. Looks like you were a happy camper!

[Ken Helwig]

Mosquitos were not bad at all. I was ready for the worst. As for my trap/bivy combo? It worked out pretty well. Though the weather was mild. Ken, yeah this year has been strange with all the snow. Get out! Hike!

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