June 23, 2014 - Hamilton Lake to Big Arroyo

Title: June 23, 2014 - Hamilton Lake to Big Arroyo

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail: High Sierra Trail

Destination: Big Arroyo

Actual Destination: about a mile before the Big Arroyo bear lockers

Distance: 6.68 miles

Start Time:  7:59

End Time:    5:07

Travel Time: 9:07 (0.73 mph)

Moving Time: 4:31 (1.48  mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,470'

Maximum Elevation: 10,736'

Description:

Got up at 5:30. Shortly afterwards everybody else got up. Even then, we got going  at 8. 

Camp Life

Hamilton Lake

There is not too much to say, except once we cross the creek coming out of Hamilton Lake, we start our ascent of Kaweah Gap. This is a 2400' relentless climb. But there is compensation for the aches we have lugging our packs. As we climb up, first we see Hamilton Lake a lot better. Ray talks about the fish he saw in Lower Hamilton. This morning I have been hiking with Ray. He is fast than I am, but I am doing OK.  Then as we climb, we can see where BearPaw Meadow's saddle is. Also the trail which got carved out of a rock cliff before Lone Pine Creek. Just some magnificent sights, every switchback brings new vistas. We can even see Moro Rock where we started Saturday. But the best was yet to come.

More of Hamilton Lake

Lower Hamilton Lake

Falls from Precipice Lake

Hamilton from high up

As we clear the chaparral level of the trail, we start hitting more granite on the trail. You can see where trail crews have carved whole sections of the trail out from granite cliffs. Other parts of the High Sierra Trail gives you we are on the edge of a cliff feel. But on this section of the trail, we are not only getting this feeling, but are on a cliff. This is accentuated when we reach this chute, which we find out is called Hamilton Gorge. We first see a role of thick steel cable, followed by a couple of cement buttresses with huge eye-bolts, one on each side of the gorge. Ray and I speculate what this went to. With an eye-bolt broken off, we think that the bridge failed its stress test. Now there is a tunnel through rock, with the trail hugging a blasted out section of cliff. Later on I find out the story behind the failed bridge:

Down the Gorge

The climb begins with a series of sweeping switchbacks across the bluffs to the north of the lake, before turning east towards the sheer-walled avalanche chute known as Hamilton Gorge. In 1932, Park Service engineers erected a steel suspension bridge across the Gorge, but in the winter of 1937, a massive avalanche tore the bridge from its moorings and swept its twisted wreckage down to the shores of Big Hamilton Lake. You can still see the bridge's concrete foundations and a few scrap metal remains, but the trail now uses a ledge and tunnel that were blasted by the Civilian Conservation Corps the next summer. From NPS' web page on Hiking the High Sierra Trail

High Sierra Tunnel

Tarn at 10,000'

As we approach a tarn, a little above 10,000', we stop for lunch. We have not traveled far in distance, but it has been a pretty good pull for us. We have stopped below a giant boulder, about the only place we can find with shade. We enjoy our peanut butter and Nutella snack, and then just plain rest for a time. But Precipice Lake is calling and so we don our packs and continue on.

Precipice Lake

From our lunch place, Precipice Lake is only a third of a mile, but it is another 500' of climbing. So when we get to the lake, we are ready for another stop. Here we find another couple of hikers enjoying an Ansel Adams scene. Craig and Paul thought about doing the whole of the HST, but were not making as good of time as they thought they would so. They are on their return trip to Giant Forest. They are the first people, and it turns out, the only people who we will have a prolonged conversation with on this trip. Later on Andrea makes a comment on the JMT Facebook page and Craig recognizes her.

Precipice Lake

Rachel and Ray Surveying our climb

Andrea Refreshed

I enjoy a patch of earth. But others have a different idea of recreating. Rachel, and then Ray, climb a far away boulder for a birds eye view of Hamilton Lake and beyond. Andrea dunks herself. But Ray tops us all by taking a running jump and gracefully diving into the snow bounded Precipice lake. He certainly looked refreshed coming out.

I do not think we would have made it up this far last night, but it is time to continue on. Kaweah Gap calls us and we must go. At this point, the hard work has been done and it is only 3/4 of a mile 300' to the top. The trail leads us through a gentle coulee which points us to the Gap. On the north side is the only real sign that this is a place where much of the Valley's water comes from. There is a bit of a cornice, a carry-over from our light winter.

Last of Cornice

Big Arroyo

Nine Lakes Basin

Craig's Waterfall

 On top of Kaweah Gap

Kaweah Gap is one of those places which is anti-climatic. We have been seeing such vistas on the way up we expected more. But what we got was this gentle break in the Great Divide where on one side we see the pleasant climb we just ascended. On the other side is the expansive Big Arroyo. But the Great Divide itself is noteworthy. At the base of the Gap is a plaque commemorating George W. Stewart by naming the adjacent Mt Stewart. We see the Nine Lake basin and the Kaweah's to the north of us. To the south is Eagle Scout Peak. With this, we rest here-you get the feeling that is all which we do today: rest and climb. but our climbing for the day is over.

Sound of Music Moment

Here we start down the Big Arroyo. I am amazed by the size-in my mind, the word big is too small for this wide expanse at the start of the Big Arroyo creek. After the rugged climb up this place seems too gentle to be in the heart of the Sierra's. Our walking is only burdened by having had to exert ourselves over the morning to the top of the Gap. Now we pick up the pace and enjoy our descent.

Looking back towards Kaweah Gap

After a ways, Rachel and Ray stop for a break while the rest of us continue on. When we come to the crossing of the Big Arroyo, we decide this would be a good place to camp. Andrea, Steven and I wander around, but cannot find a place where others have camped. But we do see remnants of places-horse poop, an occasional burnt rock, but nothing recent. Andrea does find a place to pitch tents and hang hammocks, but the site is not really an established campsite. I have even looked at likely places across the Big Arroyo to no avail. Andrea and I go back up the trail a little ways to tell Ray and Rachel what we found, when i wander off. I am not sure what I am seeing which causes me to wander, but I do. Suddenly by the creek, I find a really good place, complete with firepit. So we go back and get everything and set up camp here. That evening, we enjoy a nice campfire and a time of rest.

Trail Lesson:

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Peanut Butter and Nutella on crackers	Szechuan Veggie Noodles	Clif Bar, Jelly Bellies, CytoMax, Propel, GORP, Bank Balls

Hiking Folks:

Hiking Twins-Ray and Gary

 

Rachel and Andrea

Successful Ray

Rachel on the Lookout

June 22, 2014 - Nine-Mile Creek to Hamilton Lake

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)

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.

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.

Old Bridge on Lone Pine Creek

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.

Looking down Hamilton Creek

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.

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.

Hamilton Lake

Sleeping arrangements

Night Exercises

After a good evening chat, we decide it is time to tuck ourselves in for a good evening of sleep. Goodnight world.

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Peanut Butter and Nutella on crackers	Tamale Pie-Freestyle	Clif Bar, Jelly Bellies, CytoMax, Propel, GORP, Bank Balls

Gary charging on the trail

Sherri admiring the view

Ray and Rachel on the march

Ray high above

Falls on Lone Pine Creek

Andrea tossing water

Us Hikers

Sherri wondering about the climb

Lizard

Lower Hamilton Lake

Peak above Hamilton  Lake

Hamilton Lake at Sunset

Hamilton Lake

Daughter-Father Tandem