SEKI 2019

wsp_scott

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Warning, super long, overly detailed trip report with lots of photos (probably too many sunset and flower photos, but I like both)

Trailhead: Inyo NF - Onion Valley (Kearsarge Pass)
7/28 - 8/5/19 (7 nights)

Long introduction/background - skip to first photo if you just want the trip report.
Photo info: I carried a Sony A7II and the 24-105 lens, some photos have a ND6 filter or a CP filter, left everything else at home

Public Service Announcements/Complaints
1) If you are next to a lake, please remember that your voice carries a long distance. It is especially rude to yell and scream with your friends at a place like Kearsarge Lakes when you know that there are a lot of people around.

2) If I step off the trail for you to pass me, it is polite to at least make eye contact, maybe even say something like "thank you" or "happy hiking", but at least acknowledge my courtesy. This goes double if you are playing crappy music though a speaker so everyone around you can hear your poor choice in music

- PSA finished -

Caltopo says 76 miles and +/- 16500'

Day 0 (Lexington KY to Whitney Portal)

Day 1 (Onion Valley to Upper Vidette)

Day 2 (Vidette to Upper Kern area)

Day 3 (Day Hike to Milestone Basin and Lake South America)

Day 4 (Upper Kern Area to Shepherd Pass)

Day 5 (Shepherd Pass to Meadow on north side of Forester Pass)

Day 6 (Forester Pass to Kearsarge Lakes w/ side trip to Center Basin)

Day 7 (Day hike Kearsarge Lakes Basin)

Day 8 (Kearsarge Lakes to Onion Valley)

Last summer, I fell in love with the High Sierra. I basically spent the winter dreaming/planning another trip to the area and when I saw trip reports about the Upper Kern area in Sequoia NP, I knew where I was headed. Then the only decision was entry/exit points. I really wanted to avoid dealing with a shuttle, so entry and exit had to be the same place. Coming from the east side, that basically left me with three options (from south to north): 1) Cottonwood Lakes 2) Shepherd Pass or 3) Kearsarge Pass, I had no interest in Whitney. After tracing routes on a map, I realized that Cottonwood Lakes would not be ideal since it would take so many days to get to the Upper Kern and then back again. A little research scared me away from the 6000' climb out of the desert that would be Shepherd Pass. So that left Kearsarge Pass where I started last summer. A little less that ideal since it would involve quite a bit of hiking on the JMT and I really wanted to avoid crowds, but I would get to see a new area and it would give me a couple days in the away from crowds. So 7 nights starting and ending at Kearsarge Pass was the plan, now I just needed to get the permit for a popular entry point.

The permits open up six months ahead of time so I started paying attention in the middle of January to how fast the permits were disappearing for the popular entry points. This was also the time of the government shutdown and I think that ended up affecting how the website was showing available permits. As the day got closer to when my desired entry date would open up, it looked like the permits were not disappearing immediately. In fact, there were usually available permits the next day. It sort of slipped my mind the actual day and I went for a hike and then there was after school stuff and kid's bedtime and I did not get on the computer until about 9pm. And found that all the permits for Kearsarge Pass were gone. I thought for a moment and reserved a permit for Shepherd Pass so I would have something and then went to bed. Woke up in the morning hoping that the website would show available Kearsarge permits, but no such luck. So it looks like it will be Shepherd Pass and a long hot hike the first day.

Over the next couple months I continue to research the area and I get excited for entering via Shepherd Pass because it will allow me more time in the Upper Kern area. But, it also becomes obvious that this was a very big snow year in the Sierra and some of the high passes might still have snow at the beginning of August. This makes me nervous about Shepherd because there is usually a lingering snow field even in light snow years and this is looking like a big one. All through summer I am checking snow levels (along with everyone else who has plans for the High Sierra). As the trip gets closer, I keep looking for information about the snow on Shepherd, but there is not much out there. About a week before I am supposed to leave, I randomly got online to see if people were canceling permits and found that there were about 10 available for Kearsarge (I assume that a group canceled because of snow fears). I immediately reserved a Kearsarge permit because I knew that people had already crossed it without problems. If nothing else, I'll figure something out when I get there.

Travel day arrives and it is time to head to the airport. The whole morning my stomach was bothering me and as I'm driving to the airport, I'm thinking that if this was a local trip, I'd be holding off a day or two. But, plane reservations and car rental and I can't postpone for a day. I had some pizza in the airport for a late lunch that did not sit well and got to Vegas without problems. I hit Home Depot for alcohol for my stove and decided that I wasn't hungry and would see how I felt later. If nothing else, I could find food in Lone Pine before making camp. I ended up skipping food/dinner and driving straight to my reserved campsite at Whitney Portal for the night with the idea of sleeping at 8500' would help with acclimatization. I got there about 9pm, setup my tent and crawled into bed. I woke up around 5:30 and packed up and was driving back down the road by 6 to find breakfast in Lone Pine before the permit place opened.

I got the permit without problems but still wasn't feeling great (breakfast wasn't sitting well). On the way through Lone Pine, I got a couple oatmeal cookies at Alabama Hills Cafe for lunch/snack and headed for Onion Valley and the Kearsarge Pass trail. I started hiking by 9:30 and the day was already getting warm. I was glad to be starting at 9500' instead of ~6000' (Shepherd Pass). I took my time getting to the top of the pass since I was feeling very low energy, not really sick, but not 100 percent.

I've only been to the area once before, but it felt like I was home. I particularly enjoyed the flowers along the way as well as the lakes I had seen the year before.

Mariposa Lily


Columbia or Tiger Lily


Snack companion about half way to the pass, he kept coming back, getting close each time, hoping I'd drop a crumb or a whole cookie.


Shooting Stars






Big Pothole Lake means almost to the top


I made it to the top and enjoyed the view of the other side and the Kearsarge Lakes, I finished off my oatmeal cookie at the pass and I did not want to carry the bag for the rest of the week. I asked a woman if she was heading back down since she just had a daypack and would she mind carrying my little bit of trash. She said no problem and somehow we got talking about the area and maps. It turned out that her husband is a cartographer and has made a map of the Southern Sierra with plans to make more maps of the area. I ordered the Southern Sierra map when I got back home, it covers the area basically from south of Kernville (Lake Isabella) in the south to Lodgepole and Tyndall Creek/JMT in the north. You would probably not use it on the trail for navigation purposes, but it looks to be great for planning purposes or just daydreaming, just looking at it makes me want to do some early season explorations of the Forests and Wildernesses south of SEKI. For ~$10 it is a good deal (no brainer), especially if you live in southern CA. I live in Kentucky so I'm not sure how much use I will get out of it, but I'm still happy to have it. His site is http://www.calicomaps.com/

Looking west over the Kearsarge Lakes


After my stop at the pass, I headed down to the lakes. There were a couple dayhikers enjoying the day, but there were not many other people around and no bugs either.


After enjoying the view and filtering water, I headed down the trail. After a little bit, I detoured off the trail and through the meadow above Bullfrog Lake.


Shooting Stars and Bullfrog Lake


And then intersected with the JMT/PCT and headed south. I ended up camping above Vidette Meadow (right about the 10000' line) with a great view of East Vidette and Bubbs Creek. I watched the light change, talked to a deer for a bit and swatted mosquitos until it was time for bed.


Woke up and headed further up the JMT hoping to get over Forester Pass before the snow got too squishy. Bubbs Creek was still pretty in the morning.






Up above treeline, the view opens up. It was nice hiking before, now you can see everywhere.


My first view of Skypilot (my new favorite flower) somewhere below Forester Pass


Looking at the snow field below Forester Pass, there were a couple stretches like this along with some scree fields where the snow had melted. I was glad to have snow baskets for my poles and micro-spikes. This was probably my least favorite part of the trip, not because it was scary or dangerous (the snow cups would probably prevent someone from sliding very far/fast), but it was just tiring after climbing ~3000'.


On top of Forester Pass, more skypilot with a view to the south


Looking south above the JMT


It was much easier going down vs climbing up and there was only one patch of snow to maneuver around. And then a mile of so of intermittent snow fields to cross that were easy because it was flat.

Near the end of the snow fields there is a great waterfall/cascade coming from the lakes below/next to Diamond Mesa. This was a great spot to take a snack break and try to force a little bit more calories into my protesting stomach.


Shooting stars and Diamond cascade


Heading south on the JMT


I turned right (west) at the intersection with the trail to Lake South America and the Upper Kern.


I was aiming to make camp at the end of the trail somewhere near where it intersects with the Kern River, but I was feeling tired and came over a small ridge and saw what appeared to be a great area for camping. And then I saw the horses??? It turned out that the horses were with three guys who were in the middle of a big loop coming up the Kern from the south and then heading back down the JMT. I talked to one guy for a couple minutes and then never saw them again, not solitude, but close.

Looking south from the ridge above my campsite


As it got darker, the mosquitoes got worse. I cooked up dinner, but my stomach was still feeling off, so I only ate half. This annoyed me because now I had to carry the rest around in my bear can for the rest of the trip. I laid in bed for a bit watching the sky turn colors and realized that I could set up my camera right outside the tent and still operate it by unzipping the tent enough to stick my arm through. I set up to get the mountains and sky and alternated between reading and taking photos as it got dark.










I woke up to another beautiful day, I ate breakfast and loaded up my tiny day pack for a day hike around Milestone Basin and the Upper Kern.

I really like the looks of the Foxtail Pines.




Indian Paintbrush




Looking down the Kern River




I found the user trail into Milestone Basin and proceeded to mostly follow the creek up into the basin enjoying the views as I went.








Milestone Basin was great, but buggy


Looking east in Milestone Basin










I eventually headed back towards the Kern River and then north on the Lake South America Trail. I poked around a bit, but the bugs were horrible and I ended up hiking with my head net on for quite a bit. The head net made it hard to take photos and the bugs made it hard to take photos, I mostly just moved down the trail.




It was around this point that I had a decision to make. I could turn around and go back the way I came or I could continue towards Lake South America. Since the Lake is what had originally caught my eye in this area, I looked at the map and thought only a couple more miles, easy. Except I had not counted contour lines and did not realize that it was ~1000' higher. Normally, not a big deal, but my stomach was still not feeling great which meant I was feeling a bit of a calorie deficit. It turns out that just following the trail was a bit of work, in places it is super easy, in other places there are a lot of ducks to follow which makes it easy, and in some places there is nothing but guess work.




Looking down on the Upper Kern as I climb towards Lake South America


I eventually made it to Lake South America and discovered that it is not very scenic (I had read this online so I wasn't completely surprised). I was feeling tired at this point and was probably slightly dehydrated, so I did not bother to drop the couple hundred feet to the lake shore and I did not feel inspired to pull my camera out of my pack. So I continued on the trail, heading back to camp. I got to the point where the Lake South America trail drops down the side of the hill and found a very large/steep snow field covering the trail. Off to the side was a steep bunch of talus that looked like it would be doable or I could go all the way back to the Kern and around. I decided to give the talus a try.


This is looking up the talus at the snow field, the actual trail is buried in snow on the far right.


After about 300 - 400' of talus scrambling I got down to the small lake below (11670), then ~2 miles south to the trail and a bit more to my campsite.


I cooked dinner, this time I was able to finish everything, but I was wiped and I crawled into bed and watched the swarms of bugs on the fly of my tent. But first I set my camera to take a series of photos around midnight. I got up to go to the bathroom about the time this photo was taken. The stars were amazing, I just stood there and looked for a moment and then stumbled back to bed.


Another beautiful day. Today I had a decision to make. Originally I planned on spending a couple nights in the area, but the bugs were driving me crazy. I had also given thought to exploring the Wright Lakes and Wallace and Wales Lakes. But I was worried that the bugs would be just as bad. The last thing on my list was Shepherd Pass. I had read that it had really good views and was great for photography. I decided to make it a short day and hike up to the pass and hope that the higher elevation would keep the bugs away.








I had a leisurely lunch stop where the JMT crosses Tyndall Creek and then I headed up the trail towards the pass. There is lots of water flowing down the mountain sides and lots of flowers.


As you get higher, it dries out ...


... but there is still water in places ...


and there are still flowers


Somewhere about half way up to the pass, I ran into a solo hiker who had come up Shepherd Pass and was planning on some fishing in the Wright Lakes Basin. We talked for a bit about hiking and fishing (I don't fish) and then wished each other safe travels and went our separate ways. Eventually, I got to the top of the pass. This is looking west as if I climbed up the pass from the east.


It was very windy, so I tucked my tent into a sheltered area. There are tons of rocks, but the area is very popular with peakbaggers climbing Mt Williamson and Mt Tyndall. That is Tyndall on the left, can't see Williamson from here. I had read that there was an easy class 2 climb up Tyndall and that it was basically a walk to the top of Polycrome Peak. But I was feeling tired/lazy and did not want to climb 2000' for Tyndall or even 1000' for Polycrome. So, I wandered around looking at flowers and marmots and I chatted with a couple peakbaggers from the LA area while I waited for the stars.


Columbines tucked under the rocks


Milestone Mountain in the distance






Mt Williamson catching the setting sun


Kaweahs in the distance


Looking east towards the Owens Valley and the White Mountains


Tyndall again


Milky Way and Jupiter (bright star in the middle) and Mt Tyndall




The next morning, I packed and headed down the trail. I had decided that I would cross Forester Pass today and camp at the meadow on the north side of the pass. And then head toward Kearsarge Lakes for two nights since the bugs were not bad there.

Marmot enjoying the sun




Lupine and Milestone Mountain on the left






I got back to the JMT and headed north towards Forester. These guys were heading south and did not even pause as I was taking a couple photos, just walked right through my shot. So I included them in one for scale.


Another marmot enjoying the sun


Looking up towards Forester Pass


As you get to the top, the engineering/construction becomes obvious, it is a very impressive bit of trail construction.


Skypilots again


And then cross the snow fields and talus again and drop almost 2000' to the meadow. There were a number of groups in the area, but it is big enough that I did not feel crowded. I found a great little spot near a lake with views towards Mt Stanford.


I cooked dinner and poked around a bit. This is looking north along Bubbs Creek with Center Peak on the right. There were some bugs here, but nothing bad.






Nice sunset


As it got a little darker, I noticed the crescent moon




And I woke up to another beautiful day, I could learn to love it here




I was poking around at the water's edge when this frog jumped into the water a couple feet from me. And then he just sat on the bottom while I took his picture.







Another frog, he just stayed on the side of the lake as I got close enough for a photo.




Then north on the JMT towards Kearsarge Lakes



The one last possible exploration area was Center Basin. I had sort of looked for the user trail on my way south and was sort of looking as I headed north. When I was in the approximate area I just happened to notice an obvious duck on the side of the trail. I figured I would go a little way and see if the trail died out or if it kept going. After dropping my pack and loading up my day pack I headed up the trail and almost immediately saw this sign. I knew I was on the right trail.


Center Basin is big, that is Center Peak on the right.


I continued up to Golden Bear Lake and enjoyed lunch and then headed back down to the JMT


Frog in Golden Bear Lake




The climb out of Vidette Meadows was steep and hot, but I eventually made it to Kearsarge Lakes. Along the way I realized that it was Saturday not the Sunday I was originally planning on and that it was likely to be crowded. There were a lot of people crowded together along the first, second and edge of third lakes where the user trail goes, but I had found a couple campsites more out of the way and private in my explorations last summer. I set up camp, cooked dinner, swatted mosquitoes and waited for sunset and then stars.


The setting sun lined up perfectly with the edge of the Kearsarge Pinnacles


Sunset through the trees




The sunset seemed to last forever and the moon came out from behind the mountain. You can just make out the crescent moon on the left side.


Wider Pano of the 3rd Kearsarge Lake



As the sun disappeared, I watched the trout rising for bugs. I wanted to cheer every time I saw or heard a splash because I figured that was one less mosquito. Unfortunately, the fish could not get all the bugs.



Get those bugs


The clouds were looking like they weren't going away and I was getting tired, so time for bed.


I woke up in the middle of the night to water a tree and the sky was crystal clear with stars everywhere. I wished I had set up my camera to automatically take some photos.

Last full day to explore the Kearsarge Basin. First I followed a user trail to the upper lake, knocking down stupid/unnecessary ducks as I went.


Lots of fish


And then headed back to camp ...


... where I enjoyed the view ...




... before heading to the lower lakes and Bullfrog Lake. I decided to avoid the trail and just see where I ended up as I followed the water lower and lower.

Down below the lowest Kearsarge Lake I came across a trail crew's camp. They were set up for the summer and planning on working on the JMT where it drops down to Vidette Meadow. Having just hiked that part in both directions, I think they have a lot of work to do. I thanked them for their efforts and moved on towards Bullfrog Lake.

I wandered around the south side of Bullfrog Lake before heading back towards camp. As I climbed back up through the meadow above Bullfrog, I noticed something weird high up in a tree. As I got closer, I saw that it was a sign of some sort, but too high up to read ...


... on the base of the tree was this sign.


Back to camp for dinner and another sunset


The moon is getting bigger above the Kearsarge Pinnacles.


Last light




















Last morning, time to pack up and head back to the car and civilization, one last look at the Kearsarge Lakes.


And a random butterfly as I got close to the car to close out the photos.


I chatted with a couple different groups of hikers on my way down the trail. As I hiked, I was dreaming about gas station tacos and beer and a shower. At the trailhead, I ended up giving a ride to a couple of mid-60s gentlemen from the LA area. They had started at Whitney 6 or 7 days early and were going to meet their wives in Lone Pine. I dropped them off in Independence to wait for the women and went to find tacos, beer and a shower. I was hoping that it all would be in the same place, but no. Found the taco truck, walked across the street for a tallboy and then back for tacos in the 100 degree heat. Then back a little bit for a shower at the gas station. I don't know if this is a regular thing, but they said they only had cold water. I did not see the point in paying $5 for a cold shower when I knew I could get a real shower at the Whitney Hostel in Lone Pine, so down the road for a shower and then the 4 hour drive to Vegas.

As I got close to Pahrump on the other side of Death Valley I saw the sign for "The Hub" (a dive looking place on the side of the road that I had noticed last time through the area). A quick google showed reasonable reviews, so burger and beer before the airport makes sense. The burger was good, the people were interesting and the smoke was overpowering. I had forgotten what a "smoky bar" was like after living in a smoke-free area for 15 years. I'd go back for the burger but they have to get rid of the smoke.

I made it to the car rental and then to the airport, dropped my bag and had a beer while waiting for my red eye flight, landed in Cincinnati around 6am and back home right about 8am. I can't wait to go back.

Summary/lessons learned: I thought that I wanted solitude and I still do. But, I don't mind interacting with people on the trail. In fact, with some people I enjoy it. It is interesting to hear what people are doing/where they are heading. And it is useful to get a little information about things like snow covered passes. It turns out that I don't need/want solitude while hiking, but I really like it once I setup camp. Kearsarge Lakes made this obvious and made me think of Charlotte Lake and Rae Lakes last summer. The crowded/noisy camping is what annoys me, not fellow hikers on something like the JMT. I figure it is a valuable trip if I learn something about myself and on this trip I did.
 
Thanks for the report, I've been waiting to see how it turned out. Great pictures, I'll get through the text when I get a minute. I just got back yesterday and have a report to get up, too. I love the colors you got on your sunsets and the star pictures are spectacular as usual.
 
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Wow, beatiful photos, spectacular scenery, delicate flowers, amazing sunsets & star photos. Never too many sunset photos. I was looking forward to this TR, thanks for sharing! I can see why you love it so much, just incredible! Very interesting to meet the one woman. We always meet interesting people when hiking, fun to hear where they have been. On a rare occasion we meet some of the rude ones you described (rude, but fairly typical ‘big city survival behavior’).

About the stomach issues and how you felt for days... and you probably already know it: you were likely very dehydrated from the get go: after flying, straight up to 8,500 ft, stomach issues..... the altitude can really do a number on all of us, especially coming from low elevation. Do you bring some pepto bismol (tablet form or chewables) when you go backpacking? Some of those combined with lots of water might have helped you quicker.
We learned this the hard way some years ago. We knew we shouldn’t do it, but we did it anyway. Flew in from sea level to Denver, drank a couple of beer each, slept at 5,000 and the next morning we headed straight up to very high elevation. As expected that didn’t end well, because we were super dehydrated from the beginning and not acclimatized yet. I try now to hydrate the day before, hydrate a lot during flying, hydrate a lot after arriving, not drink beer (not always successful with that one, especially when the guys want to head straight to the micro brewery from the airport :rolleyes: ) and ideally we also try not to head straight up to high altitude. I know you have limited time, so staying at mid altitudes for a few days isn’t always feasible. Altitude is really tough, especially with stomach issues and not feeling quite 100% from the start. It sounds like you recovered eventually :). What a trip, to the next one!
 
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Outstanding. This area was on my list for this year but I got scared off by the snow year. Perhaps next year. If I can work out the time I would want to do the Big SEKI loop. Might be near impossible.

I agree about the social interaction of hiking. I really do enjoy talking and interacting with folks out backpacking, I would be psyched to find a capable partner but my schedule usually doesn't allow it. I am also happy to have solitude in camp. Thanks for a great write up and pictures.
 
Wow, beatiful photos, spectacular scenery, delicate flowers, amazing sunsets & star photos. Never too many sunset photos. I was looking forward to this TR, thanks for sharing! I can see why you love it so much, just incredible! Very interesting to meet the one woman. We always meet interesting people when hiking, fun to hear where they have been. On a rare occasion we meet some of the rude ones you described (rude, but fairly typical ‘big city survival behavior’).

About the stomach issues and how you felt for days... and you probably already know it: you were likely very dehydrated from the get go: after flying, straight up to 8,500 ft, stomach issues..... the altitude can really do a number on all of us, especially coming from low elevation. Do you bring some pepto bismol (tablet form or chewables) when you go backpacking? Some of those combined with lots of water might have helped you quicker.
We learned this the hard way some years ago. We knew we shouldn’t do it, but we did it anyway. Flew in from sea level to Denver, drank a couple of beer each, slept at 5,000 and the next morning we headed straight up to very high elevation. As expected that didn’t end well, because we were super dehydrated from the beginning and not acclimatized yet. I try now to hydrate the day before, hydrate a lot during flying, hydrate a lot after arriving, not drink beer (not always successful with that one, especially when the guys want to head straight to the micro brewery from the airport :rolleyes: ) and ideally we also try not to head straight up to high altitude. I know you have limited time, so staying at mid altitudes for a few days isn’t always feasible. Altitude is really tough, especially with stomach issues and not feeling quite 100% from the start. It sounds like you recovered eventually :). What a trip, to the next one!

The only person I would describe as "rude" would be the guy on the JMT with the loud music and no acknowledgment of my courtesy. Everyone else was just was either very nice or just clueless about how their behavior impacted everyone else around them.


I think my stomach was exacerbated by dehydration and exertion, but I'm pretty sure something was going on since I was feeling it before I even got in the car to drive to the airport. Normally I would have had a beer or two on the pre-trip beginning, but even food did not sound good. I do think that the first night at Whitney Portal (~8500') helped with the altitude. Next time I will make a point of carrying electrolytes to help with the dehydration.

Glad you liked the photos, I agree about the sunsets :)
 
Really great set of landscapes and sunsets you had.
Hopefully the mozzies were only an issue when you stopped and not while hiking.
I like to think of the wilderness as my holy place so I treat it like I am in church...with utmost reverence. I don't expect everyone else to have that attitude but i do expect people to be mindful off their noise pollution and how it affects others. I think you will find most of the excess noise occurs where the trails are within day hiking distances. Backcountry backpackers are generally more respectful of their fellow campers.
I need to post my August Sierra trip also....the mosquitoes were still and issue for us also.

tv
 
Thanks for the report, I've been waiting to see how it turned out. Great pictures, I'll get through the text when I get a minute. I just got back yesterday and have a report to get up, too. I love the colors you got on your sunsets and the star pictures are spectacular as usual.

The sunsets were unreal the whole time. It was a very nice contrast to last year when there was not a cloud in the sky the whole time. That made really nice stars, but very boring sunsets.

Can't wait to see your report

Outstanding. This area was on my list for this year but I got scared off by the snow year. Perhaps next year. If I can work out the time I would want to do the Big SEKI loop. Might be near impossible.

I agree about the social interaction of hiking. I really do enjoy talking and interacting with folks out backpacking, I would be psyched to find a capable partner but my schedule usually doesn't allow it. I am also happy to have solitude in camp. Thanks for a great write up and pictures.

I'm glad that I was committed to going because other than Forester Pass, snow was a non-issue. Even Shepherd Pass would have been doable with hiking poles.

WOW. I may be using your TR route for when I hit the Sierra's next year. Absolutely amazing

I'm far from a SEKI expert, but I have read a ton of trip reports. I'd be happy to help with the planning.

Really great set of landscapes and sunsets you had.
Hopefully the mozzies were only an issue when you stopped and not while hiking.
I like to think of the wilderness as my holy place so I treat it like I am in church...with utmost reverence. I don't expect everyone else to have that attitude but i do expect people to be mindful off their noise pollution and how it affects others. I think you will find most of the excess noise occurs where the trails are within day hiking distances. Backcountry backpackers are generally more respectful of their fellow campers.
I need to post my August Sierra trip also....the mosquitoes were still and issue for us also.

tv

Only on the climb to Lake South America were they bad while hiking. There I had to hike with my bugnet. There were a couple times where I had the net off and climbing/gasping for breath I swallowed a couple bugs, back on with the net :)

I'm not religious, but the "treat it like church" is a very good description of my view. And you are correct, the noise issues were not from dayhikers, but still very close to the trailhead, the Kearsarge Lakes are a very good rookie spot for a first backpacking trip. That plus a lot of people in general make for noise.

I'm ready for your report
 
Absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing, the Sierras are a bit out of my reach so they are always fun to see.

Those Sky Pilots are pretty awesome aren't they?
 
Fantastic TR and photos. I just added this area to my ever growing bucket list.
 
Absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing, the Sierras are a bit out of my reach so they are always fun to see.

Those Sky Pilots are pretty awesome aren't they?

Sky Pilots are really pretty, but when you see where they are growing (right out of a patch of gravel at 13000') it is hard not to love them.
 
Fantastic TR and photos. I just added this area to my ever growing bucket list.

I'm never going to cross everything off my bucket list, for every one thing I "check off" I add at least 2 or 3 more. I guess it is a good problem to have :)
 
Oh my gosh - your photos are SPECTACULAR! I loved every single sunset and flower pic, as well as all the others. Wow! Adding this to my list for future trips. Wow again - thanks!
 
Enjoyed the report and the great photos. Thanks for posting it.
 
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Mikjik86 Backpacking Glacier National Park (Part 2 Preview) "North Circle Route" Montana, August 2019 Backpacking 2
Yvonne Snow Hike up the West Rim, December 15, 2019 Hiking & Camping 7
Jackson Naturalist Basin - September 2019 Backpacking 14
Yvonne Day Hike to Cache Lake, Yellowstone NP, August 2019 Hiking & Camping 6
wabenho Zion Front-country - Nov. 2019 Hiking & Camping 5
J Lake Mead Natl Recreation Area North Shore scramble fun. Nov. 28-30, 2019 Hiking & Camping 5
J Mount Nutt Wilderness Cave Spring Area dayhike Nov 26, 2019 Hiking & Camping 0
Nick Best of 2019 General Discussion 48
UtahBrian Sids Mountain Wilderness November 2019 Backpacking 5
J Havasu Wilderness and NWR, AZ. Nov 27, 2019 dayhike exploration Hiking & Camping 0
J Death Valley National Park Keene Canyon-Wonder Mine Loop. Dec. 3, 2019 Hiking & Camping 1
J Death Valley Natl Pk Ibex Peak, Jubliee Mtn, Virgin Springs summits Dec. 2, 2019 Hiking & Camping 0
TrailScot Quite the Adventure, South of Moab, Across the Colorado Plateau, May 2019 - Part 4 Backpacking 17
J Pahranagat Country: Big, open, room to roam Nov.9-10, 2019 Hiking & Camping 0
Yvonne Garnet Hill Loop, Yellowstone, August 2019 Hiking & Camping 4
TrailScot Quite the Adventure, South of Moab, Across the Colorado Plateau, May 2019 - Part 3 Backpacking 8
J Death Valley NP: Corkscrew and Artist Palette Peaks, scramble dayhikes Nov 2019 Hiking & Camping 1
TrailScot Quite the Adventure - South of Moab, Across the Colorado Plateau, May 2019 - Part 2 Backpacking 14
TrailScot Quite the Adventure - South of Moab, Across the Colorado Plateau, May 2019 - Part 1 Backpacking 10
Dave Sperry Soaker (Glacier NP, 2019) Backpacking 10
SteveR Desert Roadtrip 2019 Hiking & Camping 4
J Death Valley NP. Marble-Cottonwood (side slot) lollipop loop Nov 17-19,2019 Backpacking 10
scatman Tabby's Peak, Cedar Mountains - November 19, 2019 Hiking & Camping 10
regehr late 2019 road conditions in S Utah Trip Planning 55
Mikjik86 Backpacking Glacier National Park August 2019 Backpacking 3
scatman Mount Olympus - November 10, 2019 Hiking & Camping 1
Yvonne Sentinel and Imperial Meadows, Yellowstone, August 2019 Hiking & Camping 2
fossana 2019 Hayduke documentary General Discussion 1
scatman Whetstone Creek, Teton Wilderness - October 11-14, 2019 Backpacking 19
powderglut Hanksville Area/ Weekend Meet-Up 2019 Hiking & Camping 7
OldBill A return to the Winds: Sept 12-28, 2019 Backpacking 8
NorthwestWanderer My Yearly big timelapse video 2019 General Discussion 10
Born to Hike Mountain Solitude: Reconnaissance Lake, High Uintas, early Sept 2019 Backpacking 9
Dreamer Wind River Dreaming | Summer 2019 July 17 - July 29 | Green River Lakes - Elkhart Park Backpacking 14
scatman Grebe Lake, Headwaters of Lava Creek and Observation Peak, Yellowstone National Park - September 13, 2019 Backpacking 7

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