June 17, 2009 –Royal Arches Lake to Givens Lake, (6.8 miles GPS)

Woke up at 6:00, but laid in bed until 6:50. Sort of a lazy morning. David is already up. A few clouds, but nearly blue. Sun comes up over the arches above the lake. Nice. We have marmots around here. Looks like we will be leaving around 9:30.

We descend through patchy snow to the trail junction (N37.56789 W119.50693). Even in this area, the trail is underwater. But that quickly disappears as we go on a 500’ climb. Steep—these trail makers should have learned how to make switch backs. It was straight up the side of the ridge until we met the saddle. Was not hot, but in a month, this trail definitely would be an early morning trail or it being hot and dusty. We should have contoured around from Royal Arches Lake.

When Sherri and I get to the top (N37.56791 W119.50023), David and Steven are reclining against a couple of rocks, acting like a couple of content hobbits. I did ask if they had any Longbottom Leaf. They did have Nutella and Peanut Butter. Or more accurately, I brought it up with me.

Given that we would be descending steeply into Buck Camp (N37.56303 W119.48962) next via the trail, then do a 1,000’ ascent, we decide to go cross-country and contour around to Givens Lake. The first part was on a steep dirt grade, which we cut across. Nothing too bad. Then we crossed a small boulder field and head for a small saddle (N37.57503 W119.49075), which would give us entrance into the Given Creek drainage. On the way, we got a view of what I believe was Chain Lakes. We dropped down to a shelf at the 8,900’ level instead of traversing across large boulders with full backpacks. This turned out to be a good decision.

We hit some snow on the north side of the ridge, but it largely disappeared as we went lower and hit more sunlight.

We followed the base of a large boulder field into a forested area, crossing many creeks. We stopped for Cliff bar break by one of the creeks. Steven filled up our water supply there.

A word about the guiding. David is guiding us, trying to keep us from dropping down too far or rising up to aggressively. With all contour hiking, it is a challenge to find an acceptable path. David and Steven were up ahead about 20 yards with Sherri and I following. We basically kept level while going around the Given Creek basin.

As we got to the end of the basin, we came across a pretty steep, rocky place. Sherri was not too happy about this situation. David and Steven came to a cliff so we were forced to descend about 100’ down to easier walking. We crossed the lower side of the basin. This was very pleasant as we walked through a forest of small trees—developing trees, not dwarfs or anything like that.

But then we start walking up the ridge separating the Given’s Creek area from the Given’s Lake. This was about a 200’ elevation rise, not bad. Just towards the end of the day, it was a bit tiring. But we top the ridge (N37.58862 W119.46948)—as far as ridge tops are concerned, not as scenic as you would hope. But you know, anytime you clear a ridge, it is a good feeling.

We dip down to go towards Given’s. I come across a mud hole, But fortunately, or unfortunately Given’s Lake is beyond this. As we go towards the lake, Sherri and I come across the bone remains of what looks like a deer. No meat only bones.

We caught up with Steven and David above Given’s Lake. After eyeballing the shoreline and not finding anything obvious, we decide to split and go around the lake separately— Sherri and I to the north; Steven and David to the south. There was nothing too much on the north side of the lake—there looked like some campsites below a ridge, about an eight of a mile away. But David and Steven struck gold. Directly east of the lake, there was a good campsite (N37.58210 W119.46686) on the ridge so you could see the lake and look to the south and east and see the splendor of the area.

The area was nice and protected—even though the sky had cleared up nicely. The tents were away from the eating area. And the dinner was, in my humble opinion, the best of the entire trip. It was a beef-veggie roll with salsa and a tortilla. I went back for seconds, and then a third. Felt soooo good.

We played cribbage and Mille Bourne. Then for the first time this trip we got an alpine glow sunset. While not top notch, an alpine glow is always something which you quiet for and wonder. When the mountains around you turn yellow, orange, pink and red, you gaze and draw inspiration from. Shortly afterwards, we went to bed.

June 16, 2009 –Lower Chilnualna Lake to Royal Arches Lake, (7.4 miles GPS)

I got up earlier than I thought it was—6:25. Cold last night, in the 30’s. Had my quiet time.

Usual breakfast. Leisurely start. It is a clear, beautiful morning. It is about 9:15 before we got started.

A word about the weather, There has been a lot of overcast during our days of hiking. But except for a brief hail and sprinkle the first day, we have been dry, but cold. We have been fortunate.

The first part of the day is a climb up to the junction (N37.60378 W119.52220). Its about two miles and 600’. We do it in 2 hours. What a view! Saw the backside of Half Dome, Clark, Starr King, and many others. Nice place for lunch. But it started to get cold again.

Buena Vista Lake (N37.60002 W119.51752) is an “Oh Wow” lake. Maybe it is three days hiking; it may be it’s the 9,077’ elevation; or the cliff side of Buena Vista Peak, but this is one fine lake. Right now snow is very much part of its show. We just gawk as we pass by. Stopping only to take pictures.

On up to the top of the saddle (N37.59977 W119.50974). Its another ¾ mile and 300’ climb up to 9,350’. Towards the top, snow covers some of the trail. Steven and David come down and take our packs. We were just about at the top when they came to us. But it was nice gesture for them.

Because of the snow, they went a non-trail route—designated the Dead Chipmunk Trail. Some bones were found along the way. I went off and took a few shots of Buena Vista Lake.

Coming down the south face of the saddle, there was lots of snow until about the 9,000’ level. We were able to follow the trail from a distance or crossing it with snow on the trail. We did pretty well going down, that is until a large patch of snow hid a left turn made by the trail. It crossed the creek. But we kept looking on the west side of the creek. When we went low enough, we realized where the trail was. So across the creek we went, and found the trail pretty quickly.

While we were coming down, it started raining for about an hour. Can’t say we were soaked, but it chilled us with a cold rain. There was a couple sounds of thunder—a ways away.

We came into Royal Arches Lake (N37.57809 W119.50439) as the clouds were descending. Got even colder. David got his tarp out and we pulled the tents under it—of course at this point, it stopped raining.

Dinner was beef stroganoff. Pretty tasty. We are about half way through our fuel. We will see how this works out.

David and Steven start a fire. It felt really good. Perfect would be hot chocolate and cheesecake. Clouds are starting to rise.

We have company! Two people came in. Sort of unsociable folks. They even buried their fish guts close to our camp.

The fire is dying. Its getting cold, and still cloudy, but breaking up. Bed time is around 8:30.