Map shows the approximate routes of the two winter trips to the Pear Lake area. I say "approximate" because what is shown here is the summer trail while the winter ski/snowshoe trail is slightly different. The BLUE route is the 1964 route and the 1973 first day route to Heather Gap aka The Hump. The RED route is the 1973 route after the first day. The BLACK dashed routes are the day trips toward Alta Peak. Click for more information on the Pear Lake Winter Hut and here. Information on the ski trail route here.
The Pear Lake Ski Hut (also known as Pear Lake Winter Hut) was built in Sequoia National Park by the Civilian Conservation Corps during 1939-1941 using local Sierra granite and timber materials. It is an example of the National Park Service Rustic style, using rough masonry and a log roof structure.
The hut is located in the high Sierra east of Lodgepole, and 3/8 of a mile north of Pear Lake at 9,200 feet and is reached by ascending a steep six miles of trail from Wolverton Meadow (7,200 feet). It has been said to be "one of the most environmentally successful alpine structures ever designed by the NPS".
The Pear Lake Ski Hut is open to the public in the winter between December and April and advanced reservations are required. The hut sleeps up to 10 guests, has a separate quarters upstairs for a hut keeper and is heated by a wood pellet stove. In addition to serving as a wintertime ski hut, the structure serves as a Ranger Station for the busy Pear Lake Basin during summer months.
On December 31, 1964-January 2, 1965 Explorer Post 360 with 15 boys and 4 men snowshoed on an 11 mile round trip from the Wolverton parking lot in Sequoia National Park to the ridge above Heather Lake (aka Heather Gap). It took 6 1/2 hours including lunch to get to camp.
After breakfast at Giant Forest Coffee Shop we got on the trail about 10 a.m. in light snow. We followed the ski trail from the Wolverton parking lot for 4 miles to the ridge above Heather Lake and made camp just over the ridge as the weather cleared.
Snowshoeing on the Pear Lake Ski Trail near camp on ridge
Sequoia National Park 1964
Clearing weather on the Pear Lake Ski Trail
Sequoia National Park 1964
Clearing weather on the Pear Lake Ski Trail
Sequoia National Park 1964
Last light near ridge camp on Pear Lake Ski Trail
Sequoia National Park 1964
Sun setting near ridge camp on Pear Lake Ski Trail
Sequoia National Park 1964
Friday was beautiful - clear and sunny after overnight low of -3° or more (-6° at Giant Forest). We climbed 1.5 miles to a highpoint at 10,400' near Alta Peak - beautiful views.
Morning at Heather Gap camp
Sequoia National Park 1965
Happy New Year 1965; Morning at Heather Gap camp
on Pear Lake Ski Trail - Sequoia National Park 1965
Morning at Heather Gap camp
Sequoia National Park 1965
Camp at Heather Gap
Sequoia National Park 1965
Camp at Heather Gap
Sequoia National Park 1965
View from Heather Gap camp
Sequoia National Park 1965
View from Heather Gap camp - Sequoia National Park 1965
On the trail on day trip toward Alta Peak
Sequoia National Park 1965
On the trail on day trip toward Alta Peak
Sequoia National Park 1965
Taking a breather on the way toward Alta Peak
Sequoia National Park 1965
View of the valley on the way toward Alta Peak
Sequoia National Park 1965
Climbing slope on way toward Alta Peak
Sequoia National Park1965
Climbing slope on way toward Alta Peak
Sequoia National Park 1965
Climbing slope on way toward Alta Peak
Sequoia National Park1965
Nearing the ridge on way toward Alta Peak
Sequoia National Park 1965
Nearing the ridge on way toward Alta Peak
Sequoia National Park 1965
Approaching the ridge on way toward Alta Peak
Sequoia National Park 1965
Alta Peak from 10,400' on ridge
Sequoia National Park 1965
Chris Mayer with Alta Peak behind
Sequoia National Park 1965
Don Deck with Alta Peak behind
Sequoia National Park 1965
View from 10,400' on ridge near Alta Peak - Sequoia National Park 1965
Great Western Divide - North Guard, Brewer, South Guard,
Thunder, Table, etc. - Sequoia National Park 1965
Chris Mayer with Alta Peak behind
Sequoia National Park 1965
Tharps Rock
Sequoia National Park 1965
Packing up ready to head out
Sequoia National Park 1965
On Saturday we got out of camp at 10 a.m. with overcast increasing. Going out took 1 1/2 hours. Drove home.Good trip.
Camp broken, ready to head out
Sequoia National Park 1965
On the way out
Sequoia National Park 1965
On November 22-25, 1973 myself, John Smallwood, Nancy Henderson, Karl Kohagen, Dan Curley, Dale McCauley and Shep Gilchrist skied/snowshoed twelve miles round trip to the Pear Lake Ski Hut. We left San Diego about 5 p.m. and arrived at Kaweah Lake campground about 12:30 a.m. going via 4 corners. After breakfast at the car we headed up the hill - put on chains about 2/3 of the way and got on the trail about 9 a.m. after getting gas at Lodgepole and checking with ranger.
After about a mile and a half, Shep broke one of his skis (TRAC) and so went back to the car to get an extra pair. The rest of us ate lunch and continued up the ski trail. We arrived at Heather Gap about 3 p.m. and made camp - Shep arrived about 3:30 or so.
Sking up the hill on Pear Lake Ski Trail
Sequoia National Park - 1973
Breaking camp at Heather Gap on Pear Lake Ski Trail
Sequoia National Park 1973
Heather Lake on the way in
Sequoia National Park 1973
On Friday morning we continued down to Heather Lake and on to Emerald Lake with great views. The trail involved some up and some down but nothing particularly difficult. On to Pear Lake where we ate lunch.
Dale went to the Pear Lake Ski Hut and managed to get in through a window, so we all moved to the cabin getting all settled about 3 p.m. when in comes 5 people in a family (Les Wilson from Berkeley area) who have reservations. Three of us moved to the attic and enjoyed pleasant evening of fellowship, etc.
Alta Peak above Emerald Lake
Sequoia National Park 1973
Tableland and Valley above Pear Lake Valley
Sequoia National Park 1973
Emerald Lake basin, Alta Peak
Sequoia National Park 1973
Water stop at Emerald Lake
Sequoia National Park 1973
Aster Lake
Sequoia National Park 1973
Pear Lake valley
Sequoia National Park 1973
Pear Lake Valley
Sequoia National Park 1973
Pear Lake Ski Hut
Sequoia National Park 1973
Iciicles between Emerald and Pear Lakes
Sequoia National Park 1973
Watch Tower, Lodgepole Valley
Sequoia National Park 1973
On Saturday morning Dale went up to Pear Lake and skied back and forth six times. Karl and Shep went with the family up onto the Tableland on skis and got some great views. John, Nancy, Dan and I went over to Emerald Lake - set up camp partially - and started out to climb Alta Peak.
Slopes north of Pear Lake Ski Hut
Sequoia National Park 1973
Approaching Emerald and Aster Lakes going South
Sequoia National Park 1973
Our camp at Emerald Lake
Sequoia National Park 19733
Looking toward Pear Lake from Heather Gap on the way out
Sequoia National Park 197
As we reached the ridge (they reached the ridge, I stopped just below) it started snowing so after some dinking around, we turned back and spent the afternoon laying around camp. The skiers arrived later and we made supper, etc.
Sunday morning, after breakfast we had a pleasant trip out to the car. The skiers got some ski runs in - including quite a bit of "crashing and burning". The Wilson family skied out intermingled with us. Dale broke a cable about a mile and a half from the road. We were all at the car by noon and had a pleasant trip home - arriving about 9 p.m. Great Trip.