Title: June 24, 2014 - Big Arroyo to Moraine Lake
Hike Info:
Type: Backpacking
Trail: High Sierra Trail
Destination: Moraine Lake
Distance: 9.55 miles
Start Time: 9:23
End Time: 4:30
Travel Time: 7:06 (1.20 mph)
Moving Time: 4:27 (1.92 mph)
Elevation Rise: 1,220'
Maximum Elevation: 10,621'
Description:
Not sure what happened to Ray and Rachel, but they did not appear in any of the pictures day. Maybe tomorrow.
Got up a bit late. My sleeping bag felt good this morning. So even
though the first light appeared, I tucked my head further into my bag.
But eventually I emerged around 6:15 to have my quiet time. We all were a
bit slow this morning. So slow, that Ray and I got into a discussion on
going light with our backpacks. He noted that a going light book he has
advocates going sans toilet paper-I think it will take a bit of convincing for me to adopt this method. I got in a good wash of myself and
clothes. We finally left camp around 9:15.
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| Gary and Andrea |
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| Andrea Pontificating, not Gary |
The
first challenge is crossing the Big Arroyo, which I crossed several
times yesterday. I find where I crossed yesterday, but I was the only
one to go this way. My crossing was pretty easy. The trail down to the
junction with
Little Five Lakes is pretty gentle, going in and out of
tree cover. But mosquito's hit us at the junction, so we go up two
hundred yards and stop for a snack break.
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| Lower Big Arroyo |
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| Upper Big Arroyo |
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| Humus, Salty MIx and Jerky |
Now
the trail starts climbing the wall of the Big Arroyo. It is some shade
with some exposure. Not as hard as yesterday, but I think I am feeling
the trail more. Maybe it is the altitude or maybe the decrease in
calorie intake, or just being tired. The sun is getting warm and the trail
is constantly rising. Around 11:30 we stop for lunch-humus today. The
place we on a pretty good slope, but lunch is lunch. But not really a great view at all.
The temperature continues to rise, sapping our strength. Ray and Rachel go ahead and stop at the start of the descent. A word about today's walk. It pretty much is a climb up to regain what we lost yesterday, then a decline to
Moraine Lake, back to an elevation where we started today. But of course, we get to see different scenery.
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| Little Five Lake Basin |
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| Great Western Divide |
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| Andrea at rest |
We rest when we catch up with Ray and Rachel. But then Sherri, Steven and I take off ahead. We come to a junction which causes some confusion about that is the right way to go. The High Sierra Trail sort of forks with the one on the left going a more direct route down to the Kern Canyon. But we want to go to Moraine Lake so off we go to the left. It is a gentle descent. We go over to an overlook of the Big Arroyo and the eastern side of the Great Western Divide.
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| Gary and the Great Western Divide |
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| Andrea and the lower part of the Big Arroyo |
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| Moraine Lake |
Shortly afterwards, we get to Moraine Lake. It is a big open area with lots of camping places. Also a bear box awaits us and we are the only ones here-later on a couple of men come by, but we do not see them again as they head to the western end of the lake. The lake is pretty pleasant. I wade off a ways and wash away a couple layers of dirt. But Steven swims out to an island. Just a pleasant, relaxing time. Eventually dinner is made, but no one feels like starting a fire. So its is off to bed we go after what feels like a short day.
Trail Lesson:
Even prosaic days hold wonder and beauty.
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| Moraine Lake |
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| Steven in for a swim |
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| Pitching a tent |
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| Moraine at Sunset |
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| Gary's Nutella Quesadilla |
| Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
Snacks |
| Oatmeal
and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola.
Tang. |
Humus, Salty Mix and Beef Jerky on crackers |
Tamale Freestyle
Nutella and Jelly Belly Quesadilla |
Clif Bar, Jelly Bellies, CytoMax, Propel, GORP, Bank Balls |
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| Kaweah Range |
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| Ghost Forest on way down to Moraine Lake |
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| Mt Kaweah |
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Flowers:
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