torn between two thoughts.

[esrice]

Marie Lake is wonderful.

Seconded. Perhaps my favorite lake on the JMT.

[bbayley80]

Esrice.
yes! it looks amazing.
I have finally made up my mind and am going to revisit Bear Lakes Basin. adding a bit more off-trail spice by going over Seven Gables Pass from Medley Lake. I will return by taking the East Fork of Bear Creek down to the JMT from Vee Lake after a few days in the basin. get to pass Marie twice! along two shores

[maiathebee]

Ha! I'm planning a trip to Bear Lakes Basin this summer. I'm going in via Piute, down the canyon then up to Merriam, over to the basin before swinging around over Italy Pass back to Royce Lakes, then over Puppet Pass to Humphreys and out. I can DEFINITELY see the draw of that area! I think my trip to Tablelands / Lonely Lake was just *especially* beautiful because I happened to snag the wildflower bloom at peak. That's super hard to predict, but maybe you know if you will definitely be going *after* the peak (e.g. August / September)...

[bbayley80]

Ha! I'm planning a trip to Bear Lakes Basin this summer. I'm going in via Piute, down the canyon then up to Merriam, over to the basin before swinging around over Italy Pass back to Royce Lakes, then over Puppet Pass to Humphreys and out.

awesome! that will be great. thats pretty close to the loop I made of it, but in the opposite direction and different TH(I started and ended at Pine Creek) Merriam was one of my favorites! nice little sandy beach. inlet stream complete with waterfall..beautiful. I figure you are taking Feather over to BLB? that was a cool pass. amazing views. hitting Julius Caesar from Italy Pass was fun and 'easy' too since you're there and Granite Park is gorgeous too.

I remember in your Tablelands report you went from that high lake(11,200 I think?) all the way out to Wolverton.
in your opinion. if I had a three day window in early October-would it be worthwhile to jam out to that lake for a few nights. explore on a zero day and return? the hike out to Pear is something I've done so many times on a day hike and it doesn't look completely out of the question to push up and out to 11200. in my mind. obviously reality and Sierra terrain is another thing haha.. id appreciate any input.

[maverick]

Esrice.
yes! it looks amazing.
I have finally made up my mind and am going to revisit Bear Lakes Basin. adding a bit more off-trail spice by going over Seven Gables Pass from Medley Lake. I will return by taking the East Fork of Bear Creek down to the JMT from Vee Lake after a few days in the basin. get to pass Marie twice! along two shores

Yes, that whole area is very pretty, but don't leave out the gem in that area, Orchid Lake, from the mix, it has outstanding views of Seven Gables and back towards Feather Peak areas.

[maiathebee]

I remember in your Tablelands report you went from that high lake(11,200 I think?) all the way out to Wolverton.
in your opinion. if I had a three day window in early October-would it be worthwhile to jam out to that lake for a few nights. explore on a zero day and return? the hike out to Pear is something I've done so many times on a day hike and it doesn't look completely out of the question to push up and out to 11200. in my mind. obviously reality and Sierra terrain is another thing haha.. id appreciate any input.

I did go all the way from Lake 11,200 to Wolverton, and while an out and back with a zero day would be doable, I'm not sure I'd do that. I think I might instead do Wolverton --> Alta Meadow or Moose --> Lake 11,200 --> Wolverton, camping at either Alta Meadow or Moose Lake and then taking the second day to pick across the Tablelands to Lake 11,200 and then head back out on the third day via Pear Lake.

[wildhiker]

I agree with maiathebee: Alta Meadow and Moose Lake are awesome. Here are a couple of photos. - Phil

P1030686+sunset color on KaweahPeaks+GreatWesternDivide over AltaMeadow.jpg

P1030738+early morning, GreatWesternDivide over MooseLake.jpg

[bbayley80]

I think I might instead do Wolverton --> Alta Meadow or Moose --> Lake 11,200 --> Wolverton, camping at either Alta Meadow or Moose Lake and then taking the second day to pick across the Tablelands to Lake 11,200 and then head back out on the third day via Pear Lake.

ok. great. that does sound better. loop trumps out and back thank you

[bbayley80]

Maverick.
thanks for that tip! and those shots!!... incredible.

[bbayley80]

Phil/wildhiker
thanks for sharing those great pics!
I've day hiked out to Pear and Alta Meadow bunches of times- it only makes sense to connect the two via the loop you and Maiathebee lay out here. thanks again!