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: Backcountry Basics

Details

Dates

• August 3 (Thursday) - August 6 (Sunday), 2006

Trail Description

• Rainbow Mtn. - Sawtooth Pass

   * Nearby City:  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:
        "Two scenic passes over the Great Western Divide, forested canyons and
         beautiful lakes with excellent fishing make this Sequoia National
         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.
• 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
  • Has: stove (dragonfly), 2 L pot, water filter
  • Sleeps: anywhere
  • Drives: I can leave anytime. Would prefer not to take my car.
• Zhipu Jin (Confirmed) - Prefer D1, D2
  • Has: 3 man tent (not lightweight)
  • Sleeps: tent
  • Drives: Leave morning or afternoon. No car.
• Richard Murray (Confirmed) - I like the Mineral King option, if it is available (less driving, more hiking). Prefer T2
  • Has: 2 stoves, 1 cook kit, frying pan + spatula, water filter, bear can
  • Sleeps: tarp
  • Drives: Leaves 3 or 3:30 pm, has car.
• Domitilla Del Vecchio (Confirmed) - Prefer D2
  • Has: 3 man tent
  • Sleeps: ? tent, I think
  • Drives: Leaves after 3 pm, no car.
• Jean Charles Delvenne (Confirmed) - Prefer D3
  • Sleeps: tarp
  • Drives: Later is better, no car.
• Henrik Sandberg (Confirmed) - Prefer D3, D2
  • Sleeps: tarp
  • Drives: Later is better, no car.
• Ziad Fares (Confirmed) - Prefer D1, D2
  • Sleeps: anywhere
  • Drives: Prefers afternoon, no car.
• Lars Cremean (Confirmed)- Prefer T2
  • Has: 2 person backpacking tent, water filter
  • Sleeps: tent
  • Drives: Leaving with Dave from Chatsworth around 5 pm.
• Sawyer Fuller (Confirmed)- Prefer T2
  • Has: whisperlite, 2 L pot, 10" frying pan, 2 3-man backpacking tents
  • Sleeps: tent
  • Drives: Leaves whenever, has car.
• Dave van Gogh (Confirmed)- Prefer D2, T2
  • Has: stove (whisper lite), 3-man tent (pretty heavy), compass, water jug, trowel
  • Eats: anything
  • Sleeps: anywhere (tarp is fine)
  • Drives: pickup truck - seats 2 + lots o' gear. Lars and I are driving up Wed @ 5pm from Chatsworth. I can come to Pasadena Tuesday night to pick up gear if needed.

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).