Back over Forester and Kearsarge: Summer Sierra Trip Report part 6

Back over Forester and Kearsarge: Summer Sierra Trip Report part 6

Mt Williamson: We will be back! (also, eep on that route!)
Mt Williamson: We will be back! (also, eep on that route!)

For the final part of this trip report, I’m mostly revisiting terrain we crossed our first and second days. But the views are so great that it’s totally worth it! Unfortunately, our idea to climb Mt Williamson didn’t work out as planned. Feeling a bit spooked about the route after chatting with some other climbers and learning that just getting to the base of the peak was 9 hours round trip, we started considering other options.
The next morning, the intended day of our climb, we woke to gusting winds that nearly blew me off my feet, and waiting it out wasn’t working. The wind was picking up and we were well past the window of time where we should have left for Williamson.
So instead we decided to pack up and make it a long day on the trail, working our way back towards Forester Pass and hopefully making it to Kearsarge Lakes for the night. We estimated it to be about an 18 mile day with about 4000 ft of gain, including a 1500 ft climb to cap thins off right at the end. It wasn’t going to be an easy day. Considering we were already getting a late start due to our attempts to wait out the wind, I wasn’t completely confident we’d make it to Kearsarge Lakes that night. But we hoped to in order to meet up with some friends we thought might be staying there that night.

Heading cross-country from Shepherd Pass to the JTM below Forester
Heading cross-country from Shepherd Pass to the JTM below Forester

If you’ve ever spent more than a few days on the trail, you’ll know what I’m talking about when I was feeling simultaneously sad to be heading out and excited to be heading out. Once we made the decision to skip Willy and start working out way back to the trailhead, my mind switched to that horse-to-the-barn gear. On the one hand I was disappointed that this great trip was coming to an end, but on the other: food, showers, beer.
We packed up and started back down the trail towards the JMT. However, instead of following trail all the way down to the JMT’s Tyndall Creek crossing, we cut cross-country to avoid the extra distance and elevation change. The travel was easy, and soon we popped out on the trail just as a groups of JMT hikers heading south passed by.

Forester Pass, straight ahead
Forester Pass, straight ahead

From here, we retraced our steps back over Forester Pass, just in the opposite direction. On our way up the pass we stopped and chatted with some trail maintenance crew members. They were waiting for an I-beam to be flown in by helicopter to help reinforce the trail. It was still windy, so I wished them luck and continued on to the pass.

Looking back on the trail and the crews waiting for the helicopter
Looking back on the trail and the crews waiting for the helicopter

We stopped at the first lake on the north side of the pass for a water refill and heard the sound of a helicopter approaching. It hovered just above the pass and then disappeared from view. Later, I found out Pavla heard it and worried about us, thinking it was a SAR helicopter and we were on Mt Williamson! Fortunately no tragic events were occurring, as we gladly informed worried folks heading south on the JMT.

Forester Pass
Forester Pass

From the pass, we zoomed down the trail. I felt great and was feeling confident in our distance plans until I suddenly bonked at the Center Basin junction. A 10 minute foot soak in the creek, some heavy snacking, and a big water refill helped, but I moved slower through Vidette Meadow. At the bottom of Vidette, where the JMT climbs towards Bullfrog Lake, we took another long break. I finally switched my shoes, something I should have done a long time back. I was hiking in my scramblers, but my awesomely awesome Columbia Power Drain camp shoes also make good hikers. After switching my feet were so much happier!
We started up the final climb and I started feeling more confident about reaching Kearsarge Lakes. Only a couple of switchbacks up, we heard a familiar voice ahead. Approaching us were three hearty hikers. Our friends who were planning on staying at Kearsarge Lakes had decided to push on to Vidette. We had a long chat and each continued on our way.

Another stop at my favorite view
Another stop at my favorite view

It was at this point that I hit what I had been waiting for all day – my second wind! I powered up the switchbacks, moving slower than my normal pace but trudging along at a consistent and comfortable pace. We marched on to Bullfrog Lake, but shortly after the lake I started to hit the wall again. Another mile or so of hiking ahead of us with a few hundred feet of gain – normally a trivial thing but I was out of gas.
Finally, we reached Kearsarge Lakes. I normally spend some time looking around for a campsite away from the crowds, but I was just happy to find a flat spot and crash for the night. The lakes are beautiful but overused, so despite my exhaustion I made sure to sit back and enjoy the view!

Camp below Kearsarge Pinnacles
Camp below Kearsarge Pinnacles

The following morning we packed up early and hoofed it back over Kearsarge Pass. I barely saw anyone on this normally popular trail since we were hiking so early. I had the pass to myself, something I’ve never experienced before. David had gone ahead so I tried to relish my final couple hours of quiet and solitude before heading back to civilization. We were back at the trailhead by 9:30 in the morning and after cleaning up headed into Lone Pine for a late breakfast at our favorite restaurant, The Alabama Hills Cafe (try the breakfast BLT).

Kearsarge Pass, all to myself
Kearsarge Pass, all to myself

All in all it was a really fun and successful trip. I have a summary recap coming up with reflections on gear, itinerary, and what worked and didn’t with our plan. Thanks for sticking around for this long trip report!

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Denise Zitnik

    I just found your photos when searching for info about the Chiquito Pass Trailhead, and eventually found my way to this blog, which I am so excited about! You have such beautiful pics and what looks to be the best collection of sierra trip reports I have seen online. Kudos & Thanks!

    1. calipidder

      Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! I get almost all of my beta from online photos and trip reports, so I just try to add my comments to the collection.

  2. Brett William Bayley

    once again, an awesome and inspiring trip report complete with beautiful shots and a wealth of valuable beta for all! i use and trust your reports in planning my own adventures-just returned from a five day solo of the North Lake/Evolution Valley loop over Lamarck Col that had me following one of your past trips. fantastic of course. (think Bear Lakes Basin is next!) keep it up! much appreciated.

    1. calipidder

      Thanks so much for your kind words! And trust me – Bear Lakes Basin is worth it. It’s still my favorite place in the Sierra. I think it’s time to think about revisiting it…

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