The Upper Kern is the favorite place of many experienced backpackers. We will find out why. This access route avoids climbing up Shepherd Pass from the east and Forrester Pass from the south. It also avoids significant backtracking and has an easy all east-side car shuttle. East-side access via Kearsarge Pass is a day quicker, much less vertical, and an easier drive than the west-side access from Cedar Grove. Except for the east-side access entrance and exit points, most of this trip is above 10000 feet.
Monday, August 3
Drive to Symmes Creek trailhead, leave two cars (high clearance only, 4×4 recommended).
Drive Onion Valley Campground, trailhead BBQ, carcamp.
Tuesday, August 4
Park at trailhead.
Via Kearsarge Pass, hike to Kearsarge Lakes (bear boxes and bears!), camp.
Wednesday, August 5
Via JMT, hike to Center Basin Trail Jct. (bear box), camp.
Thursday, August 6
Via Forrester Pass, hike to Tyndall Creek, (bear box) camp.
Friday, August 7
Hike to Upper Kern via cut-off trail,
basecamp at a lake south of Lake South America.
Saturday, August 8
Layover day: explore the lakes of the Upper Kern Basin.
Sunday, August 9
Via Shepherd Pass hike to Anvil Camp, camp.
Monday, August 10
Hike out to Symmes Creek, fetch vehicle(s) at Onion Valley, hotel and Roberto’s in Mammoth.
Tuesday, August 11
Drive home.
(Thursday, August 13
Dan’s birthday.)
