High Sierra

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The Sierra backpacking is an annual, 5~8 days hike in the Sierra Nevada Mountains traveling high up into the mountains and having vivid scenery. With a taste for physically and mentally challenging hikes, scouts hike different backpacking routes that wind their way through the Sierras.

It always feels great to be on the top of peaks seeing the world in a different way. Instead of reading or watching the rare scenes from media, we enjoy that we are part of the beautiful world.

Time

Summer, usually August

Equipment

We will distribute ground tarps, hiking gears, and food at Mr. A's condo.

- General hiking gears information: Backpacking Equipment List

- Personal

  • Regular backpack equipment, pack light, no more than 25 pounds.

    • Backpack (55L ~ 70L gear capacity)

    • Sleeping bag (Done bag, 15 degrees Fahrenheit or less temperature rating)

    • Sleeping pad

    • Hiking boots with snow seal if possible

    • Extra shoes/sandles.

  • 10 essentials

    • Pocket knife

    • First aid kit

    • Extra clothing

    • Rain gear

    • Water bottle

    • Flashlight or headlamp

    • Trail food

    • Matches or fire starter

    • Sun protection: sun screen, hat, sun glasses

    • Map and compass

  • Layer clothing

    • Windbreaker or jacket — can be cold and windy on the peak and overnight campsite.

    • Fleece sweater

    • Thermal shirt

    • Quick dry shirt

    • Light weight hiking long pants

    • Thermal pants

    • Beanie

    • Swimming trunk

  • Cup and lightweight spork (or spoon and fork)

  • Toilet paper (distribute within buddy system)

  • Bug juice

- Troop

  • Food will be distributed for meals.

  • Water bags and trash bags

  • Lightweight stoves and fuels

  • Water filters

  • Walkie-talkie

  • Tent (3 scouts share one)

Pit Stops

2017 Cottonwood Lakes

This year, the troop will walk in a loop, with the starting and ending points being at Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead.

Maps

Reference

Gallery

2016 Bishop Pass - Taboose Pass

The troop planed to hike from Agnew Meadow (Mammoth), go north to Yosemite, and finished at Happy Isles, Curry Village, Yosemite. The troop ran into bad weather and turned back to Mammoth Lakes through Tuolunme Meadow. Because of the weather considerations, the Half-Dorm trip was cancelled. Instead, Scouts worked on Hiking, Backpacking merit badges. They visited Bodie State Park and attacked the White Mountain peak at 14,246ft which is the 3rd highest peak in California and the highest outside of Sierra Nevada.

Maps

Reference

Gallery

Reflections

2013 Kearsarge Pass - Shepherd Pass

In this 6 days and 5 nights, 60 miles hike, troop hiked from Kearsarge Pass (11760 ft. elevation) to Shepherd Pass (12401 ft. elevation) through John Muir Trail, Forester Pass (13200 ft. elevation, the highest point of the Pacific Crest Trail).

Maps

Google Map from South Lake Middle School to Mr. A's Condo #423

Google Map from Mr. A's Condo to Kearsarge Pass trailhead (36.772498,-118.341224)

Google Map from Mr. A's Condo to Shepherd Pass trailhead (36.727246,-118.278675)

Google Map from Shepherd Pass trailhead to Kearsarge Pass trailhead

2012 Rock Creek - Duck PassIn the 2012 Sierra backpack, troop hiked from Rock Creek over Mono Pass and emerging at Valentine Lake in Mammoth. It was a 5-day trek with a couple peaks to climb, Red and White, Red Slate, Bloody mountains. It was a great hike and gave everyone an orientation on the mountains to the South of Mammoth.

Reference

Gallery

2011 Taboose Pass - Sawmill PassThe 2011 summer Sierra backpack was from Taboose Pass hiking South to Sawmill Pass, and climbing Cardinal, Pinchott and/or Colosseum Mountains. The first day was really tough, but the rest of the hike was great. The area where scouts hiked is roughly from Big Pine south towards Independence along the Sierra Crest. This was a little harder than previous year's Sierra hike, but more spectacular as well. Some great Sierra lakes and majestic peaks are beckoning.Gallery

2009 Mammoth -Yosemite

The troop hiked from Agnew Meadow (Mammoth), go north to Yosemite, and finished at Happy Isles, Curry Village, Yosemite in 2009.

Top 10 reasons for taking this hike:

  1. transsierra trek,

  2. ascent of Mt Lyell, highest mountain in Yosemite,

  3. climbing Lyell Glacier, second largest in the Sierras,

  4. best view of Yosemite from Cloud’s Rest,

  5. a night on Cloud’s Rest,

  6. a full ascent of a half dome,

  7. the Sierra’s only lake with 1000 islands,

  8. an international visit to Ireland,

  9. a swim every afternoon in a gorgeous lake or waterfall,

  10. swimming in the Merced River.

Maps

Reference

Gallery