Apr 30, South Lake , Sierra
4/15/10
US elsewhere
1787
3
The South Lake area, just outside of Bishop CA, was a place that stuck out in my memory as delivering easy high-altitude access to several peaks, bowls and chutes just off the Sierra crest. The trailhead starts high (just under 10k) and typically gets plowed in the spring to aid fishing access. Strangely, we were thinking that we could use this outing as a 'rest day despite the altitude and the endless skiing options. After lapping Punta Bardini in April pow the day before, we were a bit fatigued. But apparently still full of ambition. Telling ourselves that wed 'take it easy and just do some touring¦ was probably a way to get our tired selves out of the car and on to what we knew would be some great terrain.
We slogged up the road for about a mile to the lake, then followed its eastern shore towards the peaks. The lake level was down by at least 50-60 ft from full depth. There was at least one old snag with a fat red marker buoy hanging off of it waaaay up in the air. It looked like a giant location pin, like someone had dropped it there using Google Maps (we ski here¦).
Heading past the lake, we chose the 'obvious drainage leading towards the basin wed chosen for the day. But we soon found ourselves weaving in and out of granite shelves and benches, making a lot more lateral progress than upward progress. Finally, we worked our way out of the maze and onto an open bench at 10.7k. A perfect spot for lunch.
Fueling up helped immensely. We started up a rib that offered the safest access to the terrain above. Andyrew booted past a steeper section and I followed. Once on top of the boot pack we made fast progress to the top of a bowl at about 11.5k. When we reached the head of the bowl we dug a pit, discussed the results, and had another look at our line, which was basically right down the gut of the bowl. Perfect.
Things just got easier from there. We were only one run in, but at least we felt like the day was becoming a worthwhile investment and our energy levels were rising. Wed also had a better look at the terrain from above and decided to contour around to the ESE, just under Mt Hurd. Mt Hurd is another incredible ski peak check out the E face some time.
Contouring around the toe of Hurd was a good call. We skated across 2 small lakes, made a short climb up a sub-ridge of Hurd, and found ourselves on top of another bowl that led right back to the lake. Why didnt we come this way in the first place?!? We made fast big turns all the way back to the lake and started the slog back out to the road and the car (aka the 'hate skate¦but it ended with cold beers, so I guess it wasn't so hateful...).
A great day in some spectacular terrain. Not bad for a rest day.
We slogged up the road for about a mile to the lake, then followed its eastern shore towards the peaks. The lake level was down by at least 50-60 ft from full depth. There was at least one old snag with a fat red marker buoy hanging off of it waaaay up in the air. It looked like a giant location pin, like someone had dropped it there using Google Maps (we ski here¦).
Heading past the lake, we chose the 'obvious drainage leading towards the basin wed chosen for the day. But we soon found ourselves weaving in and out of granite shelves and benches, making a lot more lateral progress than upward progress. Finally, we worked our way out of the maze and onto an open bench at 10.7k. A perfect spot for lunch.
Fueling up helped immensely. We started up a rib that offered the safest access to the terrain above. Andyrew booted past a steeper section and I followed. Once on top of the boot pack we made fast progress to the top of a bowl at about 11.5k. When we reached the head of the bowl we dug a pit, discussed the results, and had another look at our line, which was basically right down the gut of the bowl. Perfect.
Things just got easier from there. We were only one run in, but at least we felt like the day was becoming a worthwhile investment and our energy levels were rising. Wed also had a better look at the terrain from above and decided to contour around to the ESE, just under Mt Hurd. Mt Hurd is another incredible ski peak check out the E face some time.
Contouring around the toe of Hurd was a good call. We skated across 2 small lakes, made a short climb up a sub-ridge of Hurd, and found ourselves on top of another bowl that led right back to the lake. Why didnt we come this way in the first place?!? We made fast big turns all the way back to the lake and started the slog back out to the road and the car (aka the 'hate skate¦but it ended with cold beers, so I guess it wasn't so hateful...).
A great day in some spectacular terrain. Not bad for a rest day.
Nice TR and photos. We drove up toward South Lake last week and it was plowed to Parchers. Being seniors, we wait until the plows reach the TH parking area. As you realized, there are many routes in the area. Ski Mountaineer is an excellent tour once the road iis plowed.
Thanks Zap. Hopefully they will clear the road all the way to the lake soon.
We actually talked to a guy in the parking lot who was a part time plow driver and he tried to convince the county road crew that drove by to let him "drop that blade and start pushing" all the way up to the lake. He chose to ski the Parcher's run instead of following the road. A wise choice!
That Parcher's run is very worthwhile if you haven't done it (though it sounds like you probably have...). Following that drainage up past Brown and Green lakes leads to more stupendous terrain and you can follow the bowls all the way up to a ridge at close to 13k, with stupendous views of Cloud Ripper peak and the northern edge of the Palisades.
The show just goes on in the Sierra. Have fun down there.
We actually talked to a guy in the parking lot who was a part time plow driver and he tried to convince the county road crew that drove by to let him "drop that blade and start pushing" all the way up to the lake. He chose to ski the Parcher's run instead of following the road. A wise choice!
That Parcher's run is very worthwhile if you haven't done it (though it sounds like you probably have...). Following that drainage up past Brown and Green lakes leads to more stupendous terrain and you can follow the bowls all the way up to a ridge at close to 13k, with stupendous views of Cloud Ripper peak and the northern edge of the Palisades.
The show just goes on in the Sierra. Have fun down there.
author=JimH link=topic=16592.msg69525#msg69525 date=1273264019]
That Parcher's run is very worthwhile if you haven't done it (though it sounds like you probably have...). Following that drainage up past Brown and Green lakes leads to more stupendous terrain and you can follow the bowls all the way up to a ridge at close to 13k, with stupendous views of Cloud Ripper peak and the northern edge of the Palisades.
The show just goes on in the Sierra. Have fun down there.
Glad that you toured up Parchers and beyond. Jill and I did a lower elevation tour there a couple of years ago. The road closures are nice at times because it encourages you to tour to areas that are not listed in the guidebooks. It's great to "find" new places. We enjoy reading TR from The Sierra. There is so much terrain and so few folks touring. Sun and corn snow with hot springs to soak and relive the days adventure. 8)
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