Headed down to California a couple weeks ago to do some exploring in the Sierra. I've done some dayhiking in this area before but this was our first backpacking trip into this amazing range.
We were on the trail the next morning at 830, which is a bit later than I hoped to start, but this being our first trip using bear canisters, there was a bit of a learning curve on how to best load the backpack(and make everything fit..) On a side note, this was my 3rd trip with my new Osprey Exos 58 and I am loving it. Weighed in at 33 lbs after bear canister and water so I was feeling pretty spunky..Until I made it above 11k feet.
The climb is well graded and after a few hours we made it to the pass where the Kearsarge lakes and Pinnacles are in your face, and rows of jagged granite peaks line up forever. I decided right there that this would be one of hopefully many trips into the Sierra because we were only going to be able to explore a tiny corner of this park, let alone this mountain range.
We dropped down from the pass and stayed on the higher of the 2 trails, going above Bullfrog lake then crossing the JMT down to Charlotte lake, where we camped the first night. After a quick swim, the skies grew dark and we watched (and listened) as a thunder storm came up the canyon to meet us. After the lightning passed, we hid in our tents till about dark when the skies cleared and the rain stopped.
The next morning dawned clear and we packed up and headed back to the JMT to follow it north over Glen pass. We met a ranger on our way up who advised we only had a couple hours until the next thunderstorm hit.
Glen pass is a pretty good workout from the south side and once again, we could really feel the effects of the elevation. The pass is just shy of 12k feet.
After a break at the top, we high-tailed it down as the thunder and lightning and rain began to fall.
We made it to the middle Rae lake and set up our tents in a pretty good downpour. After a couple hours the rain was gone and the skies cleared up a bit.
The next day dawned clear and bright, and we took our fishing poles up to Dragon lake, following a use trail that climbed steeply up the hill from the Rae lakes into a beautiful basin surrounded by craggy peaks.
After our 4 am start, it was a long day in the car down to the Mono Lake ranger station to pick up our permits and rent bear canisters, which are required in the park. From there we made our way down to Independence and headed up to the Onion Valley trailhead where we grabbed the last campsite available, where we could sleep at 9k feet to start the acclimatization process. Rae Lakes SEKI backpack 8/20/16
Re: Rae Lakes SEKI backpack 8/20/16
Dragon lake had lots of smaller brook trout and there was rarely a cast without a catch.
After returning to camp, we packed up and headed further north on the JMT to Dollar lake. This stretch of trail is relatively flat, and winds through an alpine park like setting, with Fin Dome looming above you the whole way.
The next day we did another day trip from Dollar lake up the unmaintained trail to the Baxter lakes. The trail climbs steeply through scree before hitting the forest where we lost it a few times. But as long as we headed up hill we were going in the right direction. There was also great fishing for brook and golden trout(maybe golden/rainbow hybrid) in most of the Baxter lakes. From each lake there was a short climb to the next, until you reach the highest and largest lake, set in another basin surrounded by jagged peaks and cliffs. We met a father and daughter who had come up from the Baxter pass trailhead over Baxter pass and said it was way more than they bargained for as far as being steep and difficult.
After finding our way back to the trail and down to dollar lake, we were worn out and ready for some rest. The next day we planned on making it over Glen pass to Kearsarge lakes to camp before our day out. Once we were over the first pass down to the Kearsarge pass turnoff and only 7 miles from the trailhead, we voted to go out in one day in order to get to town and eat real food/beer. So two 12k passes in one day and a drive north to Mammoth lakes later, our dream became a reality
This was an awesome trip and a great intro to Sierra backpacking. Can't wait to go back.
After returning to camp, we packed up and headed further north on the JMT to Dollar lake. This stretch of trail is relatively flat, and winds through an alpine park like setting, with Fin Dome looming above you the whole way.
The next day we did another day trip from Dollar lake up the unmaintained trail to the Baxter lakes. The trail climbs steeply through scree before hitting the forest where we lost it a few times. But as long as we headed up hill we were going in the right direction. There was also great fishing for brook and golden trout(maybe golden/rainbow hybrid) in most of the Baxter lakes. From each lake there was a short climb to the next, until you reach the highest and largest lake, set in another basin surrounded by jagged peaks and cliffs. We met a father and daughter who had come up from the Baxter pass trailhead over Baxter pass and said it was way more than they bargained for as far as being steep and difficult.
After finding our way back to the trail and down to dollar lake, we were worn out and ready for some rest. The next day we planned on making it over Glen pass to Kearsarge lakes to camp before our day out. Once we were over the first pass down to the Kearsarge pass turnoff and only 7 miles from the trailhead, we voted to go out in one day in order to get to town and eat real food/beer. So two 12k passes in one day and a drive north to Mammoth lakes later, our dream became a reality
This was an awesome trip and a great intro to Sierra backpacking. Can't wait to go back.
Re: Rae Lakes SEKI backpack 8/20/16
Nice! Yeah, I remember Glen Pass being one of the steeper ones when I did the JMT a few years ago. Kings Canyon is absolutely stunning.
#pnw #bestlife #bitingflies #favoriteyellowcap #neverdispleased
- alpinista55
- Posts: 25
- Joined: June 30th, 2016, 1:44 pm
Re: Rae Lakes SEKI backpack 8/20/16
Nice TR. We just finished a similar trip, although we focused on the 60 Lakes Basin (sorry, no fish there). I'd like to go back one day and hit Dragon and Baxter Lakes. We also did Glenn and Kearsarge in one day on the way out. Glad you had a good trip. I love the Range of Light!
Our TR: http://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewt ... =8&t=24459
JK
Our TR: http://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewt ... =8&t=24459
JK
Re: Rae Lakes SEKI backpack 8/20/16
I just completed the JMT myself, second year in a row on the trail. Rae Lakes is a magical spot. And Glen Pass is the toughest of the JMT passes, although not the highest. One could easily spend a lake at Rae Lakes, with day trips to Sixty Lakes Basin. Good fishing, great swimming. Glad you had a successful venture.