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Kings Canyon
I just finished a 4 day trip into Yosemite a month ago. � But I couldn't seem to stay away from my backpack, so I stuffed it again and went to Kings Canyon National Park, starting at Onion Valley 15 miles west of Independence, California.
I drove in Sat and I should have taken 4 days off for this trip instead of just 2.5, due to the rough terrain--very vertical with steep switchbacks. I would really have preferred a week, so that I could study the area for images, etc.
Read on for the details or skip to the next image by clicking here
Sunday: I hiked down about 400 ft. to Bullfrog lake (10,610). � then on up to Glen Pass @11,978 ft. �A party of six, which had started in Yosemite 15 days before arrived at the pass where I had started to munch on a bagel and cheese sandwich. Having had dehydrated food for the trip, one woman said in a Scottish brogue, "'E's goat [we say got] a bloody cheese bagel! � It's fresh!" � I barely saved myself by telling them that it was two days old. Down to Rae lakes at 10,538 & camped. � Elevation changes: � 3200 feet. � I did NOT get to Sixty Lake basin which would have taken more time than I had.
Monday: � I shot a few fotos at the lake level and then a marmot showed up on a rock. � I wasted a few slides on it, getting as close as 12 feet with a 105mm focal length on my Canon. �Back up to Glen pass, down to Bull frog lake for water (because I had forgotten to fill up at small lakes on the way down from Glen pass. � Up the trail and down to Kearsarge lakes for more water and to take one photo. �Up to Kearsarge pass for the final haul to the car. � The last gorgeous rays of sun, orange, yellow and pink disappeared as I crested the pass. � Used a headlamp for 2:40 to get down to the parking lot. Did not even have a blister or twist an ankle. � About 6100 ft of up and down over about 12 miles. � I went to a park in Lone Pine, cleaned up a bit, had a hamburger and coffee at PJ's and drove home arriving in Las Vegas @0330. I knew I had selected a **very steep trail, but I worsened it by carrying more than I knew I should in my Dana Designs pack. � Its contents:
A Canon camera with two lenses and case at 5# 6 oz.
A 4x5 camera with 4 lenses, filters, lenshood, light meters, film holders, film, shutter releases, a focusing loupe at 13# 14 oz.
A tripod at 5.5 #
camping gear with clothing tent, sleeping bag, ground pad, water and food that weighed ~31 lb. �That included a bear proof canister for carrying my food, mandatory in those parts.
