Last summer my hiking buddy Dan (aka Bogey ) and I hiked the first section of the Sierra High Route. By chance Dan and I met on BPL last year while we were planning our trips. It turns out both of us spent the winter reading Ropers guidebook, studying Skurkas maps and dialing in our gear.
Although I usually hike solo my wife was a lot more comfortable knowing that I would have a partner while negotiating the miles of boulders, talus and cross country passes. We had never met in person but I knew everything would be fine when I saw Dan wearing a black Steelers cap at the trailhead. My wife grew up in Pittsburgh and much of my family is from the ‘Burgh.
The first day was spent on logistics. After leaving our cars at the North Lake and South Lake trailheads we shuttled with local driver Don Sheldon to the Onion Valley trail. By the time we finally got started it was 10:00 am so we made it an easy first day and camped near the Bubbs Creek/Sphinx Creek junction.
View from the top of Kearsarge Pass.
By 12:00 noon the next day we were at the bottom of the Copper Creek trail. Along the way we met an older ranger who noticed our lightweight gear as we passed by. He went into a lengthy rant about the dangers of lightweight backpacking and something about the good old days.
After we laughed it up with the group of young hikers waiting for their permits it was time to move on. It was strange enough to receive negative feedback from a ranger but it seemed outright crazy to be scolded for hiking smart. I was carrying 20 lbs and I think Dan was near 28 lbs for our 9 day trek.
Heading down to Kings Canyon.
The following morning we finally set out cross country to Grouse Lake.
And later walked along the sandy shoreline of Glacier Lake.
We chilled out watching the alpenglow while camping between the two Horseshoe Lakes that night.
Next day we contoured along Windy Ridge and over Gray, White and Red passes to Marion Lake.
View from Windy Ridge.
Dan on the way down from Red Pass to Marion Lake.
Marion Lake.
After touring Lake Basin we made it over Frozen Lake pass and into Upper Basin for the night.
Heading toward Frozen Lake Pass from Lake Basin.
Steep west side of Frozen Lake Pass.
West side route down from Frozen Lake Pass.
Split Mountain from our camp in Upper Basin.
It was strange to be back on the trail the following day. We met several people on the short hike over Mather Pass and to the Palisades Lakes.
Sandy beach along Lower Palisade Lake.
Dan leaving the trail on the way to Cirque Pass.
Once over Cirque Pass we camped on a sandy beach below the Palisade Crest.
Camping below Palisade Crest.
Sunset on the Palisades.
Potluck Pass was our first goal the following morning. After that the route across Palisade Basin was a breeze.
Dan on top of Potluck Pass.
After crossing Knapsack Pass Dan headed out over Bishop Pass and eventually back home.
Dusy Basin from Knapsack Pass.
While he was enjoying a much deserved cheese burger I continued on and camped in upper LeConte Canyon.
Familiar camp in upper LeConte Canyon.
I left the SHR and crossed the Sierra Crest at Echo Col.
The photo above of the route to Echo Col from the JMT was taken from the summit of Black Giant (photo courtesy Rogue Photonic aka Chris Ryerson).
I found debris from a plane crash in the melted out snow/ice field below Echo Col. The plane crashed in a winter storm in 1980. It is usually covered by the ice field but was visible due to the low snow year and late season conditions.
I followed the cliffs above the western shore to the outlet of Echo Lake and into Sabrina Basin.
And camped at Sailor Lake in Sabrina Basin.
The next day I made my way back to the South Lake hikers parking lot.
Looking back toward Sabrina Basin on the way home.
This was a fun trip through some of the most remote and beautiful areas of the High Sierra. Although we didn’t move as quickly as some of the very impressive hikers here on BPL we had a great time and have already planned on getting back on the SHR next summer.
For the whole story including route details, maps, gear list and photos check out:
Thanks for reading.
Andy.
