Onion Valley to Kearsarge Pass and beyond
This is an out and back day hike that will begin at 8:30am on Saturday, July 9th.
This is an extremely popular trail known for its spectacular beauty and as a gateway to the Sierras. You can expect a mixture of shade and sunshine and beautiful lakes along the way to satisfy your need for wilderness eye candy.
There are two options for this hike, one will take you to Kearsarge Pass which will be approximately 4.7 miles one way with about 2,600 feet in elevation gain, making this a 9.4 mile hike. The views from Kearsage Pass are the true highlight of the hike as you peer into Kings Canyon and see a wonderland of lakes and mountains displayed in the distance. The elevation at Keasarge Pass is 11,760 feet.
The second option will take us down to Bullfrog Lake after reaching the high point of Kearsarge Pass. Bullfrog Lake is actually two lakes with elevations of 10,700 and 11,000. Taking the trail down to Bullfrog Lake into King’s Canyon National Park will make the hike approximately 11.6 miles total.
Keep in mind that this is a high altitude hike that begins at 9,185′ and you need to be prepared to recognize and respond to altitude sickness (AMS), if that happens to you. AMS is a serious and sometimes deadly condition. Please read more about altitude sickness here, https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/altitude-sickness
To help with the acclimating to the high altitude, I have two campsites reserved Gray’s Meadow (3 miles from the trailhead) the night before the hike (07/08) and the same date of the hike (07/09). If you sleep at the higher elevation, it will help with acclimatization. I will post a separate event just for the camping, if you care to join me. Otherwise, with a start time of 8:30am, it is possible to make the drive from Los Angeles in about 3 1/2 hours so you could come for just the hike and return home the same day. I will be camping on Saturday night so I don’t have to drive back after the hike. If enough people are interested, we can have a post-hike group potluck on Saturday night.
MISCELLANEOUS: Everyone who signs up for this event must have a recognizable profile photo. Also, everyone goes to the wait list first and I will add you to the hike based on my knowledge of your hiking abilities. No plus ones.
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:
I am a volunteer (i.e. not liable for the group). Safety is a priority for everyone in the group. Think of this as hiking with a group of friends.
Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you’re taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions. If you choose to sign up for any Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup events, you are releasing the Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup Group and it’s organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries as stated in paragraph 6.2 of the Meetup “Terms of Service” located on the bottom of the Meetup website. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.
Hope you can join me!