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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
For those who missed the first installment of the Sierra adventure, it's here Ansel Adams Wilderness
The end part of the trip to the Sierras was in the giant Sequoias here: Calveras Big Trees State Park
Day 6 - North Peak (12,242)
Distance: 9 miles – 6 hours RT
Gain: 2400'
Now for some more adventure. We left Mammoth early on Thurs. Aug. 14 to see if we could score a campsite at Saddlebag Lake on the Northeast corner of Yosemite (just barely in the park). Loaded up with Aleve and my tennis ball (for shoulder pain relief), off we went. You turn off of Hwy 120 (Sonora Hwy) about 9 miles from Lee Vining. We got lucky and found a campsite and laid claim to it. Two people pulled in at the campsite right next to us and ironically, they too were headed for North Peak. Tim (one of the two) said that he had done North Peak 14 years earlier and asked us what route we were going to take. I told him that our friend had said there was a Class 2, easy scramble Ragman's trip in 2012 and that's what we were aiming for. Tim looked doubtful - and skeptical about whether or not we knew what we were doing! Tim says, "Hmmm, it's at least Class 3 and 4." Hmm, Roger usually isn't wrong about these kinds of things and posts such great, descriptive trip reports. Maybe the California Class 3/4 is the new Washington Class 2! Undeterred, off we headed at the alpine start of 11:00 a.m. or so!
As Ragman indicates in his report, there are two ways to get up-lake towards North Peak. You can take the shuttle that leaves on the half-hour (runs 7 am – 6:30 pm, I think), or walk the mile or so along the west side of the lake – not a bad walk. We chose to do that both ways – adds a little mileage.
Just as we were getting to the end of Saddlebag Lake, Tim and his hiking partner, Evie, passed us at a good clip on a mission for North Peak. Good, we thought. We can see what route they are taking. They breezed on by.
There are bootpaths from Saddlebag to Greenstone Lake and at least to the first of the Conness Lakes. Keep going, it’s the next Conness Lake that you want to pay attention to and head towards the western end where the waterfall is and Mount Conness is behind and then head diagonally towards the ridge between Conness and North – this is what we DIDN’T do. Oh no, we watched Tim and Evie, who actually headed more west/northwest directly toward North Peak. We had talked with him about the gendarmes and where one should access the ridge in relationship to those – we thought for sure Tim had said to the left (west) and straight up the main couloir. Hmmm, really? And then, we lost sight of them – we were on our own! So, we looked at the route of least difficulty (so we thought) and up we went. Reaching a shelf, and then continuing up the steep couloir on the south face of North Peak (trust me, that does make sense). When we were about ½ the way up this, I could see Tim above the large gendarme – they must have come up the east side of it. They then disappeared again.
Meanwhile we are trying to decide if we go on the west side of the couloir – which Tim claimed to be the best route down because there is loose, sandy/gravel stuff to somewhat plunge in – but not a good route up because you don’t get good footing – or whether to go up more on the east side of the couloir, where there are a lot of boulders. We opted for the east side – at first. OMG, we got ourselves into some nasty stuff. Even though it seemed the ridge we were aiming for was in sight, it would turn out that we really had even more awful stuff to attack if we wanted to gain the ridge from this side – easily Class 4. So, some sanity prevailed, and we agreed to down-climb and head over to the west side and take our chances on the route that Tim told us not to take. It looked like there was “sorta” a boot path that zig-zagged up some ledges to the ridge – at least it looked more promising. And, it was. With a whole lot less effort – but none-the-less NO CLASS 2(!) – we were on the ridge.
Once there, it was like a huge plateau. We looked further to the west on this plateau and looked at what appeared to be a potential route down. We would investigate on our return. To the east was the summit block of North Peak – piece ‘o cake – hands-in-your-pockets, by comparison! So, up we headed. Still no sign of Tim and Evie. And, then, just as we were about to hit the summit – BINGO – up pops Tim from the east side of the summit. Evie would follow a few minutes later. Looking down, it wasn’t a route I would have wanted to take! And, you know what, we ALL got to the summit. I think Tim was a bit surprised that we made it before they did.
There was a summit register – and we all signed it. It had been placed after Ragman made the summit, so there was no entry for him. Of course, we did the obligatory take each other’s pictures/summit shot routine. We had a nice chat with Tim and Evie – Tim was very clear to inform me that he and Evie ARE NOT an item/couple, that they are just very good hiking friends and are quite comfortable hiking with one another, having similar skills and interests. I assured him that I totally understood about hiking “friends.” They both live close to the Yosemite area – he in Topaz Lake and Evie in Fallon, NV. We decided to move off of the summit to eat lunch out of the wind. After a bit, we headed down before they did, deciding to take Ragman’s route down, if we could find it. And, sure enough, we did find a very definite boot path! And once back down at the 2nd Conness Lake, could easily see where we SHOULD have gone. We wound our way down and across the fabulous granite slabs back to the way we had gone up from Conness #1. We toyed with the idea of taking the boat shuttle back down-lake, but it was just pulling away and we had about a ¼ mile to go to get to it . . . the lakeshore trail was fine. As we approached the dam again, who should be right on our heels but Tim and Evie! They had taken our up route down and there was complaining about it being a bit dicey (what? We thought it was simple compared to what we first attempted!)
With my shoulder still throbbing, I spent a less-than-restful night in the car in an upright position to take some pressure off of it.
Caught this while driving from Lee Vining to Saddlebag Lake Boot Hill of Saddlebag Lake! Dam that we crossed to get to the westside trail along Saddlebag Lake Trail on the west side of Saddlebag lake - our destination, North Peak, ahead Looking back towards Saddlebag Lake North Peak ahead Looking up at Mt. Conness on the left More views from our route up to North Splendid view on our way up Conness Lake #2 Lots of lakes and tarns between Conness and North Our ledges route up to the ridge Once on the ridge - looking up at North Peak summit 20-Lake Basin below North Peak to the northeast More views from North's summit Fabulous views from the summit of North Looking over the broad North Peak ridge - Lake Roosevelt below Tim and Evie - our summit-mates on North Peak. They are just good hiking friends! On the top of 12,200+ North Peak in the NE corner of Yosemite North Peak summit Heading back down to the Conness lakes from North Peak ridge Looking straight up to Mt. Conness - classic Sierras Upper North Peak ridge Steep down-climb Waterfall from a distance Waterfalls at the inlet of the Conness Lake where you would head up to the North Peak ridge Ahh youth, ready to jump into the glacial lakes One of the many Conness lakes More granite That wonderful Yosemite granite A bundle of fish from Saddlebag Lake
Day 7 – Clouds Rest (9926’)
Distance: 15 miles – 6.5 hours RT
Gain: ~2400’
Next morning, we were up early to head to the heart of Yosemite and a hike up Clouds Rest – it would be about 15 miles roundtrip, but at least we only were carrying daypacks. Even at 9:00 a.m. it already was starting to heat up. Didn’t really see too many people on the trail – we passed a few. The route is up and down, gaining about 2200’ when all is said and done. Not much to say about the trail – it wanders through the trees a lot until you break out onto the final ridge – that’s where we began to see the hordes of people (both coming and going). Unlike so much of our hiking the previous 6 days, this trail is a virtual highway right from the beginning.
You actually can keep going on the trail and wind up near the base of Half Dome – and some people were doing that with full overnight packs. The foot path to the summit is really cool – like a series of steps up a somewhat narrow ridge with drop-offs.
Once on the summit, we were with lots of other folks – but it truly is worth it, since you get such a spectacular view of Yosemite. Fortunately, the skies were pretty clear and there was only small evidence of the fire on the west side of the park.
After a nice lunch and soaking in the sun, we headed back down. Pretty uneventful until about midway on our return. Barry was ahead of me and stopped to say “Wow, there’s a jack rabbit headed right at us.” Before I could get my camera out, that little sucker zoomed past the two of us as if we weren’t even there. I figured something was after it. We continued on and came upon these two guys who had been ahead of us down the trail. We asked if they had seen the rabbit and they said no, but that they had just seen a coyote! A-Ha! Mystery solved. We got back to the car and decided to head back to Tuolumne Meadows to the store/deli and grab a snack – it was mighty toasty by now. The big question was whether to try and find an available campsite in Yosemite or on the west side – or press on to Angels Camp. We soon discovered that all of the campgrounds were, indeed, full – and then on the west side of the park, there was so much destruction from the 2013 fires, nothing was going to be very appealing. I was shocked at how burned out the area was – didn’t look a thing like it did in 2012. We got to Angels Camp only to find that just about every room nearby was booked for a ZZ Top/Jeff Beck concert in Murphys. Who know (a) that there was a concert venue in Murphys (at a winery); and (b) that that many people would actually still go to a ZZ Top concert! Anyway, found a place to stay – it was getting late. The next day we would head to the Sequoias before driving back to Sacramento. Great trip! There’s still plenty left to do in the Sierras!
The trail to Clouds Rest actually starts out paved! Trail markers don't necessarily agree on the distance of our route Looking at our destination - Clouds Rest from near the trailhead Trail to Clouds Rest is a virtual highway! How novel, a trail! We haven't seen too many of those on this trip. Trail marker for the foot trail to Clouds Rest Lots o' folks on the summit of Clouds Rest Possibly Matterhorn from the summit of Clouds Rest Views from Clouds Rest Can't seem to get away from the season of forest fires in the mountains - this on the SW side of Yosemite Half Dome WooHoo - 9926 summit of Clouds Rest Pretty decent views from Clouds Rest Heading down from Clouds Rest Skateboarding the Yosemite grainite
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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goinbigg17 Member
Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 221 | TRs | Pics Location: Kent/Covington |
Great looking trip! Oh how I want to go back and explore more of Yosemite and the Saddlebag area!
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ree Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 4399 | TRs | Pics
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ree
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Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:17 pm
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olderthanIusedtobe Member
Joined: 05 Sep 2011 Posts: 7687 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
Looks like some slabby goodness and lots of nice lakes. I've been to Saddlebag but haven't hiked beyond it. Apparently I should. Clouds Rest is a good outing, great overview of The Valley.
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Middle E no more moustache
Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 432 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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Middle E
no more moustache
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Mon Sep 01, 2014 9:34 am
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This was my first visit to Yosemite. Sure, I've seen plenty of pictures, but it's not the same as being there and feeling the granite underneath your feet. Without any snow, it actually looks kind of barren, but I'm sure that would have been different a month or two ago. A Friday/Saturday in mid-August is not the time to find solitude inside or near the park!
Some pics from North Pk.
Saddlebag Lake and resort North Peak ahead Ascending through granite North Peak Looking down on lower Conness Lake "Hands in pockets" near the summit of North Pk. Looking north from North Pk. (20 Lakes Basin on the right) From North Pk. Conness Mn. from North Pk. Conness Mtn. on the descent route Tarn below Conness Mtn. Cascade into Conness Lake The easy route up North Pk. (not our route!) Lower Conness Lake on the return
Some pics from Clouds Rest
Starting toward Clouds Rest Half Dome! Granite ocean from Clouds Rest From Clouds Rest Narrow route to Clouds Rest Clouds Rest in the distance
pithy yet insightful signature
pithy yet insightful signature
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BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
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BarbE
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Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:13 am
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Sadie's Driver wrote: | On the top of 12,200+ North Peak in the NE corner of Yosemite |
Nice matching outfits! Unlike your fellow hikers you must be a couple
Great trip! Glad you found the safer Ragman route on your descent.
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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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Roly Poly Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2013 Posts: 711 | TRs | Pics
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Sierra scrambling is tougher than it looks, . I always got the feeling that some huge boulder was going to come down on me.
So, which hotel did you stay at in Mammoth Lakes?
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whitebark Member
Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 1864 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
Interesting hike to North Peak! It looks like the Conness Glacier, the northernmost named glacier in the Sierra, has almost melted away, but it is still managing to tint some of the lakes with rock milk.
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