On August 28-September 6, 1971 myself, Gil Beilke, Roger Getz, Jim Bloom, Gordon Lee, Don Larson, Ralph Drollinger and Larry O'Leary backpacked 72 miles from Upper Rock Creek Lake to Triple Divide Peak and out at Kings Canyon.
On August 28, 1971 we broke off from the Explorer Post 360 trek at "Upper Rock Creek Lake" below New Army Pass. Gordon Lee brought the steak dinner and supplies in via mule and horseback to our layover at Upper Rock Creek Lake - a nice spot. Gil, Roger and Jim climbed Joe Devel Peak.
Upper Rock Creek Lake - Sequoia National Park 28 Aug 1971
Upper Rock Creek Lake - Sequoia National Park 28 Aug 1971
Upper Rock Creek Lake - Sequoia National Park 28 Aug 1971
Upper Rock Creek Lake - Sequoia National Park 28 Aug 1971
Eating steaks at Upper Rock Creek Lake campsite
Sequoia National Park 28 Aug 1971
Eating steaks at Upper Rock Creek Lake campsite
Sequoia National Park 28 Aug 1971
On August 29, 1971 we headed down Rock Creek past where the trail turns off to go over Guyot saddle. It was beautiful on the north side - many meadows. Also less brush on the north side lower down. The brush became a nuisance around 8500'. The plan was to descend to the Kern River near Kern Hot Springs but we ran into a waterfall and ledges we couldn't safely get around so we made camp.
On the trail down Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
On the trail down Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Meadow on Rock Creek, Mt. Guyot - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Start of cross-country down Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Meadow along Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Flowers along Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
View down Rock Creek of mountains near Mineral King
Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Cross-country down Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Flowers along Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Flowers along Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Berrys along Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Along Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Crossing Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Crossing Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Lunch stop on Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Flower on Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Flower on Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Berries on Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
Descending Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 29 Aug 1971
At this point we concluded that the terrain was too steep with cliffs, etc. so we backtracked up the creek until we found some ledges to make camp on.
The next day we returned up Rock Creek to the trail and over Guyot saddle to Crabtree Meadow to camp.
Climbing back up Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 30 Aug 1971
Climbing back up Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 30 Aug 1971
Climbing back up Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 30 Aug 1971
Climbing back up Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 30 Aug 1971
Climbing back up Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 30 Aug 1971
Climbing back up Rock Creek - Sequoia National Park 30 Aug 1971
Crabtree Meadow, Mt. Whitney - Sequoia National Park 30 Aug 1971
Kaweah range over Sandy Meadow on the John Muir/Pacific Crest Trail
near Whitney trail junction - 31 Aug 1971
Next day we continued on to Junction Meadow which we made about noon. Several of us were bushed so we made camp. Gil & Roger climbed Kern Point while the rest of us relaxed.
Junction Peak over Wright Lake Basin from south of Wallace Creek
Sequoia National Park 31 Aug 1971
View down Wallace Creek to Kaweah Ridge
Sequioa National Park 31 Aug 1971
View down Wallace Creek to Kaweah Ridge
Sequioa National Park 31 Aug 1971
Kern Canyon - Sequoia National Park 31 Aug 1971
Wallace Creek - Sequoia National Park 31 Aug 1971
Kern Canyon - Sequoia National Park 31 Aug 1971
Kern-Kaweah Canyon - Sequoia National Park 31 Aug 1971
Kern-Kaweah Canyon - Sequoia National Park 31 Aug 1971
Waterfall from Kern-Kaweah - Sequoia National Park 31 Aug 1971
Junction Meadow - Sequoia National Park 31 Aug 1971
Junction Meadow - Sequoia National Park 31 Aug 1971
Camp at Junction Meadow - Sequoia National Park 31 Aug 1971
Trail sign at Junction Meadow - Sequoia National Park 31 Aug 1971
The next day we continued up the newly cleared (of fallen trees) Colby Pass Trail along the Kern-Kaweah - nice scenery and hike. We camped where the trail turns to go up the pass at a beautiful campsite.
Waterfall from Kern-Kaweah - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah 'Pass' - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah 'pass' - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah 'pass' - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah 'pass' switchbacks - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah 'pass' - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Looking back down Kern-Kaweah 'pass' - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Trout in Kern-Kaweah River - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah River reflection - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Trout in Kern-Kaweah River - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah River vegetation - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah River (foreground), Picket Creek
Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah River - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Picket Creek - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah River trail - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah canyon - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah canyon - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah canyon - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah canyon near Gallats Lake
Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah canyon near Gallats Lake
Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Camp in Kern-Kaweah canyon near Gallats Lake
Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Interesting tree stump in Kern-Kaweah canyon near Gallats Lake
Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
Fishing at Kern-Kaweah camp - Sequoia National Park 01 Sep 1971
On the way along Kern-Kaweah River to climb Triple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
On a layover day the next day we climbed Triple Divide Peak - a loose cruddy mountain that really psyched me out - but it had good views.
Triple Divide Peak is a mountain along the Great Western Divide in the Sierra Nevada range on the boundary between Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks, in Tulare County, California. It rises to 12,640 feet. First ascent 1920 by James Hutchinson and Charles Noble.
Near Kaweah Gap, the peak divides three important watersheds: the Kern River, the Kaweah River, and the Kings River. This three-way divide leads to the peak's name. At one time, it was also called The Keystone.
The Kaweah Peaks Ridge spurs off to the south, while the Kings-Kaweah Divide branches off to the west.
Along Kern-Kaweah River on way to climb Triple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Kern-Kaweah River canyon - Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
On the way up Triple Divide Peak - Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
On the way up Triple Divide Peak - Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
On the way up Triple Divide Peak - Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
On the way up Triple Divide Peak - Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
On the way up Triple Divide Peak - Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
On top of Triple Divide Peak - Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Kern Point, Kern-Kaweah Canyon from top of Tripple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Crabtree Basin, Mt. Langley from top of Tripple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Siberian Pass area from top of Tripple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Kaweah Peaks Ridge from top of Tripple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Castle Rocks, Lion Lake from top of Triple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Castle Rocks from top of Triple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Roaring River, Whale Peak from top of Triple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Coppermine Pass area, Glacier Lake from top of Triple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Glacier Lake, Cloud Canyon from top of Triple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Moose Lake from top of Triple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Looking along ridge to Milestone Mountain on skyline
from top of Triple Divide Peak - Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Milestone Mountain from top of Triple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
The chute I launched rocks down and then descended
on Triple Divide Peak - Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Descending from Triple Divide Peak - Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
Rest stop descending from Triple Divide Peak
Sequoia National Park 02 Sep 1971
The next day we went over Colby Pass to Scaffold Meadows on Roaring River in Cloud Canyon. A nice hike but 16 miles was a little long. Some great views.
Kaweah Ridge from Colby Pass trail - Sequoia National Park 03 Sep 1971
Colby Pass trail - Sequoia National Park 03 Sep 1971
Looking back on Colby Pass trail - Sequoia National Park 03 Sep 1971
View towards Colby Pass trail - Sequoia National Park 03 Sep 1971
Approaching Colby Pass - Sequoia National Park 03 Sep 1971
Topping Colby Pass - Sequoia National Park 03 Sep 1971
Flowers at Colby Pass - Sequoia National Park 03 Sep 1971
Colby Pass - Sequoia National Park 03 Sep 1971
View from Colby Pass - Sequoia National Park 03 Sep 1971
Colby Pass - Sequoia National Park 03 Sep 1971
Descending Colby Pass toward Colby Lake
Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Colby Lake from Colby Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Colby Lake from Colby Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Switchbacks descending Colby Pass
Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Colby Lake - Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Looking back at Colby Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Colby Lake - Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Colby Lake - Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
South side of Whaleback near Colby Lake
Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
South side of Whaleback near Colby Lake
Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Big Wet Meadow, Cloud Canyon
Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
South side of Whaleback near Colby Lake
Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Avalanche Pass down Cloud Canyon
Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Palmer Mountain, Avalanche Pass down Cloud Canyon
Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Roaring River - Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Big Wet Meadow - Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Big Wet Meadow - Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Big Wet Meadow - Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Roaring River - Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
Camp on Roaring River - Kings Canyon National Park 03 Sep 1971
The next day took us over Avalanche Pass on a so-so day to Sphinx Creek. Gil climbed Palmer Mtn. Haze of the low country cuts into view.
View south from near top of Avalanche Pass
Kings Canyon National Park 04 Sep 1971
View south from near top of Avalanche Pass
Kings Canyon National Park 04 Sep 1971
Mossy pond near Avalanche Pass
Kings Canyon National Park 04 Sep 1971
Mossy pond near Avalanche Pass
Kings Canyon National Park 04 Sep 1971
Mossy pond near Avalanche Pass
Kings Canyon National Park 04 Sep 1971
Cross Mountain, North Guard from Sphinx Creek
Kings Canyon National Park 04 Sep 1971
Cross Mountain, North Guard from Sphinx Creek
Kings Canyon National Park 04 Sep 1971
Glacier Monument from upper Sphinx Creek
Kings Canyon National Park 04 Sep 1971
Upper Sphinx Creek - Kings Canyon National Park 04 Sep 1971
Sphinx Creek camp - Kings Canyon National Park 04 Sep 1971
Sphinx Creek camp - Kings Canyon National Park 04 Sep 1971
Larry O'Leary doing laundry at Sphinx Creek camp
Kings Canyon National Park 04 Sep 1971
The last day we hiked down a rough trail to Bubbs Creek - then "highway" to Kings Canyon roadhead - another so-so-hike. Lots of bugs and people.
Mt. Hutchings from Sphinx Creek trail
Kings Canyon National Park 05 Sep 1971
Mt. Hutchings and Buck Peak from Sphinx Creek trail
Kings Canyon National Park 05 Sep 1971
Mt. Hutchings and Buck Peak from Sphinx Creek trail
Kings Canyon National Park 05 Sep 1971
Bubbs Creek from Sphinx Creek trail
Kings Canyon National Park 05 Sep 1971
Bubbs Creek - Kings Canyon National Park 05 Sep 1971
Trail down Kings River to Kings Canyon trailhead
Kings Canyon National Park 05 Sep 1971
Left the roadhead about 10 a.m. for home. A great trip with beautiful weather.