June 30, 2014 - Comanche Meadow to Marvin Pass Trail Head

Title: June 30, 2014 - Comanche Meadow to Marvin Pass Trail Head

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Destination: Marvin Pass Trail Head

Distance:  5.85 miles

Start Time:  7:28

End Time:   12:36

Travel Time: 5:07 (1.14 mph)

Moving Time: 3:20 (1.76 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,834'

Maximum Elevation: 9,275'

Description:

Speed Team-the Lizards

I did not sleep well last night. Kept waking up and not sure why. May have been thoughts of getting off the trail. Or at least a nice hit shower and something solid to eat. I finally got up at 5:30 with Ray following shortly. We are splitting up into two groups. The speed team, the Lizards, who will go down an get the cars from the Marvin Pass Trailhead and Giant Forest. The Lizards consists of Andrea, Steven and Ray. The slower group, the Tortoises, or as I prefer, the Turtles, will follow and be picked up at Marvin Pass Trailhead.

After an oatmeal breakfast, the Tortoises start out, around 7:30 from Comanche Meadow. We have a 1500' elevation gain this morning. We see signs that the others have already past by this way-footprints and some dirt scratches. We plod along, fitting for tortoises, not too fast, taking many breaks. But we keep moving. 

Dry Trail

Field of Skunk cabbage

The best sights along here are the meadows. Many places the big-leafed skunk cabbage fill the damp ground.  But when we do not pass meadows, there are some tree giving us some shade. But there are many other places where the sun strikes us dead on. Even though it is morning, the sun's rays seem to wilt us when not in the shade. Maybe it is the dustiness of the trail or the dryness of the area, it makes me just want to get through this walk today.

Only a few vistas to the mountains far off. Even then, the view us obstructed by trees.

Trail sign

The top of the grade only brings relief from the ascent. But the reward is only a trip down to Rowell Meadow. At least, it is down, for the most part. When we get to the junction by the Meadow, we only see the green grass from a distance, but we do see the Lizards Team handy work. In case we had doubts about what way to go, they left us direction.

Tortoises

We are off to our final rise of the trip, Marvin Pass. Not really much of a pass. We go up 300' on a mostly level trail. At this point, the feeling is the last of our trip is calling us. We only take a picture to show we were here, then start our final descent to the trailhead. Right after the pass, I start sucking air instead of water out of my bladder-first time this trip. But I can make it down. In a half an hour, we pop out on the unpaved parking lot to wait for our ride. I had told Andrea I thought we would arrive at 12:30 or 1. I was right on with 12:30.

That would be the end or close to the end of most backpacking trips. But one of the things which the Lizard team had to do was to ferry the cars around. So the Tortoises were consigned to wait around in the heat under the shade of a big cedar tree. Every hour or so we would move as the shade moved. Around 2:30, Steven drove up in the Rav4. Pretty nice to have your own chauffeur. Even better when he is bringing gifts from Ray: ice cold water, ice cream bars and potato chips. I never knew that chips and water would taste this good after a hike. Sherri and I went through a whole bag in 15 minutes.

Ray had already left for Sacramento; Andrea decided that she could go straight to Fresno without the pain of a 45 minute drive up to Marvin Pass Trailhead. So Steven was left with driving us home.  We arrived around 4:30. Then we went into the showers, which felt sooo good. To top things off, we went to Casa Quintero's for dinner and things could not get better. I think we must have hit our beds around 9:30 for a good night sleep.

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.		Casa Quintero	Clif Bar, Jelly Bellies, CytoMax, Propel, GORP, Bank Balls

June 29, 2014 - Roaring River to Comanche Meadow

Avalanche Peak

Title: June 29, 2014 - Roaring River to Comanche Meadow

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Destination: Sugarloaf Meadow

Actual Destination: Comanche Meadow

Distance: 11.82 miles

Start Time:  8:24

End Time:   7:23pm

Travel Time: 10:59 (1.08 mph) ¹

Moving Time: 5:46 (2.05 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,414'
Elevation Descent: 2,076'

Maximum Elevation: 8,392'

 ¹This time includes two extended breaks. One at Ferguson Creek to enjoy its coolness; the other at Sugarloaf Meadow for dinner.

Description:

Roaring River a little below camp

Got up at 6 and wrote for a little while until everyone got up. Usual camp routine. We leave the campsite at 8:30. I guess this is really the start of our trip back. I have a feeling of trying to make time to a spot rather than enjoying the journey. Not saying that the hike is not enjoyable, but just there is an effort to make it to a place rather than enjoying the scenery. But to me, the scenery is not the A+ quality we have been seeing along the way. It is your normal Sierra scenery.

Andrea  observing handywork

Roaring River from bridge

It is a good thing we stopped where we did last night. We saw maybe one spot between there and Roaring River.  (Note: in looking at other sites, people make mention of many other campsites along Roaring River, but we did not see them.) The trail is pretty good and we make good time, arriving at the bridge crossing the Roaring River before 11. Like I said previously, there was not much in the way of jaw dropping beauty, just the ordinary Sierra scenes. At Roaring River Ranger Station, there is an outhouse with bear lockers. So we stop for a break. It is warm and I am getting lethargic. The ranger station is much like I remember it, along with the hitching post.

Sherri on top of ridge

Andrea on way up ridge

We decide our next stop will be on the other side of an upcoming unnamed ridge. Even the mile and a half walk along Roaring River is hard work. But when we start up the 400' climb up a ridge to go over into the Sugarloaf area, the heat is oppressive.  We are glad that Ray and Rachel have found Ferguson Creek. Rachel found a nice to lie in a pool in the creek, which we all take turns enjoying the the sensations to our bodies. Cleaned and cool-a twofer! Even the hot springs do not feel this luxurious. The cold water in contrast to the warm air, so invigorating.

Sugarloaf

But once we hit the trail again, our stride is better, but the clean feeling does not last long. Actually, the cool leaves us pretty quickly as well. After a short descent to Sugarloaf Creek, we cross over and now our ascent of the day really starts. We start up the Sugarloaf Valley. While the walking is easy, the heat continues to sap our energy. We finally get to Sugarloaf Meadow and decide to have dinner. Our energy level has hit bottom.

West and East Videttes

Running up Trail

Now it is time for decision. Are we too tired to continue on to Comanche Meadow: 1.5-2 miles with between 500 and 800' rise? We are tired, but nobody likes the idea to camp here while looking forward to a 2000' climb and eight miles of hiking tomorrow while trying to get Ray to Sacramento at a reasonable time. So we settle  on a plan. Andrea and Ray will race ahead to Comanche Meadow and Sherri and Rachel. Steven and I will come along and set up camp. Off we go with another hour plus hike. But the plan worked!

Ready for bed

We find a bear box and and a good campsite. Water is a bit of a problem, but a small creek is located. All are tired, and all get into bed by 9. But we are a in good position to get an early start tomorrow.

Trail Lesson:
Plans do come together, so have a plan.

Todays's Slogan:

Sleep. Eat. Walk. Enjoy

Snowball

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

Places: CA-Comanche Meadow

Comanche Meadow (Mt Sillman)   
(36.7124422, -118.6859325)

Description:

Gary's Note: Bear box at this location. Room for three or four tents easily. Water will be problematic late summer or in drought year.

Trips:

• June 29, 2014 - Ten day trip along the High Sierra Trail and Colby Pass-Stayed here overnight
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References:

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• Big foot incident? Sounded more like hysteria to me
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Pictures:

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