lambertiana
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2000
- Messages
- 9,437
Baldtaco - I have replaced a few gear items since then. Although I still use my Optimus Nova stove for snow camping trips, I now use a canister stove in the summer - either a Snow Peak Giga with the smaller pot from the Brunton IB set when cooking just for myself, or an MSR Windpro stove with a Jetboil GCS pot for larger groups. Starting last year, I have been using an Osprey Atmos 65 pack. It is lighter and carries a bit better than my Jansport Carson, but represents a significant loss of volume, so I have to really cram things in for a weeklong trip. Bear canisters are required in some of those areas, and I replaced my Garcia with a Bearikade (carbon fiber, a full pound less, and holds more). And I got a light solo tent, a Marmot Eos 1P (I shared a larger tent with others on this trip). Other than that, my gear has not changed, although now my fixed blade is a Laconico.
For this trip, the starting trailhead was at 8400', and the ending trailhead was 8360'. The lowest we were was about 7200' in Sugarloaf Valley. Our highest camp was Guitar Lake (11,400'). Daytime highs were anywhere from close to 80 in Sugarloaf to low to mid 60s higher up. We only had frost once, at Wallace Creek (10,400'). Guitar Lake is 1000' higher, but did not quite get to freezing.
We didn't see any bears on this trip, although I encounter them regularly up there. Two of the guys in our group turned back above Big Wet Meadow, and they saw a mama bear with cubs in Sugarloaf Valley on their way out. We did see fresh mountain lion tracks near Big Sandy Meadow.
And yes, I did need sunscreen. The sun is intense at that elevation. I have good results with SPF 48 or higher, and I use SPF 45 chapstick. A wide brimmed hat is a must.
The trout in Colby Lake were Volcano Creek Goldens, this is not a very good picture. With the crystal clear water, you could see them coming from all directions to attack the lures when they hit the water.
This is a Little Kern Golden (California State Fish) that came out of Guitar Lake. It had been dead for a while before I got the picture, so the colors are already faded some. They are spectacular fish, and the best tasting trout I have ever had.
For this trip, the starting trailhead was at 8400', and the ending trailhead was 8360'. The lowest we were was about 7200' in Sugarloaf Valley. Our highest camp was Guitar Lake (11,400'). Daytime highs were anywhere from close to 80 in Sugarloaf to low to mid 60s higher up. We only had frost once, at Wallace Creek (10,400'). Guitar Lake is 1000' higher, but did not quite get to freezing.
We didn't see any bears on this trip, although I encounter them regularly up there. Two of the guys in our group turned back above Big Wet Meadow, and they saw a mama bear with cubs in Sugarloaf Valley on their way out. We did see fresh mountain lion tracks near Big Sandy Meadow.
And yes, I did need sunscreen. The sun is intense at that elevation. I have good results with SPF 48 or higher, and I use SPF 45 chapstick. A wide brimmed hat is a must.
The trout in Colby Lake were Volcano Creek Goldens, this is not a very good picture. With the crystal clear water, you could see them coming from all directions to attack the lures when they hit the water.
This is a Little Kern Golden (California State Fish) that came out of Guitar Lake. It had been dead for a while before I got the picture, so the colors are already faded some. They are spectacular fish, and the best tasting trout I have ever had.
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