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| Tuesday,
July 8th -
Our trail continues along the eastern slopes of the divide, with views of
the Kaweah Peaks to the north. After a short break at Little Five Lakes, I
join our lead hikers Big Poppa, Aussie & Thick Energy as the trail
plunges down the hillside, to the Big Arroyo River. A series of careful
crossings takes us to an abandoned cabin, on the far shore.
Tarbubble has arrived, via another route, and greets us there with her new
friends India & Wil. As the next group begins to arrive, we set off again to scout out a camp area up river. It's not always an easy task to find room for nine tents, two tarps and a bivy, but after a little backtracking we find an appropriate spot close to the river, in a beautiful albeit buggy meadow. It's very warm down here, in the mid-day sun, and I seek out a small patch of shade, hopeful of a slight breeze. Once all are in camp, Navi & I rig up a privacy tarp and shower bag, in a sunny spot. Each takes a turn to enjoy the luxury of being fresh and clean, after four days on the trail. Tonight's campfire entertainment will be Tarbubble preparing fresh tortillas, for the team. |
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Wednesday, July 9th -
I zipped my sleeping bag for the first time this trip, as a light frost
settled into the low spots overnight. But, the day warms quickly as we
make another tricky crossing, to head up river toward Nine Lakes Basin and
the climb to Kaweah Gap.
A short hike through the gap leads me down to Precipice Lk, at 3170 m (10400 ft). This indigo jewel of the Sierra is nestled below the sheer granite face of Eagle Scout Peak. I'll spend an hour here on my own, just listening to the ice melt and taking pictures, before joining Hikerchic & JVZ, for the descent down the Hamilton Cr drainage. It's a beautiful trail down, past lakes and waterfalls, and we take our time to enjoy the wildflowers, here on the western slopes, before switch-backing down to our camp at Hamilton Lake. It's tricky to peg a tent near the granite slab lakeshore, but it's great terrain for Big Poppa & I to have a game of frisbee, while others dip themselves and their fishing lines in the lake. Rockman has luck and it's fresh trout for all, when Phil takes charge of the fry pan. |
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| Thursday, July 10th -
Once again my senses are confounded, here at these southern latitudes.
At home, precious little grows at 2440 m (8000 ft). Yet here we are
traversing high above the Kaweah river, along a lush humid trail filled
with ferns and wildflowers growing together, beneath tall trees.
After a lunch break and farewells to Tarbubble, we begin our next descent. This is prime bear habitat and I encounter the first of the the day, in the aptly named Bearpaw meadow. A good sized 'blonde' is browsing amongst the trees below me, and despite having plenty of time, I can't seem to get a good clear photo. Another beautifully graded trail makes it a quick trip, down to 1860m (6100 ft) and our crossing of the Kaweah River. As I wait for a few more of the group to arrive, I scout upstream for the best route across. I'll be putting my sandals on for this one. I feel more at home down here on the forested trails. And, after a couple more creeks and one more bear, we reach our camp, under the big sequoias of Redwood Meadow. |
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Friday, July 11th -
For our last evening in camp, we were joined late by our new friends Wil
& India, with their story of a challenging day on the trail.
Naviguesser had been warning for days, that our exit trail would be most
challenging as well. So a feeding frenzy and swap, comparable to a
'Survivor auction' ensued, in an attempt to lighten our loads as much as
possible.
Today's destination: the swimming pool at the Three Rivers hotel. Now well below the starting elevation of our loop, we must climb 1065m (3500 ft), to Timber Gap, before dropping 457 m (1500 ft) to our vehicles approximately 15 km (9 mi) away. Today is the day to 'hike your own hike' and the first of the group is on-trail at 6 am. I rest with Lady Hiker and Thick Energy, after crossing Cliff Cr, and we pump our last available water for the ascent. Aside from the mosquito swarm in the meadows at 2440m (8000 ft), the trail is actually quite enjoyable for me. Were it not for the reading on my altimeter and the complete lack of streams, this terrain is familiar and could well be my own backyard. |
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Aprés Hike -
Hickerchic & I arrived in Three Rivers, to find the first of the group
already poolside. However, a quick shower and shave will have to suffice for
now, as our main objective lies up the street, in the form of pizza and
beer.
Having 'Naviguessed' their way successfully from the trailhead, the final four arrive as the team assembles in my room for drinks. Once the sun sets and the temperature drops into the 90s, we move the party to the warm breeze of the pool deck, where the full moon lights the evening. With the help of perfect weather, and the most enjoyable company of my new friends, the variety of terrain and magnificent scenery we've encountered this week may very well rank this trail amongst my all time 'top five' alpine favourites. |
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The Road Home - Departures began early on Saturday morning, as the
southern group set off, on a detour to Yosemite, before returning to Los
Angeles. JVZ volunteered to return Aussie & Big Poppa to Sacramento, for
their flights home, leaving Rockman & Hikerchic to accompany me back to
Stockton.
After an enjoyable dinner on the river, with JVZ and his wife, I returned home with Hikerchic, for a much need sleep, in preparation for the ten hour solo drive, to get me back as far as my friend Alpine's place in Portland, on Sunday. The final leg home, on Monday, allowed just enough time, to reconnect with Aussie in Seattle, for lunch and a quick tour of the Starbucks HQ. "Many thanks" to Naviguesser and the California crew, for your efforts to coordinate the trip. It was indeed a pleasure to meet all of the 'Paloozers', and share the trail with you. I'll look forward to the first opportunity, to hike with each one of you again !! And a very big "thank you" to all of my American friends, up and down the coast, for your gracious hospitality and generosity. It was an amazing road trip, never to be forgotten. Best regards to you all..... |
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