Gardiner Basin Loop Tour with Rae Lakes. I am posting this trip to gauge interest from the club, please add your name to the waiting list if you want to join. Potential attendees will be screened and manually added based on experience and history with the group.
This trip passes through some of the most beautiful parts of the Sierras including Rae Lakes. The loop will take us from Onion Valley over Kearsarge pass and across the PCT to Charlotte Lake, then over Gardiner Pass into Gardiner basin, then turning eastward to cross into Sixty Lakes Basin, rejoin the PCT north of Rae Lakes, follow the PCT south through Rae Lakes and then back to Onion Valley.
THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER TRIP. The majority of the trip is an off-the-maintained-trail-system loop requiring navigational skills. It is also high altitude, starting at Onion Valley (9200) and going up from there. We will cross 5 high passes (Kearsarge (11,800), Gardiner (11,200), Sixty Lakes Col (11,700), Glen Pass (11,900), and then Kearsarge again) over 5 days. Sixty Lakes Col is a class 2 scramble. Daily mileage is around 8 – 12 miles per day, shorter while in the basin to allow side trips. Bear barrels are required. Previous backpacking experience in the Sierras a must, preferably recently as altitude acclimatization is required.
Itinerary:
Sunday Sept 15th – drive to Onion Valley (approximately 7 hours drive from San Diego), camp at Grays Meadow Campground (car camp, on road up to Onion Valley Trailhead)
Monday Sept 16th – Enter wilderness via Onion Valley Trailhead, over Kearsarge Pass to Charlotte Lake. From start at Onion Valley (9200′) over Kearsarge pass (11,800) 8.3 miles, elevation gain/loss 2745/1539
Tuesday Sept 17th – Over Gardiner pass into Gardiner basin, camp in the basin. From start at Charlotte Lake (10400′) over Gardiner pass (11,262) and descend to Gardiner Creek (8900) 6.6 miles, elevation gain/loss 1757/3122. Should have time to explore Gardiner Basin after setting camp.
Wednesday Sept 18th – From Gardiner creek (8900) follow the creek upstream to lake 11407, then over Sixty Lakes Col (11,732) and descend into Sixty Lakes Basin to camp there. 6.8 miles, elevation gain/loss 2800/1270. Short mileage as the climb over the col may be challenging.
Thursday Sept 19th – From Sixty Lakes Basin (10630) over Arrowhead Gap (also noted as basin notch on some maps) to rejoin PCT north of Rae lakes at Arrowhead lake, proceed south through Rae lakes and over Glen Pass (11991) to camp at Kearsarge Lakes. 10.7 miles, , elevation gain/loss 2672/2304
Friday Sept 20th – Back to Onion Valley Trailhead. 5.7 mi, over Kearsarge pass (11818) and down to parking lot (9200). Should get back in time to drive back to San Diego.
Route details via CalTopo https://caltopo.com/m/072PR . Carpooling from San Diego to the trailhead will be arranged once the attendees have been finalized.
Disclaimer: You are responsible for yourself and your safety. The trip leader is not a professional guide. You are responsible for making good decisions. Be prepared for the terrain, weather, distance, and elevation. As with any trip, the unexpected can happen including inclement weather. A go with the flow attitude is always a good thing.
By signing up for these events, you agree not to hold the organizers responsible for whatever happens to you on the trip. The hiking group does not certify the expertise of the organizers or trip leaders. We are NOT responsible for any possible losses or injuries.
