John Muir Wilderness - Graveyard Lakes

“Looks like I'm heading up to Graveyard Lakes in August for a few nights. Anybody been there? Any tips?”

“Don't step on the stones!:) Go up to the upper lake for views of the peaks surrounding Little Lakes Valley. Pooch and I camped at the lower lake, no one around. Great view. If headed further to the Indian Lakes, get an early start, potential to be hot going up to the pass. Sorry, can't remember its name, the one just north of the GY Lakes and my maps are at home.”

“don't step on the stones? in what sense?

in my experience, getting over those high sierra passes requires plenty of boulder hopping and the dexterity of a goat

I hope and pray it'll be hot. Last year it was supposed to be nice and hot and I don't think it dropped under 40 the whole time...”

“Don't step on any stones with engraving on them.:) If you are headed further than the GY Lakes, going over the pass towards the Indian Lakes, the pass the trail goes over can be hot with its exposure, at least it is not a long ways up like Glenn. If you are XC hiking out of the upper GY lake, that will take some scrambling, but that is the way to go to the other lakes, can't recall their names now. Beetle Bug and another or two.”

“Been to the area a few times and its definately worth the trip. Camp at the lowest Graveyard if you want to have a fire as all the other lakes in the drainage are above 10,000. From there you are at a great spot to explore all the other Graveyard Lakes. From the uppermost G.Lake there is a cross country pass called silver fox. I wouldnt recommend with a full pack but for a day hike its do-able. The Graveyard side of the pass is steep but easy. The other side is steep and with lots of boulders. You can reach Peter Pande Lake, Olive Lake, Ann Lake & a couple others on this side. If you like to fish all are great.
last edited: 6/30/10 2:07:11 PM”

“Olive Lake has got to be the prettiest lake I have been to, at least in a close to average snow year. Not many folks hit those lakes so far off the JMT Highway. Someday I'll do the JMT, but I like to visit lakes.”

“I was planning on trying to get to Peter Pande lake for sure... we'll see if my buddies are up for it. One of them is recovering (says he's fully recovered) from a broken ankle... I figure those High Sierra boulder passes will be the best test for just how recovered he is...”

“There are good trails to all those lakes, it's the offtrail stuff. Like xc from Graveyard to Peter Pande to Olive etc. You can take the trail from Graveyard to the Indian Lakes area, forgot the pass name again, head NW towards Peter Pande and be on trail. Those lakes see few people, but I didn't see anyone for days until I xc out of Bighorn Lake/Issac Walton and hit the JMT below Horse Meadow?”

“as always, there's been a change of plans. We're going to head up on the eastern side, maybe humphrey's basin and maybe evolution valley. Thanks for the info though, everyone - I'm sure I'll make it to Graveyard Lakes soon enough.”