Trans-Sierra Trip To Mt Whitney

[lambertiana]

This year, due to finding a job in the spring after losing my old job, I did not have enough vacation time to do a week long backpacking trip in the Sierras like I usually do. However, I have been sitting on a set of pictures from a trip I did in 2006 for which I never posted a trip report. So if you'll forgive me for the long delay, here goes...

We started the trip at the Marvin Pass trailhead near Horse Corral, just west of Kings Canyon NP. The trail started in typical red fir forest

and then transitioned to lodgepole (this picture was taken at Marvin Pass)

After entering Kings Canyon NP from the west, this is looking down toward Sugarloaf Valley, where we spent the first night

The next day we continued across Sugarloaf Valley and started up Cloud Canyon, here are a couple pictures of the lower part of Cloud Canyon

The next day we continued up Cloud Canyon, this is a typical view of the trail there (little used, and not maintained by the park service)

Then we got to the good part. One of the nicest places in that part of Kings Canyon is Big Wet Meadow in Cloud Canyon, with the Whaleback in the background

And a little above the meadow

A stream crossing above Big Wet Meadow, typical crystal clear Sierra stream

 

[lambertiana]

From there we went through the notch in front of the Whaleback (far left side of the picture above). On the way up, we could see the other wall of Cloud Canyon

Once on the other side of the Whaleback, we were treated to more great views

The Whaleback from the east

And we finally reached Colby Lake, where we spent the third night

The fishing there was great, every cast brought a swarm of golden trout chasing the lure.

The next day we headed over Colby Pass, which is in the middle of this picture

Colby Pass is on the Kings Canyon/Sequoia park boundary, so from that point on we were in Sequoia NP
The view from the top of Colby Pass, looking southeast

Looking southwest toward the Kaweahs

The basin on the south side of Colby Pass is very scenic, here are a couple pictures taken there

From there we continued down to spend the night at Junction Meadow, here are a couple pictures from that section

 

[lambertiana]

From Junction Meadow (which is in the bottom of the Kern River canyon) we headed up toward Wallace Creek, where we would spend the night. Wallace Creek is where we joined up with the John Muir Trail. This is looking down Kern Canyon from partway up to Wallace Creek

Looking across Kern Canyon toward the Kaweahs from the east wall of Kern Canyon

The same view from near Wallace Creek

The following day we went south on the John Muir Trail. First, a view on the way

Big Sandy Meadow

And finally Mt Whitney comes into view

Then we passed Timberline Lake

And arrived at Guitar Lake, where we spent the night

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Stunning photos Bro

I'm so jealous!!!

 

[lambertiana]

The next morning we left before dawn to summit Mt Whitney (14,508', 4423M). Once it got light I could get a picture of the summit ridge

And finally we made it to the summit. This is looking north

And south

On the way down, we had great views looking west (my house is about 40 miles on the other side of the far ridgeline)

On the way to our camp that night at Outpost Camp, we passed Consultation Lake

And Mirror Lake

The last day it was a short trip to Whitney Portal, where the road ends in this picture

We enjoyed the pancake breakfast at the Portal store, it was huge. I could only eat half of mine.

And some parting pictures, looking at Whitney from the Portal road

And in Owens Valley (sure was a lot hotter there, the summit is 10,000' higher than Owens Valley)

This was a very enjoyable trip, I would highly recommend it.

 

[The Warrior]

Wow, beautiful area, and stunning photos. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Wildewinds]

Awesome. That looks like it was fun.

 

[ml100]

Shame on you. How am I supposed to go on working after looking at your pics?
It's 8.49 am over here, and there's a long day ahead.

 

[baldtaco-II]

lambertiana, hola

Splendid stuff.

Any especially salient bits of kit you've dumped since then?

 

[cappaletti]

Fantastic!!!!!

 

[sicily02]

Wow I want to go hiking and camping there. the pics you posted are awesome:thumbup:
I would like to do some fishing in that lake with the trout.

Did you see any bears or there tracks?

Bryan

 

[n2wilderness]

Amazing

 

[PropThePolecat]

Fantastic pics! Wish ill be able to do something like that one day...What were the daytime and nighttime temps like and what was the average altitude?

 

[EIDO]

Great crisp photos, thanks for the armchair trek.

 

[TheGame]

A lot of pics. Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:

 

[beanbag]

Awesome!

Big views, clean water, epic summit. What more could you ask for?

Did you go through a lot of sunscreen?

 

[rinos]

stunning photos ,wish i could get there

 

[kgd]

That amazing. Out of breath just reading the thread!

 

[raylaconico]

Another awesome trip report John.

 

[dboles]

Nice trip and stunning views
Thanks for taking the time to post
Dan'l