2. Nature

Grand Summer Hike 2010

A somewhat-blurry gallery of photos from my GSH in Sequoia National Park July 30 - August 7. My route was from Mineral King over Farewell Gap, over to the Shotgun Creek drainage and then cross-country into Laurel Basin, an in-depth exploration of Laurel Basin and then exiting north to Rattlesnake Creek, descending into Kern Canyon. From there I passed by Kern Hot Spring, went up the Canyon to the Colby Pass trail, went into the upper reaches of the Kern Kaweah River drainage, tried to get into the Picket Creek basin (intending to continue into Kaweah Basin) but turned back as I didn't find a safe route. I returned via Kern Canyon, Sky Parlor Meadow, Moraine Lake, Little Five & Big Five Lakes, and Sawtooth Pass. Amazing trip!
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  • My Canon A1100IS had a problem. Many of the images in this photo gallery are blurry on the right side (when horizontal) or top (when vertical.) Thus I've made the max resolution to view photos as XL. The camera was found to be unfixable and was replaced. Still, an outstanding hike! This photo: Sawtooth Peak and Pass from Mineral King Road.

    My Canon A1100IS had a problem. Many of the images in this photo gallery are blurry on the right side (when horizontal) or top (when vertical.) Thus I've made the max resolution to view photos as XL. The camera was found to be unfixable and was replaced. Still, an outstanding hike! This photo: Sawtooth Peak and Pass from Mineral King Road.

  • Roadside flowers in late-evening light.

    Roadside flowers in late-evening light.

  • My Element parked at the trailhead near where the old Mineral King Store used to be.

    My Element parked at the trailhead near where the old Mineral King Store used to be.

  • Looking south towards Farewell Gap in early morning. I'd forgotten to reset the clock in my camera so the next few photos have a time-stamp one hour earlier than actual PDT; this one says 7:27 AM, but it was actually 8:27 AM. I look forward to the eradication of time-changes every six months! Some day...

    Looking south towards Farewell Gap in early morning. I'd forgotten to reset the clock in my camera so the next few photos have a time-stamp one hour earlier than actual PDT; this one says 7:27 AM, but it was actually 8:27 AM. I look forward to the eradication of time-changes every six months! Some day...

  • Early-morning light along the Franklin Lakes-Farewell Gap trail. Bearskin patch snowfield still prominent on Vandever Mt.

    Early-morning light along the Franklin Lakes-Farewell Gap trail. Bearskin patch snowfield still prominent on Vandever Mt.

  • Farewell Gap, and Vandever Mt. on right.

    Farewell Gap, and Vandever Mt. on right.

  • Lupine.

    Lupine.

  • Looking back to north, with Timber Gap at upper right.

    Looking back to north, with Timber Gap at upper right.

  • Early-morning light on the trail. This was actually a dirt road in the 1960s, thus the width.

    Early-morning light on the trail. This was actually a dirt road in the 1960s, thus the width.

  • One of several momma grouse I saw on this hike. My outdoor senses were not attuned yet, so I did not notice (and almost stepped on) the chick she was calling to as I walked slowly towards her to get a closer photo.

    One of several momma grouse I saw on this hike. My outdoor senses were not attuned yet, so I did not notice (and almost stepped on) the chick she was calling to as I walked slowly towards her to get a closer photo.

  • Marmot sunning on rock.

    Marmot sunning on rock.

  • Same marmot. This one was quite golden in color; they're oftentimes more tan in color and less showy.

    Same marmot. This one was quite golden in color; they're oftentimes more tan in color and less showy.

  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Franklin Creek crossing. The creek was high enough that I didn't even try to rock-hop, and just waded across (removing socks and insoles, then putting shoes back on.) Hiking poles are VERY handy for such crossings.

    Franklin Creek crossing. The creek was high enough that I didn't even try to rock-hop, and just waded across (removing socks and insoles, then putting shoes back on.) Hiking poles are VERY handy for such crossings.

  • Flowers and juniper above Franklin creek, after crossing.

    Flowers and juniper above Franklin creek, after crossing.

  • With all the late-season snow in 2010, the creeks were still high and the flowers quite prolific. Many areas where I walked on this hike had similar or greater densities of flowers.

    With all the late-season snow in 2010, the creeks were still high and the flowers quite prolific. Many areas where I walked on this hike had similar or greater densities of flowers.

  • LOTS of flowers of many species.

    LOTS of flowers of many species.

  • Cascades of Franklin Creek. Noisy!

    Cascades of Franklin Creek. Noisy!

  • The view looking back north towards the trailhead after crossing Franklin Creek; Timber Gap at upper right.

    The view looking back north towards the trailhead after crossing Franklin Creek; Timber Gap at upper right.

  • Another momma grouse, this one on a fallen log. Her chicks were in the nearby bushes. Lots of peeping (chicks) and trilling (momma.)

    Another momma grouse, this one on a fallen log. Her chicks were in the nearby bushes. Lots of peeping (chicks) and trilling (momma.)

  • Another shot of momma grouse. They're very tolerant as long as you're quiet and move slowly.

    Another shot of momma grouse. They're very tolerant as long as you're quiet and move slowly.

  • Looking south towards Farewell Gap, just a few hundred yards before the Farewell Gap Trail splits off from the Franklin Lakes and Pass trail.

    Looking south towards Farewell Gap, just a few hundred yards before the Farewell Gap Trail splits off from the Franklin Lakes and Pass trail.

  • Climbing, climbing. Looking north back to trailhead in valley below. Peaks north are peeking up over Timber Gap.

    Climbing, climbing. Looking north back to trailhead in valley below. Peaks north are peeking up over Timber Gap.

  • On the Farewell Gap trail. Vandever Mountain in distance; it's a class-1 slog from Farewell Gap.

    On the Farewell Gap trail. Vandever Mountain in distance; it's a class-1 slog from Farewell Gap.

  • Higher still. Remnant snow below. In most years the snow is gone by June, but this year had a late winter so there was still residual snow in late July.

    Higher still. Remnant snow below. In most years the snow is gone by June, but this year had a late winter so there was still residual snow in late July.

  • A small trailside freshet (I love that word!) DAMN good water! And cold!

    A small trailside freshet (I love that word!) DAMN good water! And cold!

  • Even higher, and photos perhaps a bit blurrier still. Pesky camera…

    Even higher, and photos perhaps a bit blurrier still. Pesky camera…

  • Cloud shadows. Looking north.

    Cloud shadows. Looking north.

  • Buck deer with large rack of antlers in velvet, doing its best cow imitation, munching unconcerned.

    Buck deer with large rack of antlers in velvet, doing its best cow imitation, munching unconcerned.

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