View source for Group Hiking Trip

= Backpacking Trip =
Mary and Zhipu are organizing Murray's Group backpacking trip this year. They tried to narrow down the details according to Richard's "Devil" schedule and other tradeoffs. A tremendous response were received from group members and other friends. The trip will happen on August 3 - August 6, 2006. The trail is Rainbow Mtn. - Sawtooth Pass (near Mineral King, in south part of Sequoia National Park). A permit for 15 people has been reserved. Please contact Zhipu (jzp@caltech.edu) or Mary (mjdunlop@caltech.edu) to confirm your participation.

= Be Prepared =
* Start working out and keep yourself fit
* What to Bring: [[Packing List]]
* Menu Ideas: [[Trip Food]]
* Wilderness trip planning guide: [http://www.nps.gov/seki/bc_basic/bc_basics.htm Backcountry Basics]

= Details =

=== Dates ===
* ''' August 3 (Thursday) - August 6 (Sunday), 2006'''

=== Trail Description ===
* '''Rainbow Mtn. - Sawtooth Pass'''
    * Nearby City:  [http://www.nps.gov/seki/mkvc.htm Mineral King], CA (South Part of Sequoia National Park)
    * Length:       about 30 miles
    * Trail Type:   Loop
    * Skill Level:  Moderate/Hard
    * Duration:     Arrive Mineral King at Wed. night and use 4 days to finish the loop
    * Maps:         [[Media: pdf]]
    * Driving Time: 5.5 hours
    * What the Guidebook Says:<br>        "Two scenic passes over the Great Western Divide, forested canyons and<br>         beautiful lakes with excellent fishing make this Sequoia National<br>         Park's most popular loop from Mineral King."

=== Trip Itinerary ===

* Day 0 (Aug. 2, Wed.): Driving down to Mineral King in the afternoon and stay in Cold Spring camping site. 
** Zhipu and Mary leave at 11:00 AM to claim the camping sites
** Richard, Sawyer, Domitilla, Henrik, Jean-Charles, and Ziad leave around 3:00 PM (meet at Steele foyer)
** Dave and Lars leave at 5:30 PM (from simi Valley)

* Day 1 (Aug. 3, Thu.): Mineral King to Lower Franklin Lake. 6 miles, 2480 ft ascent
* Day 2 (Aug. 4, Fri.): Lower Franklin Lake to Little Claire Lake. 7 miles, 1480 ascent, 1350 descent. Early in the day go over Franklin Pass (11,800 ft)
* Day 3 (Aug. 5, Sat.): Little Claire Lake to Upper Lost Canyon. 9 miles, 1400 ft ascent, 1200 ft descent
* Day 4 (Aug. 6, Sun.): Upper Lost Canyon to Mineral King. 8 miles, 1400 ft ascent, 3760 ft descent. Go over Sawtooth Pass (11,600 ft)

= Participants =

The following people have send their responses:
* Mary Dunlop ('''Confirmed''') - Prefer D1, D2, T2
* Zhipu Jin ('''Confirmed''') - Prefer D1, D2
* Richard Murray ('''Confirmed''') - I like the Mineral King option, if it is available (less driving, more hiking). Prefer T2 
* Domitilla Del Vecchio ('''Confirmed''') - Prefer D2
* Jean Charles Delvenne ('''Confirmed''') - Prefer D3
* Henrik Sandberg ('''Confirmed''') - Prefer D3, D2
* Ziad Fares ('''Confirmed''') - Prefer D1, D2
* Lars Cremean ('''Confirmed''')- Prefer T2
* Sawyer Fuller ('''Confirmed''')- Prefer T2
* Dave van Gogh ('''Confirmed''')- Prefer D2, T2

If your name isn't on this list and you still want to join us, please send an e-mail to Zhipu (jzp@caltech.edu) or Mary (mjdunlop@caltech.edu).