JMT Section Hike 9 days 8 nights 2017 : Part 3
Day 5: Camp 4 – Upper Basin – Mother Pass – Palisade Lakes – Camp 5
The morning of the fifth day arrived. This day was the first cloudy day on this trip. I feel better when it's sunny, but the sunlight during the day is relentlessly strong. Even when I need a short break, I run into the shade of a tree without hesitation. So, if it gets cloudy every now and then, that's a blessing.
As usual, I boiled water, drank coffee, and had a light breakfast.
Today's pass is Mother Pass. Almost every day there is a mountain pass with an altitude of over 3,500-3,600m, but by the fifth day I had gotten used to it and was able to do it without difficulty as if it were part of my daily routine. Enjoying the spectacular views of the JMT, you just take one step at a time and before you know it, you're standing at the peak of the pass, looking out at the grandeur of a new horizon.
In summer in mountainous regions, even if the weather is sunny in the morning, clouds often appear in the afternoon and thunderstorms occur.This phenomenon also applies here in California's High Sierra. Therefore, even when walking a route like the JMT, camp the day before a mountain pass, cross the high-altitude mountain pass in the morning of the next day, and camp just before the next mountain pass before sunset. , I realized that the rhythm was good.
From Camp 4, cross the South Fork Kings River and gain elevation along the headwaters of the Kings River. The mountain formations in this headwater area are also spectacular, making it irresistible for fly fishers. However, because I had to concentrate on walking during my limited schedule, my time for fishing was quite limited, and I didn't take out my rod in this area again this time.
The South Fork Kings River has a spectacular view that will make you want to take out your rod.
In summer in mountainous regions, even if the weather is sunny in the morning, clouds often appear in the afternoon and thunderstorms occur.This phenomenon also applies here in California's High Sierra. Therefore, even when walking a route like the JMT, camp the day before a mountain pass, cross the high-altitude mountain pass in the morning of the next day, and camp just before the next mountain pass before sunset. , I realized that the rhythm was good.
From Camp 4, cross the South Fork Kings River and gain elevation along the headwaters of the Kings River. The mountain formations in this headwater area are also spectacular, making it irresistible for fly fishers. However, because I had to concentrate on walking during my limited schedule, my time for fishing was quite limited, and I didn't take out my rod in this area again this time. Eventually the trail reaches a vast area called the Upper Basin. "Basin" means a river basin or basin, but this is the headwaters of the vast fan-shaped South Fork Kings River. On the right are mountains over 4,000m such as Cardinal Mountain (4,083 m / 13,396 ft) , Split Mountain (4,284 m / 14,058 ft) , and Mount Bolton Brown (4,112 m / 13,491 ft), and on the left Vennacher Needle (3960 m / 12995 ft) is a series of peaks. In front of you you can see Mother Pass (3,688m / 12,100ft), which you are about to cross. It's a magnificent sight.
Upper Basin
Jason on the Upper Basin trail. Mother Pass can be seen in the background.
Looking west of the Upper Basin
As you rise further in altitude, Mother Pass appears in front of you. To reach Mother Pass, go around to the right from the Upper Basin and traverse the cone-shaped slope. Since the altitude is over 3,600m, you will have to cross several snowy valleys. It looks like we can climb it in a straight line with the shortest distance, but there's a lot of snow accumulated at the bottom of the mortar-shaped bowl. Perhaps for this reason, the trail makes a large detour, climbing up the slope in an arc while slowly gaining elevation.
Mother Pass distant view
Looking down towards the Upper Basin from the snowy valley of Mother Pass.
Traverse the cone-shaped slope to Mother Pass.
Mother Pass trail
I climbed the final stretch and reached the top of Mother Pass. You can see a series of steep, saw-blade-like peaks over 4,000 meters high, stretching from Middle Palisade in the foreground on the right to North Palisade in the back, towering beside Palisade Lakes.
A rocky ridge line on the west side of Mother Pass.
A new horizon seen from Mother Pass.
At the top of Mother Pass, we took a short break while admiring the scenery. The trail continues its switchbacks as it descends toward Palisade Lakes.
I stopped many times in front of the view of the towering peaks on the side of Palisade Lakes, looked up at this rare and magnificent view, and realized once again how wonderful the JMT is, and I am so glad that I was able to visit here.
Jason follows the trail descending towards Palisade Lakes.
Follow the trail descending towards Palisade Lakes.
Palisade Lakes
The trail winds alongside Palisade Lakes. Beyond Palisade Lakes, the valley becomes a valley along a mountain stream formed by Palisade Creek, which has its source in the lake.
Palisade Creek flows from Palisade Lakes
Palisade Creek
As we lowered the altitude, the trail, which had always been a rocky ridge, became mixed with forest. In the strong sunlight, the shade of the trees is a blessing.
On the way, we reached an area called Deer Meadow, and as the name suggests, we encountered several deer.
The trail follows the Palisade Creek valley for a while before joining the Middle Fork Kings River. The trail then continues through an area called Grouse Meadows along the Middle Fork Kings River.
Today's trail was mainly downhill along the valley, and tomorrow we had to cross a mountain pass (Muir Pass) with a difference in elevation of over 1,000m, so I wanted to gain as much distance as possible, so I continued walking until sunset. I decided to call it Camp 5 for good measure. Today's walking distance was approximately 31km, or 19.2miles.
Day 6 : Camp 5 – Le Conte- Big Pete Meadow – Muir Pass – Wanda Lake Camp 6
Yesterday we continued walking until it got dark and ended up camping.
This morning I woke up in my tent to the feeling of something moving outside. Maybe a bear? . For a bear, there was little sign or smell of the animal, but when I looked a little nervous, I quietly peeked outside the tent and saw a deer right in front of me. Well, I'm glad it's a deer.
We made coffee, had breakfast, and packed to start day 6. Yesterday it was a bit cloudy and there was some rain on the mountain pass, but today is a complete change from yesterday and the weather is nice and I'm in a good mood.
After walking about 1 km from Camp 6, you will reach an area called Le Conte, where there is a junction with the Bishop Pass Trail where there is a ranger station. The Bishop Pass Trail is a popular trail for people doing section hikes on the JMT and connects to South Lake, where there is also a shuttle. There are quite a lot of hikers coming and going to JMT from here.
The trail follows a canyon called Le Conte Canyon along the Middle Fork Kings River .
A deer appeared at Camp 6.
Bishop Pass Trail Junction
Along Le Conte Canyon, we pass Little Pete Meadow and Big Pete Meadow, gradually gaining altitude.
Langille Peak seen from Little Pete Meadow
Le Conte Canyon
Le Conte Canyon
When the weather is sunny, the sunlight during the day can be painfully strong.
After a while, the terrain becomes steeper and the trail climbs up with many switchbacks. From this point on, the river flow becomes more dynamic.
Le Conte Canyon
Le Conte Canyon
Le Conte Canyon
A special feature of the JMT this year in 2017 was that there was a lot of snow and the snow continued to melt until late, so as I heard from many other hikers, we were able to see many flowers that were normally out of season for this time of year. Ta.
Out-of-season flowers were seen everywhere.
The Middle Fork Kings River flows through Le Conte Canyon with clear water.
The trail gradually rises in elevation, passing several large and small lakes before reaching the almost headwaters of the Middle Fork Kings River.
Unknown Lake
Middle Fork Kings River Headwaters
From the trail, you can begin to see the impressive Black Divide, a folding screen-like rock ridge with a main ridge called Black Giant.
Black Divide and Black Giant (back)
Snowy valley and Helen Lake
Looking back at the Black Divide from the snowy valley
As we continue to gain altitude and climb directly up the last snowy valley, we arrive at the famous stone-built Muir Pass Hut.
Climb directly up the last snowy valley of Muir Pass
Muir Pass Hut
We reached today's Tennozan, Muir Pass (3,644 m=11,955 ft), and took a short break.
Muir Hut is a monument that symbolizes JMT, so I am deeply moved by it. Looking ahead, the view of Evolution Basin with Wanda Lake and Mt. McGee towering in the distance is breathtaking.
Thick gray clouds are rising to the southeast. Occasionally, distant thunder could be heard.
At Muir Pass Hut
Nameplate inside Muir Hut
Looking back in the direction you came from Muir Pass
Looking towards Evolution Basin from Muir Pass
Clouds and distant thunder were approaching, so I decided to hurry ahead. This area is called the Evolution region and runs from Evolution Basin to Evolution Valley. First, we passed Lake McDermand on the right, then Wanda Lake on the left, and then Mount Darwin and Mount Mendel, known as the Grandfathers of this Evolution region, came into view. This Evolution region is a dynamic landscape that can be said to be the highlight of this trip.
Wanda Lake
A view from Evolution Basin to Evolution Valley. The mountain with a flat top in the middle of the ridge is Mt. Darwin.
After walking for a while, we set up Camp 6 before sunset. It was a long day.
Khufu HB at Camp6
thermal base layer
In the High Sierra in summer, there is a huge difference in temperature between day and night. During the day, the sun's rays are strong and unrelenting, but at high altitudes, when the sun goes down, the temperature drops quickly, sometimes dropping to around 0 degrees Celsius by dawn. When I'm out and about, I'm wearing a thin synthetic base layer called Patagonia's Capilene, but for this trip, at night, I'm wearing a thick thermal-weight long-sleeve layer made from Patagonia's Polartec Power Grid. I decided to change into bottoms and go to sleep.
On a long hiking trip like this one, which lasted more than a week, it is very important to get enough sleep to recover your physical strength. Since I spend a third of the day sleeping while hiking, I felt that this thermal base layer plays a very important role in helping me spend that time comfortably.
I usually don't change my clothes when going to bed because I don't want to increase the weight of my pack when I go on an overnight or short hike, but I decided to try one for the first time this time, considering the balance between the specs and weight of the sleeping bag and the comfort while sleeping. I tried it out, and the results were very comfortable. Reducing the weight of packing is a big factor, but the comfort of only 260g for the top and bottom is also worth it.
JMT Section Hike 9 days 8 nights 2017 : Continued from Part 4 →