Weather forecast looked favorable, so travelled to the SEKI Wilderness Permit Office at Lodgepole. No line at 11 AM, obtained one of 16 available walk in permits for the High Sierra Trail. Parked car at the Crescent Meadow TH and started hiking in the early afternoon.
Never saw a raindrop or mosquito. Intermittent high clouds were appreciated. Always above freezing at night. All creeks were running low and were easy to walk across. Encountered one snake and one bear.
Camped at Buck Creek, the Big Arroyo Patrol Cabin, one mile upstream from the end of the Burn Scar in the Kern Canyon (i.e. about four miles upstream of the Kern Hot Springs), and Guitar Lake.
For 34 miles between the Hamilton Lakes and the Junction with the JMT, only four groups of hikers were encountered. On the JMT hikers were numerous.
No evidence that my cherished storm damaged historic Big Arroyo Patrol Cabin had any repair work done.
Increasingly appreciated was the enchanting terrain of the Chagoopa Plateau.
Passed by the magnificent Chagoopa Falls as it tumbled over 1200 feet into the Kern Canyon. (When I hiked by the base of the Falls as a boy, there was a Ranger Station there.)
From the Summit of Mt Whitney, it was rewarding to gaze back at the Kaweahs, the Big Arroyo, the Chagoopa Plateau, the Kern Canyon, Crabtree Meadow and trace the path of the HST which had just been hiked.
On the descent from Mt Whitney, the sight of the still strongly flowing Spring at the 23rd Switchback was welcomed (first water since Guitar Lake).
Unfortunately, the Whitney Portal Store had closed by the time I reached the TH.
The Rest of the Story - Returning to car at Crescent Meadow: Hitchhiked to Lone Pine, ESTA bus to Bishop, Enterprise rental car (one day) from Bishop to Visalia Airport, Sequoia Shuttle bus to the Giant Forest Museum, Park Shuttle bus to Crescent Meadow.
Returned home safely and ready for more Adventure in the High Sierras! Very fortunate to live near this National Treasure.
Jim
Last edited by Jim F; 08/22/26 08:16 PM. Reason: Spelling
