On October 5-8, 1979 myself, Jim White and Stan Haye did a 27 mile loop backpack over Kearsarge and Baxter Passes in the John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park.
We left Independence at noon and hit the trail to Kearsarge Pass about 1:30. We were making good time at Gilbert Lake so decided to go on over Kearsarge Pass to the old Ranger Station camp on the high trail. We topped the Pass about 5 p.m. and made camp about 6 p.m. as it got dark. We were all pretty tired after the 7 mile day and cooking in the dark with cold temperatures didn't help. We all went to bed around 8 p.m. At about 11 p.m. Jim upchucked supper - probably too much exertion for the first day.
All was well in the morning so we headed for Glen Pass. Ran into a seasonal ranger along the way and had an interesting talk. He was headed for his base at McClure Meadow (Evolution Valley area). We all ate lunch about 1 p.m. on top of Glen Pass and then descended to Rae Lakes, camping on the isthmus between the two highest lakes. Camp was made about 3 p.m. so we had a good rest before fixing supper.
Went to bed about 8 p.m. again and awoke around dawn to the pelting of corn snow. It quit and we rushed to make breakfast and break camp. We slowed down though as it became evident the shower was passing and the weather clearing. We got some tremendous morning views of Rae Lakes and good photos.
We headed on down the trail about 9 a.m. and ate lunch at the lower end of the lake basin just before the Baxter Pass Trail takes off. The signs had been taken down so we missed the trail junction and had to hunt up the trail. This trail is little used and never built up to the normal standards. It contoured up and down along the hillside with good views back toward Fin Dome, then rounded the corner into the Baxter Creek valley.
After a short climb the trail was a gradual climb up through the valley. Lots of water and grassy areas - would be a nice place to camp. Hoped to see some Sheep but didn't. We made the upper Baxter Lake about 2:30 and set up camp in a cool breeze with the threat of developing clouds. The clouds dissipated though and the afternoon remained nice. After a good nap we fixed supper and gathered around a campfire until about 9 p.m. before hitting the sack. At 11,000 feet we had our coolest night but nice.
The final morning we fixed breakfast and hit the trail about 9 a.m. for the long trudge up to the top of Baxter Pass. The trail has a good grade but is quite barren and seems to go on forever. There was a cold breeze that didn't help. We topped the pass around noon and headed down the other side about a mile to get out of the wind. This section of trail is really a mess - very rocky and unstable - not recommended for stock. It is also steep.
We finally arrived at a sheltered spot for lunch then headed down the long 5 or 6 miles to the roadhead. Not a bad hike, just long with some steep spots and some brushy spots but also some very pretty spots in the middle section along the creek. Made the roadhead about 4-5 p.m. after a great fall trip. Mrs. White had left us a bag of oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies in the car which were enjoyed by all.
Kearsarge Pass - Baxter Pass Loop 1979
