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TR Kearsarge/Rae Lakes Loop

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 1:07 pm
by Dana
9/2-5: Just completed loop from Onion Valley to Rae Lakes with side trip to Sixty Lakes Basin.

Monsoon weather pattern made for a dynamic itinerary scenario and contingency planning...

JMT trail traffic was 8-10. Mosquito's 0-2 most everywhere. Smoke was 2-5 morning of 3rd but cleared for remainder of trip as front moved in. Glen Pass is devoid of snow on south side. North side has a small lingering snowfield below headwall and some trail damage do to avalanches just below the Col.

Flora and Fauna a solid 10. Almost like spring in Fall. Purported Bear activity 8-10 but personaly only witnessed occasional scat in Charlotte Lake area. Lots of Mule Deer Bucks possibly in early rutt?

Day temps were 60-80F, Night temps 30-40F. FWIW, I used a 32F rated bag and wish I had the 20F... Sleeping in all your clothes isnt fun, somebody call a whambulance! :crybaby:

Side trip to Sixty Lakes Basin from Rae Lakes was amazing. Traffic 0-3 with only a few overnighters in the basin. Sunset on west facing Fin Dome was spectacular and full moon made for easy night hiking back to base camp.

NPS weather is forecasting westerly conditions to kick back in sometime around the 9th, could also usher in heavy smoke... :-({|=

Happy Trails,
D

Re: TR Kearsarge/Rae Lakes Loop

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 2:50 pm
by cgundersen
Dana,
Very helpful for conditions, but you might want to post this in the Backpacking forum, too; it will get more exposure.
Cameron

Re: TR Kearsarge/Rae Lakes Loop

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 8:10 am
by webdweeb
I hiked the RLL the week after you did and also noticed lots of bear scat, but only one sighting, near Lower Paradise Valley. Lots of deer and aggressive chipmunks visited our campsites, but no bears