After last year’s Sierra backpacking trip, Malte wanted another one and came over in September. I came up with a route that gave us some peaks and great scenery in an area that was mostly new to both of us.
Day 1
We spent the night before at the trailhead to ensure an early start to escape the heat. It worked out well, and we made it up to Symmes Saddle almost entirely in the shade. After a break there, we continued to Anvil Camp, our goal for the day. I did not expect to make it there by noon. We were carrying heavy loads, my pack was 52 lb, Malte’s was 57 lb.
Side note: Before the trip, I mentioned to Malte that in the interest of success, the younger hiker should carry a heavier load (our age difference is 40 years). He disagreed and suggested asking ChatGPT. He quickly regreted it. In a well-reasoned reply, ChatGPT came back saying he should carry 2/3 of the total weight!
We took about an hour break, incl. a nap, at Anvil Camp and then decided to go all the way over Shepherd Pass. There was no snow on the top of Shepherd Pass, but the trail was still very loose and steep. It was windy on the pass, so we decided to skip camping there and continued all the way down to Tyndall Creek. There, we found a big camp area used by PCT/JMT. It was quite busy, but we were running out of daylight and needed a camp.
Day 2
We had a slow start as the water filter refused to work. Fortunately, I had the maintenance kit for my MSR MiniWorks EX, and we were able to get it going again. Eventually, we started our attempt at Caltech Peak from the JMT. So we headed up to the bottom of Forrester Pass, filled our water bladders, and went up the ridge towards the peak. We somehow ended up in very slow terrain and ended up turning back.
Day 3
Our next destination was the Upper Kern Basin to attempt Mt. Genevra and Mt. Ericsson. We left camp and took the trail towards Lake South America. Looking down from the pass above Lake South America, we were confronted with the view of the very rugged basin. We decided to look for a camp at around 11,300 ft by some bigger lakes with trees around them. The trail to the lakes and river sees little traffic, and we had to follow cairns and look for signs of a trail. After looking around a little, we found a very nice sight that would become our base for the next 3 nights.
Day 4
We climbed Mt. Genevra via it’s east slope. We followed the Kern River up to a plateau with some lakes below the slopes of Mt. Genevra and Mt. Ericsson. There we topped off our water and had a snack before starting our climb. It was quite steep on either very loose sand/scree or in big talus. The tedious climb payed off with great views, even though the peaks to the northwest were obscured by some clouds.
Day 5
A cold morning: 23.4 F (-4.8 C). However, we had to get out of our tents before the sun would make it over the peaks to our east. It was time to attempt Mt. Ericsson. Due to the forecast with chances of t-stroms for the afternoon we set a fixed turn-around time. The approach for the first ~1.5 miles was the same as the day before. Most of the climb was on a moderate slope and fairly solid ground. Only the upper ~500 ft were steep/loose/big talus. We limited our time on top due to the dark clouds approaching.
Shortly after we arrived back at camp some rain showers came across and we spent an hour in the tents. Then we had dinner and once we were finished more rain/snow came down. Precipitation was light, but we were glad to have made it off the mountain just in time.
Day 6
Even colder today: 21.7 F (-5.8 C). We allowed ourselves more time this morning to get up closer to the time that Peakfinder had predictated for the sun to appear at our location. After coffee we spread out our icy/wet gear in the appearing sun to dry while we packed the rest and had breakfast.
The hike down along the Kern River led past some beautiful lakes and eventually reached a cliff. There is a huge wall where the river drops hundreds of feet in a very short time. A trail has been blasted into the rock to allow hikers to get down. Once down the hike continued in the forest. It was warm, and we started looking for a campsite where we could cool off in the river. We found a great spot, settled in, did laundry, dipped in the river, read, rested.
Day 7
First morning with temps above freezing. We hiked up the High Sierra Trail and met the first people in over 4 days right at the intersection with the JMT. Incl. Ranger Colin M. The ranger checked our permit and we had a good chat with him.
A little later, while filtering water, Colin came up behind us again and we chatted some more. From the chats we learned there is no trail, use or maintained into the Wallace lakes basin. So with the time we had we decided against checking out that area and followed the Wright Creek to a suitable spot for camp for 2 nights with the goal of climbing Mt Barnard the next day
We spent the afternoon hanging out. Malte sat in the creek for a little bit.
Day 8
We climbed Mr Barnard going up the western ridge. All most the entire route was on a gentle slope. The final, narrow ridge had some very big boulders to climb around, otherwise a straight forward walk-up. Great views of pretty much the entire high Sierra.
Day 9
From our camp spot we hiked straight towards Rockwell Pass. On the steep section, a little below the pass, we discovered a very well worn use-trail. On top we took a break. The steeper North side also had a good use-trail. We angled over to the Shepherd Pass Trail and went up to the pass and the summit lake. I found a sheltered spot while Malte filtered water for his Mt Tyndall attempt. He enjoyed a good, hard hike/climb where he tested his speed and was back in about 2h 45m.
We had a Sardine lunch before hiking down the steep upper section of the Shepherd Pass Trail to Anvil Camp. We arrived early enough to take dip in Shepherd Creek.
Day 10
We got an early start and hiked down to the truck in relative cool conditions. Then we drove home with a stop at the Carl’s Jr in Lone Pine (decent eating establishments in Lone Pine are hard to find since Covid) and had a tripple burger.
Overview map of the hike
Classic peak shot of Malte”s mountain goat skills.
What an awesome hike! Were you able to carry food for 10 days?
Yes, barely. That’s why our packs were so heavy. It appears to be the limit of what the 2 of us can carry relatively comfortably over these passes with 6500+ ft elevation gain.