Welcome to the next edition of

California Mountain Adventures!

For this adventure I join friend and fellow mountaineer Rogue Photonic for a 13 day peak bagging journey in the remote Kaweah Range of the High Sierra!

Day 1

I drove up to Sequoia national park and met Rogue at the Lodgepole campground. We got our gear together and then drove over to the start of the High Sierra trail at Crescent Meadow in the Giant Forest. From the meadow the trail passed through some Giant Sequoias before emerging onto the open hillside high above the Kaweah river providing incredible views across the valley to Castle Rocks, up at the Great Western Divide, as well as Blue Dome, Sugerbowl Dome and back to Moro rock. And while the trail does climb up and down a bit it was still relatively easy going allowing for us to just cruise and enjoy the views.

Me at the trailhead

Crescent Meadow

Castle Rocks and the Kaweah River below

Looking back at Moro Rock

Panther Gap

Sugarbowl Dome

As we hiked the clouds started to build, blocking many of the views. After about 10 miles we dropped into Buck canyon. We climbed up and over Bearpaw meadows, and then traversed along a cliff, high above River Valley, before dropping down to the bridge across the gorge at Lone Pine Creek. Just above the bridge we found a good spot to setup our first camp and a spot to access the creek for water. There was also some Fish and Game employees on the trail, they were pretty friendly and made for some interesting conversation and they camped by us that night and hiked a bit with us the next morning.

Traversing high above River Valley

The gorge at Lone Pine creek

Views from camp

Day 2

So, those clouds snowed on us the first night! Not a lot though, only a 1/2" or less. Just enough to make stuff all pretty looking in the early morning. We woke up to a clear sunny day, packed up camp as the snow melted and continued up the trail. We climbed up passed the Hamilton lakes and Precipice lake and crossed the Great Western Divide at the 10,700' Kaweah Gap.

Hamilton Towers in the morning

Valhalla

Hamilton Towers, Hamilton Lake, and Valhalla

Eagle Scout peak towering above us on our way up to the gap

Rogue approaching Kaweah Gap

Nine Lakes basin from Kaweah Gap

From the gap we left the trail and headed across Nine Lakes basin and climbed up to Lake 11,682' perfectly tucked in between Lawson peak, Kaweah Queen, and the north face of Black Kaweah! We made our camp there by the lake and enjoyed the sunset.

Lawson peak from Nine Lakes basin

Lake 11,682' and the north face of Black Kaweah

Sunset from camp

Day 3

The plan for day 3 was to leave camp setup at Lake 11,682' and spend the day climbing Lawson peak(13,140') and Kaweah Queen(13,382')! First we headed up Lawson peak. It was an easy class 2 climb. The views from the summit were amazing, and the peak register was significantly interesting being a peak that very rarely gets climbed.

Rogue climbing Lawson peak

Me on the summit of Lawson peak

Kaweah Queen from Lawson peak

A zoom in shot of our camp from Lawson peak

From Lawson we traversed over to Kaweah Queen. The traverse was mostly class 2 talus with a bit of easy class 3 to spice it up a bit. The views from the summit were similar to those on Lawson, but even more amazing with us now getting views into Kaweah basin!

Traversing from Lawson to Kaweah Queen

Climbing Kaweah Queen with Lake 11,682' way down below

Views north from the summit of Kaweah Queen

Views east from the summit of Kaweah Queen

Views south from the summit of Kaweah Queen

Mt. Kaweah and Kaweah basin

After taking our time enjoying the awesome views on the summit we descended back to our camp with enough time to get a nice swim in the lake before dinner!

Descending Kaweah Queen

Descending Kaweah Queen

Drying off in the sun after a refreshing swim in Lake 11,682'

Day 4

The next morning we packed up camp and began climbing towards Pyra-Queen Col. The pass between Pyramidal Pinnacle and Kaweah Queen that would give us access to the Kaweah basin! On the climb up a cold hard wind was pounding us making the tough climb even tougher. Although mostly all class 2, the Col required a bit of route finding and was full of loose rock everywhere. I got to the top of the Col and got over to the other side to get out of the winds. I waited for Rogue... and I waited... and he didn't show up so I started to get worried. So went back up to look over the Col and I didn't see him!! So I shouted his name. Just then I saw him above me, coming over the Col on a slightly different route. He'd had a minor incident with some loose rock and had hurt his finger. So after resting for a bit he had decided on a slightly different route over the Col. After a quick rest on the backside of the Col we descended into the spectacular Kaweah basin! We hiked down through the Kaweah basin lakes and made our camp at Lucky Clover lake.

Kaweah Queen from Pyra-Queen Col

Looking down into Kaweah basin

Getting into Kaweah basin

Looking back up at Pyra-Queen Col

Kaweah basin

Kaweah basin

Kaweah basin

Kaweah peaks ridge

Kaweah Basin lakes

Kaweah Basin lakes

Lucky Clover lake

Camp

Views from camp

Day 5

The next day we took our time packing and enjoyed a leisurely morning since we had planned for it to be an easy day. We left Lucky Clover lake and headed south, out of Kaweah basin, around the northern ridge of Red Spur to the Red Spur lakes. On our climb around the ridge we aimed too high and ended up on some cliffs that we hadn't planned on dealing with had we stayed lower. We talked about backtracking and going down and around the cliffs, but with a little route finding we were able to find a fairly short class 4 downclimb that allowed us to bypass the bulk of the cliffs. Passed the cliffs we got to the Red Spur lakes. We climbed up to the highest most remote of the lakes. The water was beautiful! But the surrounding shore was just desolate. Not a single tree or bush. Just talus. So finding spots to camp was a bit tough. I worked to move a bunch of rocks, Rogue just opted to go tentless and just laid out his mat on a big flat rock.

Climbing up from Lucky Clover lake

Making our way through the cliffs

Red Spur lakes

Red Spur lakes

Red Spur lakes

Arriving at the highest of the Red Spur lakes

Since we had planned such a short day we were there early. So me being my restless self I headed out on a hike around the lake while Rogue relaxed and caught up on his Star Trek book. On my way around the lake I tried a bit of fishing without success. But I did get some great shots overlooking the lake with Kern canyon and Mt. Whitney behind it. And then that evening the sunset on the Sierra Crest... just spectacular.

Overlooking the lake

Zoom in on camp, my tent and Rogue just laying there reading

The water in the lake was amazing

More beautiful water

The upper Red Spur lake

Overlooking the lower Red Spur lakes

Sunset

Day 6

The next morning we packed up and headed back around the northern ridge of Red Spur (this time going lower to avoid the cliffs), and recrossed the lower part of Kaweah basin and crossed into the Picket creek drainage. We descended Picket creek to the renowned Picket Guard lake. The beauty of this lake has made it a desired destination for many a Sierraphile. We found a great spot to camp and spent the evening fishing. Easily just playing around with the huge abundance of trout in the lake! And once again the sunset on the Sierra Crest was just incredible!

Red Spur Lakes

Recrossing Kaweah basin

Picket Guard lake

Picket Guard lake

Views of Kern Canyon and the Sierra Crest from Picket Guard lake

Picket Guard lake

Picket Guard lake and the Sierra Crest

Sunset on Kern Point

Sunset on the Sierra Crest

Day 7

On day 7 we left our camp setup at Picket Guard lake and spent the day climbing Picket Guard peak(12,302')! The climb was easy but fun class 2. The peak had a really cool exposed summit block and although it's not the biggest peak, the fact that it stands relatively alone gives it really great views! We spent a good amount of time relaxing on top enjoying the summit then eventually made our way back down to camp. We got back with plenty of time still left in the day so we spent the afternoon swimming and fishing in the lake.

Ascending Picket Guard peak

The summit blocks

Me on the summit

Overlooking the lake on our way down from the peak

Yet another great sunset

Day 8

The next day we left Picket Guard lake and recrossed Kaweah basin for the third and final time. This time we headed for Kaweah pass. The climb up the pass wasn't technical, but the big steep climb was quite tiring. And similar to Pyra-Queen Col we had a ferocious cold wind beating on us making it that much tougher. But we made it and got to the lake at the top of the pass, right at the base of the east face of Mt. Kaweah, and we took a good break there before descending the south side of the pass to the Chagoopa plateau where we found a nice meadowy lake to setup our camp by. This night we could tell it got really cold, and that would become the trend for the rest of the trip.

Sunrise at Picket Guard lake

Recrossing Kaweah basin again

Climbing Kaweah Pass

Kaweah Pass lake

Descending to the Chagoopa Plateau

Arriving at the lake

Rogue getting to the lake

Me dipping my feet into the COLD water

Picking us some wild onions to add to dinner

Camp

Day 9

The next day was dedicated to climbing the biggest, tallest, peak in the Kaweah range... Mt Kaweah(13,802')! We left our camp setup on the plateau and headed for the mountain. It wasn't a technical climb but just a long, steep, loose climb. Often sliding back as you climb up creating a two steps forward one step back scenario that can get quite tiring. Eventually we got to the top of it's massive peak, and of course the views were spectacular!! We spent plenty of time on top enjoying the summit and then made our way back down. Now enjoying the loose soft dirt, enabling us to just sort of "rock ski" our way down the mountain. Doing that we got down quick, and made our way back out to our camp for one more cold night on the Chagoopa plateau.

Approaching Mt. Kaweah

Starting the climb

The big climb up Mt. Kaweah

Rogue making his way up the mountain

Summit marker!

Me on the summit of Mt. Kaweah

Looking down on Kaweah pass and Red Spur from the summit

Lower Kaweah basin and the Sierra Crest

Upper Kaweah basin and Kaweah Peaks ridge

Overlooking Chagoopa plateau and Kern canyon

Looking back up at Mt. Kaweah

Getting back down to the beautiful meadows on the Chagoopa plateau

Day 10

The next day we left the Chagoopa plateau and traversed along the southwest side of Kaweah peaks ridge passing many nice little meadows and lakes along the way. In one meadow I came up on some pieces of airplane from an old airplane wreck! So that was pretty interesting. Eventually we made our way to Red Kaweah lakes and found a spot to camp at the main big lake. The scenery there was stunning with both Black Kaweah and Red Kaweah just towering directly above the lake on the east and excellent views out to the Great Western Divide on the west.

Leaving the Chagoopa plateau

Finding pieces of airplane wreckage

Beautiful little lakes and meadows

Approaching Red Kaweah lakes

Camp at Red Kaweah lakes with Black Kaweah towering over us

Mirror reflection on the lake

Sunset on the Great Western Divide

Day 11

This was a day I will never forget. We started the day like any other. Had our breakfast and discussed our plan for the day. Our plan was to spend the day climbing Red Kaweah. But from the vague description we had I thought it was describing one route and Rogue thought it was describing another. We talked it over, but ultimately it was Rogue who originally planned this trip and had done much more research than I, so we started up his route. This route took us up into a gnarly class 4-5 chute. We tried our best to find a route, but it just kept getting more technical and more dangerous. At one point I was about 40 feet above Rogue, pushing my technical free climbing to the limit trying to scope out a route and coming up empty handed. I told him I was giving up and coming down. And as I started to climb down I made a step onto a large 2'x 3'x 2' rock that broke loose. I was able to stay on balance and secure on the cliff, but the huge rock kept going. Down into the narrow chute with Rogue standing helplessly below with nowhere to hide! My heart jumped out my chest and I yelled "ROCK, ROCK! LOOKOUT!!" Luckily the huge rock hit a ledge on the way down and exploded into a hundred smaller pieces. Still very dangerous, but less deadly. Rogue tucked his body against the far wall of the chute and covered his face in his arms as many of the pieces of rock hit him. I was relived just to see him survive. I made my way down the cliff back to him. And with all that he only had one injury. One of the rocks had made a nice deep cut on his ear. We did a little temporary first aid and then made our way out of the chute and back down to camp where we got his ear properly bandaged. I relaxed a bit and took a swim in the lake to calm my nerves. But with it still being early in the day I couldn't help looking at Red Kaweah and wanting to still try my route.

Black Kaweah reflecting in the lake

The infamous chute

Views from in the chute

Getting back to camp after the incident

Scoping out Red Kaweah for another attempt

I talked to Rogue about trying again, but he was still hurting and wasn't interested. But he told me to go ahead and give it a try so off I went. My route crossed over to the north face and headed up into a steep, but broad and wide open chute. It was mostly class 2 lower down getting into some fun exposed class 3 higher up. And loose rock EVERYWHERE! And without too much problem, I made it to the summit!! It was a little bittersweet not having Rogue make it with me, but oh my what an awesome summit it is!! Definitely one of my all time favorites. Even though it was getting late in the day I spent lots of time enjoying the fabulous view. Then I started my descent. I almost got into the wrong chute, but luckily realized it before I got too far. That would have sucked. I got back onto the proper route and worked my way back down, getting back to camp at the very end of the day.

Climbing above Red Kaweah lakes on the new route

Climbing up Red Kaweah

Some exposed class 3 in the chute

Red Kaweah summit blocks/summit register

Me on the summit of Red Kaweah

Great Western Divide and Red Kaweah lakes from the summit

Mt. Kaweah from Red Kaweah

Black Kaweah, Pyramidal Pinnacle, Koontz Pinnacle, and Kaweah Queen, from Red Kaweah

Descending back down to camp

Day 12

So the next day we had planned to climb Black Kaweah. But after the incident Rogue didn't seem interested in climbing anymore peaks. And Black Kaweah was the most complex and technical of all our planned summits, and I had hardly studied the route so there was no way I was going solo. So we made the decision to start making our way out a day earlier than planned. We packed up and left Red Kaweah lakes and dropped down into the Big Arroyo. There we were able to once again catch the High Sierra trail and follow it back over Kaweah gap, down passed Precipice and Hamilton lakes, over Bearpaw meadow and down to Buck creek where we made our final camp. It was a long but pleasant day, the weather was great and just getting back on a trail after so many days of cross country can be a real relief!

Saying goodbye to Black and Red Kaweah

Descending into Big Arroyo

Big Arroyo

Big Arroyo

Overlooking Big Arroyo from Kaweah gap

The west side of Kaweah gap

Precipice lake

Hamilton lake

Hamilton towers from the High Sierra trail

Overlooking River Valley

Arriving at Buck creek for our final night of the trip

Day 13

The final day of the trip. Always bittersweet. Such an amazing adventure it's a shame for it to end, but I know they all must eventually end. We packed up our camp at Buck creek and headed out the High Sierra trail for our final 10 miles ending the trip where we started at Crescent meadow in the Giant forest.

Sunrise on Sugarbowl Dome

High Sierra trail

Getting back into the Giant forest

*all photos by @derekrichardson

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