Jennie Lakes Wilderness Trip

“We had a great time on our trip to the Jennie Lakes Wilderness with
Hikerchic5 and Obi Wan Canoli ! Thanks for your hospitality!!!

Photos and trip report coming soon !”

“Yep! Awesome views, good company, beautiful lakes, good challenging hike for my first bp trip!

Hey wind walker or Obi, are either of you going to do a trip report?”

“Go for it Hikerchic5
let's hear your trip report!”

“The Pics are in... but not posted.

Trip report:

I scooted outa here early Friday morning, heading to Stockton to pick up Hikerchic. The ride would take an hour & 20, and I wanted to get an early start. I was betting HC would be hungry, and so, after picking her up and loading her gear, we headed to breakfast, and a hearty one at that. Relaxing for an hour at Denny's, it gave us both a chance to get to know eachother, and talk about the hike, and the hobby in general.

I took some pics from the Llama hike to share with HC, and it served the purpose of whetting her appetite, methinks, for a similar venture. Enough said, we both looked forward to exploring Jennie Lakes, and three hours later, we crossed the entrance to Kings Canyon.

I love this place. HC had never been there, so I thought a slight detour would be nice, and headed toward Road's End and Cedar Grove. We had originally planned to meet up with Wind Walker & Co. around 3, and having arrived at SeKi about 2:20, I knew we'd be late if we went to Cedar Grove. It's an awesome, majestic view as one sails into the Canyon, sinking gradually lower and deeper as we round each carefully hewn curve around the canyon walls. Had it not been so smokey from various fires some distance away, the view would have been substantially more stellar. Nevertheless, it was breathtaking to be there once more...

As we rode up the foothills toward SeKi, there were Forestry officials, road camps, fire HQ's and equipment periodically sprinkled along the roads. Helicopters carrying water and retardent occasionally flew overhead as white smoke painted the sky in a hazy fog. It began to clear somewhat as we made our way to the canyon floor, passing Boyden Caves and riding along a now trickling Millde Fork of the Kings River. Covered with boulders from basketball size to garage size, most were dry all the way down to about their bottom foot or so. The water levels having dropped precipitously as the season waned, I've seen it in early season when no boulders could be seen at all... the water, churning like a violent washing machine, could only folow the rolling, unorganized contours of the terrain underneath, and unseen. It seemed strangely revealing to see the "other" skewed end of the water's temper. This time, she was soft, gentle, peaceful. Her strength had left now, and there was only sleep to be had. Worry not, though, for Winter comes soon, and then the Spring. Thunder rolls perenially, and I'll come back.

We decided to cut short the ride to Roads End, did a 180, and headed back up and out the canyon. The ride in and back would take nearly two hours, and it was a bit after 4 p.m. when we arrived at Big Meadows trailhead. Finding a note from Wind Walker that they had arrived much earlier, and would meet us at Weaver Lake 3+ miles in, we donned our gear, and off we went.

I can only imagine what Hikerchic was thinking as she looked around her, knowing this brand new experience was full of unexpected moments. The hike in was mostly up, and we took frequent rests to acclimate, and catch our breath. By 7, we arrived to a waiting Wind Walker and Co., who were keeping a watchful eye for us as we arrived tired, hungry, but glad to see friendly faces.

In fact, there were about 45 friendly faces - two groups of boy scouts behind us, and another in front on the west side of the lake. But they were pretty quiet, and not a bother. The whole area is sprinkled with rocks and boulders of all sizes, and so, most of us were pretty well hidden from the others.

I'd heard and read a lot about Weaver Lake, all good things. And as beautiful as the lake was - and the surrounding geography - the place was a mess. It's so close to the road and trailhead that it attracts what must be a huge contingent of "What-the-Hell-is-Leave-No-Trace?" thinkers. There was tissue all over, exposed, tin cans, broken glass, trash in the fire pits, and several piles of horses**t within 15 feet of the water's edge. What are these people THINKING? One of the scout leaders walked up to me as I was beginning to filter some water, and asked if it was MY group that he found washing dishes in a nearby stream!

Pretty as it was in many respects, I wasn't sad to leave the next morning, and make our way to Jennie Lake. Until then, I would pacify myself with the view of the night sky, where I couldn't remember seeing so many stars in one night sky. It was awesome, with a brightly lit half-moon shimmering in the smooth, ripple-less water. The bugs were hovering in clouds over the glass-like surface, the occasional trout bounding from beneath to seek its evening meal. I didn't sleep much that night, and with each time I awoke, I could only stare at the sky through no-see-um netting of my tent, and on a few occasions, had to venture out for an unobstructed and lengthy view.

By morning, I was ready, and after we all finished breakfast - Michael, sons Joshua and Nate, along with friend Mike, myself, and Hikerchic began our trek toward Jennie Lake. It was about 7 miles - a reasonable hike - and I wanted to get going. I wanted to explore.

I'm a slower hiker, and it wasn't long before these kids - with substantially more energy than me, evidently - were soon out of sight. Wind Walker, too, was making good time, and before long, HC and I were picking up the rear once more. We hiked most of that day by ourselves, stopping frequently on the uphills to catch our breath, but steadily making decent distance. At one point, it was time to take a longer break, snack and drink liesurely in the shade. But it wasn't long before I began to feel ill. I guessed I might be experiencing altitude sickness, and soon I informed Hikerchic that I needed to off the pack, and get horizontal. Maybe take a short nap, since I was slightly sleep-deprived the night before. After an hour, I was feeling much better, and we renewed our trek toward Jennie Lake.

We arrived at Jennie about 5:30. Wind Walker was, once more, keeping a sharp eye out for us, and had secured a very nice camp next to the lake, and close to the trail. We were soon followed by a 15+ group of college kids from L.A., and there were many others camped in the area, but they weren't a bother, were well hidden from view, and we found the site awesome, peaceful - and clean. Jennie Lake was clean, pristine, and beautiful - none of which fully describe the true view. We toured around, although it wasn't a huge lake, it was larger than Weaver, and shapped somewhat like a kidney bean backed up against a huge granite wall. The water was clear, shallow, and the fish could no doubt see you coming for 100 feet. We relaxed, had dinner, bs'd around a campfire, and by 10, everyone was bedded down for the night. HC was effervescent, but I guessed she was pretty tired and sore from the hike thus far. She didn't show it, but it was clear she was going to enjoy the rest.

The next morning - Sunday - was sleep-in time for everyone (almost). I was up at 6, Wind Walker shortley thereafter, and everyone else waited until 8:30 or so. It was going to be an easy hike out, about 6 miles, mostly downhill. It would take us about 3 hours, so we weren't in a great hurry anyway. The smoke had cleared up a lot, and the views into Sequoia to the South, and Kings Canyon to the North and East were awesome, spectacular, and made me feel I was walking once more in my own backyard. I was home again.

We reached the trailhead about 2, and before too long, Hikerchic and I had bid farewell to Michael, Nate, Joshua, and Mike, with hopes that we would all remember well this experience, and that we met and made new friends. I've been able to add a few new names to the list of those TT'rs I've met, and look forwrd to another opportunity to share another backpacking experience.”

“Sounds like a great trip Obi. Nice report. Great writing! :-)”

“Neat report. Thanks!”

“Nicely writted. I'm looking forward to pictures!”

“Nice report OWC !!!
I agree the night sky was a wonder to behold!”

“I've finished uploading the pics to Phil, and with luck, we'll have the chance to see them in the next few days.

Thanks, phil, this must take you a lot of time, and I know everyone here appreciates that. Kudos to you!”

“Enjoyed the report a lot, obi. Thanks.”

“Obi - I received some llama hike photos from you today, but did you send some Jennie Lakes pictures also? Just wondering.”

“Cool trip report Obi Wan, I loved the way you painted it.

Thanks for sharing that!”

“Phil, I haven't scanned the Jennie Lakes pics yet. Thus, I have not sent any to you... but the one above from W.W. sure brings back memories!”

“OK. I just got your llama photo album uploaded.”

“I have one roll of film partially scanned
here are some pics from Weaver Lake...
Weaver Lake

Should have the Jennie Lake pics and group pics next week.”

“I have one roll of film partially scanned
here are some pics from Weaver Lake...
Weaver Lake

Should have the Jennie Lake pics and group pics next week.”

“Sorry 'bout that...
Weaver Lake”

“Sorry 'bout that...
Weaver Lake”

“dang hyper mouse!”