2010 Trips

Eight Trips are offered in 2010, varying from 4 to 7 glorious Sierra days
Big Pine Lakes-I Jul 11 - 17	Seville Lake Jul 14 - 18	Soldier Lakes Jul 18 - 23	Big Pine Lakes-II Aug 1 - 7
Clark Lakes Aug 8-14	Hilton Lakes Aug 22 - 28	Sabrina Basin Aug 26-29	Big McGee Lake Sept 2 - 6	Click here for PDF list to save
Guidelines for all Trips: On all trips, mules carry gear to the campsite, drop it off, and return at the end of the trip to carry it out. If the weight per person that can be carried by the mules is not shown for a trip, clarify it with the trip leader. In addition, you may carry as much as you like in your pack when you hike in. All trips provide wine for the “happy hours" and/or "pot lucks". For potlucks, participants are asked to contribute so that each pot luck constitutes dinner for the group. Happy Hours are more informal and might substitute for dinner but are not expected to. Campsites below 10,000’ generally allow campfires. During the trip, each participant may choose their own activities, within safety guidelines. The leaders usually plan daily hikes, which are optional. People who like to fish should check the regulations that apply to the area before choosing a trip. To apply, contact the indicated leader with information about your condition, experience, and altitude tolerance. All applications received through Dec 31 go into an applicant pool -- how early you apply is not relevant. No acceptances will be given before Jan 1, 2010. After Jan 1, additional applications are considered as they are received. Individuals applying on behalf of a group that represents more than 50% of the available positions will be difficult to accommodate and are unlikely to be accepted. After you are accepted for a trip, the leader will provide the details you need about trip plans and what to bring. Note reservation & cancellation policy. Sign up and have fun!
On the trail to Palisade Glacier 2000 Mule Pack		Fifth Lake & the Palisades		Click on the pictures to view in a larger window. Close the window to return to this page.
O: Big Pine Lakes & Palisade Glacier: Jul 11 - 17, Sunday - Saturday On Sunday morning, hike 6 miles, 3000 ft elevation gain to a campsite at a gorgeous mixture of lakes, meadows, glaciers & mountains. From our campsite (10,850') we will see two 13,000' peaks and the Palisade Glacier; other 14,000' peaks are in the area. Palisade Glacier is the largest glacier in the Sierra and the southernmost glacier in the Western Hemisphere and sits between 13,000 and 14,000 feet. Monday to Friday, hike, swim, photo, fish, enjoy scenery or relax in camp and enjoy the Mule Pack Section's famous pot luck happy hours. A leader will provide information about the history of this area at the happy hours. Saturday hike out. The weight limit for the mules is 50 lbs per person. Trip cost is $200. To apply, contact Co-Leader: Mary Patterson. Co-Leaders: Dan Butler & Peter Ireland Back to Top of Page
Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily Rush Creek mule pack - 2007		Red Heather at Marie Lake 2007 Rush Creek mule pack
	O: Seville Lake: July 14 - 18, Wednesday - Sunday Wednesday morning we will hike 6.5 miles from Sunset Meadow trailhead in Sequoia National Forest. The trail takes us through the Jennie Lakes Wilderness, over a pass (1500' gain), and down to Seville Lake (8408') at the base of the Kings Kaweah Divide in the SW corner of Kings Canyon National Park. From our camp, we will have fine views of Kettle Peak (10,004') and Ball Dome (9435'). Thursday thru Saturday, we will enjoy the area hiking, fishing, relaxing in camp or searching for the perfect photo. Dayhike opportunities include hiking down Belle Canyon to Comanche meadow or continuing on to Sugarloaf Valley for a close-up view of Sugarloaf Peak. Or take the trail past Ball Dome to Lost Lake, or Ranger Lake & Beville Lake or continue on to Silliman Pass at Twin Peaks. We are hoping for good wildflowers in the meadows. Enjoy Happy Hour pot lucks every night with wine provided. Sunday hike out. You are allowed to place 45 pounds per person on the mules. Cost is $235 per person. To apply, contact co-Leader John Kaiser. Leader: Yvonne Tsai. Back to Top of Page
Sky Pilot 2009 Pine Creek Mule Pack		Little Elephant Head 2007 Rush Creek Mule Pack		Click on the pictures to view in a larger window. Close the window to return to this page.
O/I: Soldier Lakes: July 18 - 23, Sunday - Friday We are so excited about this trip which will be the first-ever mule pack to Soldier Lakes. We will start from Cottonwood Pack Station at Horseshoe Meadow (9900') and hike about 10 miles over Cottonwood Pass at 11128' and finish at Soldier Lakes at about 10,400'. The lakes are located northwest of New Army Pass from which Mt Langley and Cirque Peak are accessible. From Lower Soldier Lake, a use trail takes you to the gentle southeast ridge of Mt Pickering. Joe Devel Peak and Mt. Chamberlin are also accessible from the campsite. Then there are the lakes to explore: Erin Lake is a nice cross-country hike and Sky Blue Lake and Iridescent Lake sound irresistible. Or you can just hang around the campsite, stroll, fish or do whatever you like. The leaders, with help from participants, will arrange gourmet (no kidding) dinners for each night to accompany the wine provided. This will be a great trip for serious hikers who enjoy good food at the end of the day. Fee is $330 and the weight limit is about 55 lbs per person (plus whatever you carry on your back). Leaders: Pat Arredondo and Laura Joseph. Contact Pat for reservation info. Back to Top of Page
	Palisades & Fourth Lake View from near the old lodge
	O/I: Big Pine Lakes: August 1 - 7, Sunday - Saturday This is a favorite area for its beauty, history (Lon Chaney's cabin along the stream and the former site of a lodge, now destroyed, at Lake #4) and a variety of hiking opportunities. We'll start from the pack station, hike up a beautiful canyon and then follow the north fork of Big Pine Creek with its spectacular falls past Lakes #1, 2 and 3 to our campsite in the area of Fourth Lake. The hike in is 7 miles with 3000' gain. Besides exploring all the lakes (there are probably a dozen, although the official numbering stops at #7), we can visit the Palisade Glacier, Black Lake, or Summit Lake, and doesn't Thunder and Lightening Lake sound intriguing? A challenging hike to Jigsaw Pass offers the reward of a fabulous view of Dusy Basin. For peak baggers, there's Cloudripper, which is reached by a class 1 hike from Seventh Lake. There will be fishing somewhere and opportunity to relax at the campsite or on some inviting slope or lakeside. The leaders are famous for superior organized dinners (you'll know exactly what to bring and won't have to guess) to fill you up at the end of a fun day. Fee is $275 and we'll try to accommodate up to 55 pounds per person on the mules. Leaders: Sandy Burnside and Laura Joseph. Contact Sandy for reservation info. Back to Top of Page
Clark Lake Donahue Peak on the horizon		Agnew Lake Trail to Clark Lakes on far side		Click on the pictures to view in a larger window. Close the window to return to this page.
O: Clark Lakes: August 8 - 14, Sunday - Saturday Sunday morning we will hike 5.5 miles with 2950' gain from the Rush Creek trailhead past Agnew Lake, through Spooky Meadow & over a pass (10,060') to our base camp at lovely Clark Lakes (9810'). Our camp will be centrally located for five fabulous days in the Ansel Adams wilderness. We'll have many choices for dayhikes. To the south and west are the well-known and spectacular Thousand Island Lake and Garnet Lake along with numerous other smaller lakes -- join in a search for Ham and Eggs Lakes. To the NW are the lakes of the Rush Creek drainage: Gem, Waugh, Weber and Sullivan. Or perhaps you'd like to explore the PCT High Trail with great views of Ritter, Banner and the Minarets and, with good timing, an abundance of wildflowers. Enjoy daily pot-luck happy hours, wine provided, and two traditional group dinners. The weight limit for the mules is 50 lbs per person. All this for $250. Leader: Sharon Kirk. Assistant Leaders: Fran Penn and John Kaiser. To apply, contact Fran with statement of health and recent high altitude and distance conditioning. Back to Top of Page
Davis Lake & Hilton Lake #2		Passing Hilton #5
	O: Hilton Lakes: August 22 - 28. Sunday - Saturday The Hilton Lakes are situated in a wooded lake-filled basin. Sunday we will start from the Hilton Lakes trailhead (9845') and hike approximately 5 miles with 535' gain on a trail that switchbacks above Rock Creek Lake climbing through lodgepole pine and fields of lupine and Indian paintbrush. The trail tops out on a saddle at 10,380 feet above the Hilton Basin, providing views of the impressive "railroad-baron peaks" of Stanford and Huntington and then descends to our scenic base camp on Hilton Creek near Hilton Lake #1 also known as Davis Lake (9850'). From Monday to Friday we'll hike, photo, look at flowers, fish or relax in camp. Hiking choices include exploring the eight lakes of upper Hilton Basin and the meadows below the basin along Hilton creek. Fishing in the Hilton Lakes is excellent for brown, rainbow, and brook trout. We will enjoy planned potluck dinners every night with wine provided, and we are hopeful that campfires will be allowed. On Saturday we hike out. You may ask the mules to carry up to 55 pounds and you may carry as much as you want yourself. The fee is $300 per person. To apply, contact Leader: Cathie Miller. Co-Leader: Laura Joseph. Back to Top of Page
	Sabrina Basin The trail to Hungry Packer			Click on the pictures to view in a larger window. Close the window to return to this page.
O: Sabrina Basin (with a Little Help from our Mules): August 26-29, Thursday - Sunday. End the summer high in the Sierras in a lake-filled basin. Thursday am hike from the Lake Sabrina trailhead 4 miles, 1300' gain to set up camp at Blue Lake (10,394') at the edge of the Thompson Ridge and the entrance to the basin. Friday & Saturday hike, photo, fish or relax in camp enjoying the view at Blue Lake. This basin is stocked with brookies and rainbow. The trail forks at Blue Lake to allow for multiple day hike possibilities. Each of the other lakes is a short day-hike away and we plan to explore as many as we can: Donkey and Baboon Lakes are on one branch of the trail, Dingleberry, Sailor, Hungry Packer Lakes and others are on the other branch. California Hiking gives the scenery of the basin a 10 rating. Up to 45 pounds allowed if compacted appropriately. Cost is $200 which includes carrying of one or two 30" long duffle bags into and out of base camp, wilderness permit, social hour wine and salad. To apply, contact Co-Leader: Fran Penn with statement of recent high altitude and distance conditioning. Co-leaders: Christine Gutierrez, Francine Oschin. Back to Top of Page
Colorful trail past Red & White Mtn to McGee Pass		Taking a break at Baldwin Bowl overlook
	O: Big McGee Lake: September 2 - 6, Thursday - Monday. Enjoy a long Labor Day weekend in this colorful, high elevation setting. Thursday morning hike 7.5 miles 2600' gain up McGee Creek through aspens, pines and meadows to reach the beautiful red rock mountains of upper McGee Creek canyon. We'll camp alongside Big McGee Lake at 10,500' elevation. The lake is located at the base of Red & White Mountain and Mt. Crocker. A day hike to McGee Pass will provide views of Fish Creek valley, Red Slate Mountain, and the equally-colorful Dorothy-Genevieve Basin. In another direction, a hike to an overlook of scenic Baldwin bowl is rewarding and one can continue to Golden Lake and perhaps Steelhead Lake. An old trail constructed by the CCC is an option to take us over Hopkins Pass into upper Hopkins Basin. Enjoy happy hours / pot lucks every night with wine provided. Monday hike out. Cost is $235. To apply, contact Leader Winnette Butler with statement of recent high altitude and distance conditioning. Co-leaders: Jim Fleming, John Kaiser. Back to Top of Page

All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver. If you would like to read the Liability Waiver before you choose to participate on an outing, please go to: http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms. The Sierra Club is registered as a Seller of Travel under CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.
	Posted November 16, 2009