[pct-l] Evolution and Bear Creek crossings questions?

[Stephen]

I use the 15 minute map series by wilderness press.  I think they can be got 
from REI (I get mine at Wilson's in Bishop).  I don't care for the 7min 
topos. The one that covers the area is the Mt Abbott Quadrangle.  It covers 
the PCT from Senger Creek South of Selden Pass and Sally Keyes Lakes north 
past Silver Pass and up to Fish Creek. West it has most of FLorence Lake and 
Thomas Edison Lake.


 Another alternate I was looking at is instead of taking the switchbacks up 
from Blaney hot springs and the Muir Ranch cut off, just follow the trail 
that out toFlorence Lake and hike the road over to VVR. It's not all covered 
on this map so can't be sure.  On the other hand, the Selden Pass area is 
not as high as the southern passes and it is phenominally beautitful and 
should not be missed unless absoulutely necesarry.  The only time I didn't 
hang out on Selden for a while and ooh and ahh was a couple years ago,and I 
was being pelted with marble size hail, and kinda felt like it too.  The 
other times I've hung out and made coffee and really super nice.  It just 
has a completely different feel than the high rocky southern passes and I 
think you'd enjoy it more.  And it's not long after you decend right down 
into beautiful hemlock forest.  I wont say anymore as I don't want to spoil 
the book for anyone.
And as far as my taking the side route, the intention is two-fold.  I have 
cross country experience, am comfortable with it; in fact sometimes prefer 
it.  I can't remember last time I actually used a compass in the Sierra, nor 
do I remember the last time I carried one.  I have when I thought it 
prudent, I just don't remember.  But that's how easy travelling can be off 
trail.  Gain a little high ground and you can see where you need to get to. 
Look for the path of least resistance or what appears to be; look for 
another place to get a view along the way and just start moving in the 
general direction, or making the necesarry contour until you can see 
something promissing.  Mind that I have a good sense of direction and 
understand that sometimes moving slowly is moving more efficiently and 
safely, and turning back is always an option in reserve.  Anyway, what I 
thought I might do is scout a route and then right it up for future 
travellers.  The main concern would deal with difficulty of terrain and 
difficulty in finding one's way over it, like bushwhacking, tallus fields, 
stay high or go low to the creek etc...  And yeah I'd make some notes using 
a compass to get proper bearings passing through any vission blocking 
forrest and sort of follow my basic route.  Like I mentioned, I'd be 
bringing extra food, coffee and just make an adventure out of it that may or 
may not be a good idea.  There is a chance I may be sailing to Hawaii and 
change my plans for the long hike north, but in that case I would still be 
in the mtns later in the year and would go walk the terrain because I need 
to go over Seven Gables Pass again and climb Gemini while there.  Then come 
on down cross country and could very easily check out this route I am 
concerned with.  You'll all be hiking in SoCal by the time I know for sure 
what plans I will eventuate.  But for now I have my pack weight down 
to13lbs, and figure to be at 11lbs base without food, fuel, bear management 
devise (nothing until VVR) or ice axe.  If I come over the high off trail 
passes to get to Seven Gables I'll have to wear my boots gaitors and use the 
axe. It's part of the fun; I'll just have my shoes waiting for me at 
Vermilion.
OK well that's it from me....
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Evolution and Bear Creek crossings questions?


>
> On Feb 4, 2009, at 11:36 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>
>> From: "Stephen" <reddirt2 at earthlink.net>
>> Subject: [pct-l] Evolution and Bear Creek crossings questions?
>
> I would be interested in hearing about your off-trail bypass of the
> crossing if you scout it out. I had considered mapping an alternative
> route through the Sierras as I did not like the high altitude so much
> and a lower altitude alternative might have aided my journey. But I
> did not have anything other than the Harrison JMT maps and the guide
> book which provide only a small sliver of map. What maps are you
> using or are you using something like TOPO!?
>
> Where I live, just because there is a trail on a map doesn't mean
> there is a trail in real life. So I'm always wary of alternative
> routes unless I hear that someone has done them.
>
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