High Sierra Topix

Great trip. Thanks for the report.

I took this route several years ago to Bench Canyon. I'm surprised you were able to cross the San Joaquin in such a wet year. You write, "After crossing North Fork San Joaquin we stayed left of the creek out of Bench Canyon and had to cross some steep loose talus for about 200 feet or so, bordering on class 3." On the right side of the creek (heading up to Bench Canyon) there is a use trail. You can follow it pretty high up and from there scramble into Bench Canyon. It's much easier than staying close to the creek. No talus.

Here's my Bench Canyon trip report:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8190&p=59418&hilit=pietro#p59418

I think the bluer one is reflecting sky. From the other direction it also looked gray.

Great route- great trip! You've done it again, only this time you took your time, eh? Thanks for all the fine images now dancing in our heads! Ian.

this looks glorious! thank you for sharing

Pietro: thanks for the TR! Sounds like you found the same place to cross as Electra -- we will definitely look for that next time. Our crossing right below the confluence was only knee deep, but you are right that in this wet year it didn't look like there were many safe places to cross.

Ian: yes we took our time! And I'm glad we did. If I had been doing this solo I might have flown through it way too fast....

And thanks Satchel!