TR: North Lake to Florence Lake Via Davis lake
Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 12:18 pm
Well it has been a week since we have returned and well work got in the way of me writing this report. We had a great trip!
Day 1: North Lake to Upper Lamarck Lake Track(https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tra ... 1a5486ce1/)
We got to the trail head in mid afternoon, the trail was in good shape and we met many hikers between the trail head and Lower Lamarck. The trail had some snow, but the "second" creek crossing between lower and Upper Lamarck was what slowed us down a bit. We were able to cross successfully and camp at Upper Lamarck Lake that evening.
Photos:
Tailhead
Creek Crossing 1
Snow on Trail
Creek Crossing 2
Day 2
We stayed an extra day at Upper Lamarck Lake
Upper Lamarck Lake
Found this cool snow bridge
Day 3: Track (https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tra ... 8da876ea5/)
This day we departed Upper Lamarck Lake and traveled up and over Lamarck Col. We had to cross a couple of snow fields and used crampons to get up over the Col. The use trail on the back side of the Col was slow go but doable. There was only one snow field that we choose to go around.
Heading up the Switchbacks
Crampons Ready
up the first snow field
The Col is in Sight
Up we go
We Made it
Down we go
Ready for bed between Darwin Lake #3 & #4 #nofilter
Day 4: Track (https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tra ... 12a0ec649/)(note:started tracker a bit late)
Today we departed for Wanda Lake (we would not see another person for 2 days from this point). We had some snow to travel around in Darwin Canyon. Darwin's Bench was stunning. The water was flowing, the trail was apparent, and it was downhill. Once we joined the JMT we found out that we would have snow from Sapphire Lake on. The JMT was covered with snow starting just beyond Evolution Lake and we were walking in it until the next day. Wanda lake was completely frozen and surrounded by snow.
Post breakfast "selfie"
Traveling around Darwin Lake 2
Lunch at the Bench
Waterfall in the Bench
The girls met a friend at Evolution Lake
Crossing above Evolution Lake
Before Sapphire Lake
Approaching our camp at Wanda
Day 5 Track (https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tra ... 2fd2bf255/)
On this day we departed Wanda Lake and headed over the pass towards Davis Lake. The ascent was snowy and sun cupped. Once over the saddle the snow disappeared for a while, but we had some tricky snow crossings while traveling around the lake. The use trail was covered with snow that basically dropped straight into the lake. We determined that we were able to make the crossings safely and did so successfully. After Davis Lake we followed the amazing Goddard Creek down to the San Joaquin River where we camped for the night.
Leaving our camp, heading towards the saddle to Davis Lake
A frozen Wanda and Sun Cups
sun cups
Looking towards Davis Lake
Day 6: Track (https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tra ... 0bf7881b3/)
This day we crossed the San Joaquin River first thing in the morning. Where we crossed it was shallow but very swift. The dads each crossed twice with the packs and the girls navigated extremely well. After this it was smooth sailing. The Goddard Canyon trail was in really good shape except for some fallen trees during the northernmost part of the trail. I am guessing this is what causing others coming from the north to turn back, but once you are past the first set of fallen trees the trail is amazing. Seeing the canyon so full of water was just breathtaking. We camped along the river just before exiting Kings Canyon NP along the JMT. This was our favorite day!
Crossing the River
So much water
More Water
Looking North Down Goddard Canyon
More Water
A cool spot to sit
Group shot
Day 7: Track (https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tra ... 7b1d9eec9/)
This was our last day. Out to Florence Lake... Not as many pictures as we were moving fairly quickly. The trail was dusty in some spots and Muddy in others. We always knew when the fairy had dropped off a new batch of hikers as we would meet people coming the other direction in large groups. We took the ferry across and hit up a hotel in Fresno before driving home to Las Vegas.
Leaving KCNP and entering the Wilderness
Knock Knock - John Muir Cabin
DONE
Day 1: North Lake to Upper Lamarck Lake Track(https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tra ... 1a5486ce1/)
We got to the trail head in mid afternoon, the trail was in good shape and we met many hikers between the trail head and Lower Lamarck. The trail had some snow, but the "second" creek crossing between lower and Upper Lamarck was what slowed us down a bit. We were able to cross successfully and camp at Upper Lamarck Lake that evening.
Photos:
Tailhead
Creek Crossing 1
Snow on Trail
Creek Crossing 2
Day 2
We stayed an extra day at Upper Lamarck Lake
Upper Lamarck Lake
Found this cool snow bridge
Day 3: Track (https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tra ... 8da876ea5/)
This day we departed Upper Lamarck Lake and traveled up and over Lamarck Col. We had to cross a couple of snow fields and used crampons to get up over the Col. The use trail on the back side of the Col was slow go but doable. There was only one snow field that we choose to go around.
Heading up the Switchbacks
Crampons Ready
up the first snow field
The Col is in Sight
Up we go
We Made it
Down we go
Ready for bed between Darwin Lake #3 & #4 #nofilter
Day 4: Track (https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tra ... 12a0ec649/)(note:started tracker a bit late)
Today we departed for Wanda Lake (we would not see another person for 2 days from this point). We had some snow to travel around in Darwin Canyon. Darwin's Bench was stunning. The water was flowing, the trail was apparent, and it was downhill. Once we joined the JMT we found out that we would have snow from Sapphire Lake on. The JMT was covered with snow starting just beyond Evolution Lake and we were walking in it until the next day. Wanda lake was completely frozen and surrounded by snow.
Post breakfast "selfie"
Traveling around Darwin Lake 2
Lunch at the Bench
Waterfall in the Bench
The girls met a friend at Evolution Lake
Crossing above Evolution Lake
Before Sapphire Lake
Approaching our camp at Wanda
Day 5 Track (https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tra ... 2fd2bf255/)
On this day we departed Wanda Lake and headed over the pass towards Davis Lake. The ascent was snowy and sun cupped. Once over the saddle the snow disappeared for a while, but we had some tricky snow crossings while traveling around the lake. The use trail was covered with snow that basically dropped straight into the lake. We determined that we were able to make the crossings safely and did so successfully. After Davis Lake we followed the amazing Goddard Creek down to the San Joaquin River where we camped for the night.
Leaving our camp, heading towards the saddle to Davis Lake
A frozen Wanda and Sun Cups
sun cups
Looking towards Davis Lake
Day 6: Track (https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tra ... 0bf7881b3/)
This day we crossed the San Joaquin River first thing in the morning. Where we crossed it was shallow but very swift. The dads each crossed twice with the packs and the girls navigated extremely well. After this it was smooth sailing. The Goddard Canyon trail was in really good shape except for some fallen trees during the northernmost part of the trail. I am guessing this is what causing others coming from the north to turn back, but once you are past the first set of fallen trees the trail is amazing. Seeing the canyon so full of water was just breathtaking. We camped along the river just before exiting Kings Canyon NP along the JMT. This was our favorite day!
Crossing the River
So much water
More Water
Looking North Down Goddard Canyon
More Water
A cool spot to sit
Group shot
Day 7: Track (https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tra ... 7b1d9eec9/)
This was our last day. Out to Florence Lake... Not as many pictures as we were moving fairly quickly. The trail was dusty in some spots and Muddy in others. We always knew when the fairy had dropped off a new batch of hikers as we would meet people coming the other direction in large groups. We took the ferry across and hit up a hotel in Fresno before driving home to Las Vegas.
Leaving KCNP and entering the Wilderness
Knock Knock - John Muir Cabin
DONE