On June 14-15, 1980 myself and Jim White did a 10 time roundtrip backpack to Sawmill Meadow in the John Muir Wilderness.
We left Independence about 8 a.m. and hit the trail from Sawmill Creek above Sawmill Campground about 8:30 a.m. We followed very steep sandy trail up to main trail. It would be better to follow road up stream to pick up the main trail which is not as loose and half the grade. This is a steep trail climbing steadily for 1.2 miles to the junction with the trail from Division Creek.
It's steeper than the Division Creek route but being shorter I think I like it better. We were lucky with cool breeze - could be hot - should start at daybreak. Reached the trail junction about 9:45 (1.2 miles plus about 1000 feet). Took a break for about 30 or 40 minutes and headed up the trail. Saw some grouse or quail along the trail.
Topped the ridge about noon and reached the creek about 1 p.m. We had climbed from 4,700 to 7,100 (2400 feet) in about 3 miles and were pooped so took a long lunch break. Finally hit the trail about 3 (I think) and made the final two miles and 1300 feet to upper Sawmill Meadow and camp by about 4:30. Set up camp and fixed supper about 6 p.m.
Next morning we were lazy and decided to stay around camp. Saw a young brown (black) bear who ran back up the hill and two deer with fawn who stayed at their "pad" on the hill above camp and didn't seem to be bothered by us. We lazed around camp and talked to two hikers who had gone up to Sawmill Lake (still mostly frozen} and a summer Ranger (who is School Teacher in Lone Pine).
Headed down the hill about 2;15 or so. Saw a large gopher, king or similar snake on the way down to the last water. Spent better part of an hour resting and waiting for the sun to get lower to make the final hike cooler. Left about 4 p.m. and had a fairly cool stroll (nice breeze) down to the car arriving about 5;15 or so. Saw more grouse/quail. Weather was outstanding and hike nice in spite of steep trail. (We decided to go on more level trail for next trip - HA!)
Sawmil Meadow Route 1980
