South Lake to Muir Pass in the Sierras

“This past week I started out at South Lake in the Sierras and
backpacked over Bishop Pass, down into Dusy Basin, further down into
Le Conte Canyon and then up to Muir Pass. Once I reached Muir Pass
(that's where I was hoping to get), I turned around and headed back
out. The trip was approximately 40 miles long and I thought it would
take me six days because of the two passes (Muir and Bishop), but I
ended up back at the trailhead at the end of the fourth day. I knew
I was ahead of schedule when I reached Muir Pass, but because this
was my longest backpacking trip ever I was afraid that if I went past that
point I would get too tired going back up Bishop Pass. I was wrong
because Bishop Pass wasn't too bad going back over. Now I have an
idea how many miles and how much elevation gain I can handle for
future trip planning. I think that it would be nice to have a
layover day planned in for any trip over 4 days.

My pictures were taken on the way in and going back out, but I've
tried to put them in order starting with South Lake and ending at
Muir Pass except for the last shot of Long Lake. While I was out
there they closed the John Muir Trail going South before it reaches
Mather Pass because of a fire in the Palisades. I felt bad for those
trying to go South. Seeing as I was going North on the John Muir
Trail from it's junction with the Bishop Pass Trail it worked out
fine for me. You can see the smoke in some of the pictures.

Anyway, I'll let my pictures do the trip report. Here they are:

http://community.webshots.com/album/48844678MhYjmn”

“Link

Nice pics, Wingding0 - Looks like awsome country!”

“Great photos wingding0. Nice framing on the Long Lake shots. Dusey Basin looks like a good destination.”

“Beautifull area and u took some great photos. Makes me jealous living in ohio of people that live near such great scenary.”

“But you have Buddha Bear... what more could you ask for?? tehehehe”

“Awesome pics. Interesting hike. Did you see many other people out there?”

“I wanna see that area sometime too!”

“LeConte Canyon is a beautiful area! We were glad we were going down it and not up. Did you carry your pack up to Muir Pass and turn around? Do you know anymore about the fire? Bummer for those who couldn't get thru! Your pics bring back memories of our trip last fall. Thanks!”

“I camped about 3.5 miles from Muir Pass, so I day hiked from where I camped to the pass. When I returned to camp from the pass, it was still early so I packed up and headed down to Little Pete Meadow to spend the night.

I saw a number of tents at the upper Dusy Basin Lakes, so I moved to the lower one to camp. Other than that, I didn't run into many people on the trail. The second day I saw some trail workers and one other backpacker. The closure of the John Muir Trail might have slowed the flow of traffic.

The fire was in a meadow in the Palisades area. The trail was closed north of Mather Pass on Tuesday, the 27th of August, and still closed on Friday, the 30th of August. In the mornings, Dusy Basin and Le Conte Canyon were smokey, but most of it cleared out during the day and left the afternoons fairly clear.

I'd like see about going in from the West next year to check out Evolution Valley. I can hit the hot springs on the way in and then again on the way out if I do that.”

“Great pics WingDing! That was a good idea for a 4-day trip. LeConte Canyon is one of my favorite places in the Sierras. I just read where the Palisades fire is a lightning fire they're going to let burn out naturally. Hope it doesn't burn too much, as the Palisades creek, Palisades basin area is another of my favorites.”

“Wonderful photos wingding! The very first one, "At the Beginning of the Trail" is an eyeopener. It looks like a painting. Super!”

“Thanks everyone for looking at my photos and your nice comments.”

“Oh, windging, those are beautiful photos. You took those! Just stunning.

In fact, your best yet.

Congrats on your hike!”

“I have been enjoying that first pic (of South Lake) all week as my desktop wallpaper...can't wait to go there! Two weeks and counting down!!!!!”