Title: June 22, 2014 - Nine-Mile Creek to Hamilton Lake
Hike Info:
Type: Backpacking
Trail: High Sierra Trail
Destination: Hamilton Lake
Distance: 6.75 miles
Start Time: 9:09
End Time: 5:03
Travel Time: 7:53 (0.86 mph)
Moving Time: 4:42 (1.44 mph)
Elevation Rise: 1,807'
Maximum Elevation: 8,187'
(Lots of pictures at bottom of blog)
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| Bearpaw Meadow Area |
Description:
Woke up around 5:30, but just enjoyed the warmth of my new bag for
awhile. Then did my quiet time. Finally got out of the bag around 6:10.
So far the only one up. But Andrea quickly joins me. Even Steven and
Rachel are up. We have breakfast and break camp at the un-backpacking
hour of 9:07.
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| Steven looking up at Lone Pine Canyon |
The first part from Nine Mile
Creek is pretty easy some up, more down. Mostly in shade, but some
exposed. After a mile or so, we stop at
Buck Canyon for a break, then on we go. Sherri,
Steven and I in the lead; Ray, Rachel and Andrea are relaxing by the
creek. So we start the climb up to
Bearpaw Meadows. This is our first
really good climb of the hike. I am sweating early, but we make it up pretty
good. There is a discussion among the three of us about having a
cleaner camp, than we had at Nine-Mile Creek.
 |
| High Sierra Trail |
We stop at the junction with
Bearpaw campground and rest for a little while. When we pass through the
High Sierra Camp, we are less than impressed by what we saw. By a supply cabin, there
are garbage boxes stacked high. The store from the outside looks sort of
humble, but what you would expect 11 miles off of the closest road?
Tent cabins are scattered about. We quickly pass through without sampling its delights.
Going
to
Lone Pine Creek gives you a good appreciation of the trail builders.
We are perched on the side of a cliff, hiking across the cliff. Many
places all we have is a little ledge with some great vistas. I think of a
friend of mine who would have a bad case of vertigo. He would not like
this trail.
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| Old Bridge on Lone Pine Creek |
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| Lone Pine Gorge |
We cross Lone Pine Creek on a new
bridge. The wreckage of the old bridge lies below us. I am thinking the
trail used to cross a ways above this point-looking at an old topo map
confirms my memory. We stop a little ways up the trail, in some shade
for lunch. My fiendish children steal my Nutella, but do eventually return it.
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| Looking down Hamilton Creek |
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| Water over the edge |
But even with these shenanigans, there comes a time which we must face the challenges of the day. That challenge was now on us in the form an 800' climb which is the entrance to
Hamilton Lake, our camping place for the evening. 800's gain over two miles does not sound like much, but for some reason, we, or at least Sherri and I were struggling. Maybe it was being on a surface exposed to the afternoon sun, maybe old age, or just not being in as good of shape as I thought. Either way, we bring up the rear. About 3/4 of a mile before Hamilton Lake, the trail crosses Hamilton Creek. We choose this as a resting place, and it is a good choice. From this crossing you have a granite seat which allows us to look down into the Lone Pine canyon, over to Bearpaw Meadow and even the last glimpses of
Moro Rock. This is a good place to send off the
Kaweah River.
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| Falls on Hamilton Creek |
There had been talk of going on to
Precipice Lake, but we all agree that Hamilton, with its three bear boxes is a wonderful place to stop for the night. Andrea and I talk and she asks if I know where Angel Wings is? No and I do not see it on the map. At home, I find out that Angel Wings is another name for
Valhalla, which is on the map and we are passing by it. And it is a good place, that is except for the thieves. I am not talking about Andrea and Steven here, but the deer and marmots are in cahoots with eat other, providing distractions so the other can go after our equipment. Rachel and Andrea run after the deer anytime they are seen to drive them away. Last year, Andrea had one of her poles stolen, but recovered. After retrieving her pole, there was deer slobber on the straps-yech.
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| Hamilton Lake |
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| Sleeping arrangements |
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| Night Exercises |
After a good evening chat, we decide it is time to tuck ourselves in for a good evening of sleep. Goodnight world.
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