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Lake-to-Lake Loop, John Muir Wilderness, California Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09105A Price: $545 Deposit: $100 Capacity: 13 Rating: L/M Leader:
The Trip The beautiful High Sierra awaits the prepared and the vigilant. We are that group. The trip will be conducted within the boundaries of the John Muir Wilderness and Sierra National Forest, east of Fresno, CA. This portion of the John Muir Wilderness is spectacular and we will travel a section of the famous John Muir Trail. I have a great love of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and I take great pride in sharing them with others. This trip is unique in that we spend about equal time above and below timberline. The forested portions are cool and inviting, while the High Sierra parts offer spectacular views of alpine lakes and cirques.
Day 1: The first day will be spent in car shuttles, a ferry ride with fantastic views, and a short hike of about two miles. Day 2: We will cover nearly seven miles and have the greatest elevation change, at just less than 3,000 ft (2,000 up; 1,000 down). This will probably be our most strenuous day. We will have some great views of the High Sierra from Bear Ridge. Day 3: We’ll ascend Bear Creek in a totally delightful forested valley. We will have glimpses of Seven Gables, Mt Hilgard, Mt Senger, and Mt Hooper. Day 4: A layover day will allow us to explore the surrounding area's lakes. Day 5: We will cross Seldon Pass on the fifth day and have lunch at a fantastic twin lake (Sally Keyes) with good fishing (license required) and swimming. We will move on to camp near Senger Creek. Day 6: The last night’s camp follows a long downhill hike and about 4 miles of relatively flat ground to a peninsula on Florence Lake. The sunset on the lake is something to behold. Day 7: The last morning will take us across the lake by ferry to our cars. Getting There The trip begins on at 9 a.m. on day one at the Eastwood Visitor Center near Huntington Lake. Drive to Huntington Lake from Fresno on Highway 168, which is about a 64-mile drive. Take a right turn onto the Kaiser Pass Road/Primary Forest Route 80, towards Edison Lake. The turn-off is past the Sierra Summit Ski Area. More information will follow about the exact car shuttle point, when I have knowledge of the number of vehicles and participants on this trip. Camping is available at several sites between Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake. Numerous sites are also available at either Edison or Florence lakes. A ferry ride starts and completes the trip (included in price). The nearest airport is in Fresno, about 86 miles from Edison Lake. The leader will attempt to assist trip members in the coordination of rides. Ultimately, it is each participant's responsibility to get to the road head, however.
Most meals are multi-course dishes, such as spaghetti, soup, vegetable, and dessert, so provisions for special dietary needs, such as strict vegetarians, cannot be accommodated. However, you can expect more than sufficient quantity of food. Your leaders believe in eating well, too. Gasoline stoves (provided) will be used for food preparation on the trail. Instruction will be given on the use of stoves and all other commissary equipment. Under supervision of the leader or assistant, group members will help prepare meals and do clean up. The first meal will be lunch on day one, and the last meal will be breakfast on the last day.
This trip is rated light/moderate (L/M). The total mileage is about 30, not including any we cover on the layover day and we average about six (6) miles per day. We will have breakfast on the last day and expect to be to our cars by 12 p.m. The weather in the Sierra during the summer is usually wonderful, but afternoon thunderstorms may happen. We will camp near water every night. Physical conditioning is essential for this trip. We will be hiking and camping at or above 7,700 ft. four of the days and above 10,000 ft the other two days. You should already be doing some kind of regular exercise and be used to hiking with a 35 to 40-lb pack.
Standard backpacking gear (well-fitting backpack, down sleeping bag, etc.) will be sufficient. Check the equipment list appearing below for suggestions. Have a tent in case of rain. The weather is usually mild, but can be cold at higher elevations. Your personal gear weight limit is around 20 lbs. Be sure to leave room for central commissary items, which may weigh as much as 15–18 lbs. I will provide Garcia Bear canisters to protect our food and the local critters. A swimsuit may come in handy. The Sierra Club will provide iodine or you can bring a filter to treat your personal water supply. Bring two canteens--one or two quart size will be adequate. A dish at least 7 inches across, a bowl for soup, a cup, fork, spoon and knife are the only utensils you will need. A fishing license is required for those wishing to fish. California Backpack Equipment Checklist The following is a list of equipment generally needed on Sierra Club outings. Due to the wide variety of trips we offer, this list may not be completely suited to your trip. Your trip leader is the best source of information regarding equipment. Required Items
Recommended Items
Books
Maps
Conservation Forest Service Lands and Wilderness Protection Our route lies entirely within public National Forest lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Fortunately, most of the highest of the High Sierra is permanently protected as Congressionally designated Wilderness; for example, our trip is located in the John Muir Wilderness. However, most National Forest lands that do not have Wilderness protection are under continual assault. Logging, road building, overgrazing, and mine wastes have blighted many public forests with clear-cuts, water pollution, mudslides, invasion of non-native species, and loss of habitat. Much of this environmental degradation has been paid for by American taxpayers at a cost of billions of dollars. During our trip we will discuss federal public lands and wilderness protection, and learn about how the various land agencies do in terms of environmental stewardship. We will also learn about the Sierra Club’s storied legacy, dating from John Muir himself, of efforts to preserve endangered habitat and wilderness.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Leader:
For the last 17 years, Mike Murphy has worked as an educator and geographer for the Clovis Unified School District. He has led trips for groups in the High Sierra for the last 26 years, mostly taking hikers to the top of Mt. Whitney. He has been a leader in the Sierra Club's National Outings program since 1991, leading trips to both the Sierra and the Southwest. In 2002, he participated in "American Frontiers: A Public Lands Journey," a two-month trek co-sponsored by the National Geographic Society.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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