Sep 6, 2024 -- Sierra High Route, Day 7 (Evolution Lake)

It was a hard long day but no route finding as it was all on the John Muir Trail.  Meet two brothers who are also doing the Sierra High Route but southbound.  I noticed their feet were taped up and toes bandaged so I don't feel as bad.  My feet and legs are getting pretty beat up from all the scrambling and rocks.  Lots of hikers especially over Muir Pass.  Had some light rain after leaving Muir Pass but passed quickly.  Evolution Basin with it's many lakes was magical. Camping on the north side of Evolution Lake. 

Sep 5, 2024 -- Sierra High Route, Day 6 (Dusy Basin)

Climbing over Potluck Pass was another challenging obstacle.  From Potluck pass the route follows over an inconspicuous saddle into Palisade Basin and the numerous Barret Lakes before making it's way over Knapsack Pass to Dusy Basin.   I must of crested and continued over the unnamed pass, before Barret Lakes without realizing my progress.  It was rough hiking over talus  and at one point I felt there where more tarns then I expected.  It was really Barret Lakes; and I crested Knapsack Pass thinking I was really only at the unnamed pass.  Looking down at Dusy Basin I thought perhaps I was off track again.   Dropping down to the many lakes in Dusy Basin I started to worry I was off trail.   I kind of thought it looked like Dusy Basin but in my mind it was too soon so I was uncomfortable.  As I was resting by one of the lakes I saw a hiker.  Then a tent.  Then a 15 person trail crew and a ranger.  Turns out I had already crossed Knapsack pass and was just were I wanted to be to camp for the night.   Camping after the last lake in Dusy  Basin beside the Bishop Pass trail footbridge.

Sep 4, 2024 -- Sierra High Route, Day 5 (Tarn after Cirque Pass)

My first big navigation error today.   When leaving the John Muir Trail I aimed slightly to far to the right and somehow navigated up the wrong canyon.  Two plus hours of grueling extra climbing and when I crested the pass nothing looked right.   I realized I had taken a right leaning fork when I left the trail and climbed the wrong canyon.   Backtracking I started over with a wasted four hours of extra scrambling.  

The climb up the correct route to Cirque Pass was as bad as Frozen Lake Pass. I'm exhausted.  Camping at the first high mountain tarn after Cirque Pass.  Noticed I lost a toenail from all the stress of boulder and talus hopping.  I'm having trouble confirming position data using my gps but finally realized using battery saver mode the phone was not trying hard enough to get a satellite fix in the canyons.   If I had been able to confirm my gps location I could have avoided some of my off-route detour.   I'm worried about having enough battery to last the 14days till resupply some I'm pretty stingy with using the gps.  Guess it didn't pay off today.  Still great weather and scenery.  

Sep 3, 2024 -- Sierra High Route, Day 4 (Palisade Lakes)

After navigating Lake Basin I climbed up and over Frozen Lake Pass near Vennacher Needle.  Frozen Lake pass at 12,350ft was as scary as I remember when I climbed it with Rick and Ed many years ago.  It's even more intimidating when descending solo.  After navigating through the Upper Basin the route joins up with the John Muir Trail for 6 miles which provided welcome switchbacks to climb up and over Mather Pass.  Camping tonight a Palisade Lake, north of Mather Pass, with a fine view of Split Mountain(a 14,000 foot summit Ed, Rick  and I climbed back in 2007)

Sep 2, 2024 -- Sierra High Route, Day 3 (Marion Lake)

Up and over Windy Ridge; climbing Gray pass, White pass, and Red pass and down the steep gully to Marion Lake.  A group of 5-6 young college age hikers came down the gully in the dark while I was getting ready to sleep.   I'm not sure I would have liked navigating down that in the dark.  Woke around 2pm to pee.  I've forgotten how impressive the milky way can be without city light.  Woke to a deer near my tent in the morning.  

Sep 1, 2024 -- Sierra High Route, Day 2 (Horseshoe Lake)

Climbed up and over Grouse Lake Pass, Goat Crest saddle, and Glacial Lake's Valley, to State Lakes and on to Horseshoe Lakes.    Beautiful weather and interesting and challenging route finding.  Briefly stumbled on the father and 2 sons I meet last night as we both were route finding our way...  I suspect we were both off route a little. Ha Ha.  Otherwise no trail or other hikers in sight.

Aug 31, 2024 -- Sierra High Route, Day 1 (Grouse Lake)

Flew to Fresno on my 65th Birthday for the start of my Sierra High Route birthday hike.  Spent last night at Grant Grove Village to acclimate to the altitude and visit the General Grant Tree and Giant Sequoia Grove.  This morning I hitched a ride to Roads End in Kings Canyon for the long climb up to 10,000 feet on the Cooper Creek Trail before bushwacking out to Grouse Lake for my first night on route.  Stumbled on another hiker wandering around the approach to Grouse Lake and was surprised to see a father and two sons and one other hiker all camping at this remote lake.  That's Labor day weekend for you.  

My first bad omen; while trying to cook dinner my Walmart special fuel canister didn't work.  It's like the valve was to low to engage with my stove valve pin.   This happened once before on a hike in the Wind River Range so I wasn't too worried.   Shoved a small piece of rock into the valve stem hole to increase the engagement.  Of course then it started leaking.   Fortunately after some fiddling I got it to work by over tightening the canister really tight.