Sequoia National Park, 18-25 July 2009

Ever since my cross-country trip in the Rainbow Plateau the previous year, I wanted to do another week-long cross-country trip. It had to be self-guided since I couldn't afford another guided trip. After reading some fine reports from travelers through the Tableland and Kaweah Basin areas, planned to spend a week there.

I had very little XC experience, so my perspective, as well as my mistakes, are those of a beginner. My friend Laura was to join me for the first three days then split off for an early return. Laura had much more experience backpacking than I do, but not when it comes to this kind of trip. I figured that as long as we don't get in over our heads, we'd be all right.

From the start, we had to adjust our plans. But I was prepared for that.

EasyNeat

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  1. Alta Peak from Alta Trail (31 Jul 2009)

  2. Great Western Divide (31 Jul 2009)

  3. Alta Meadow (31 Jul 2009)

  4. Talus (31 Jul 2009)

  5. Call it a day (31 Jul 2009)

  6. Day One's Camp (31 Jul 2009)

  7. More Lakes (31 Jul 2009)

  8. Moose Lake, finally (31 Jul 2009)

  9. Fin above Moose Lake (31 Jul 2009)

  10. Tableland terrain (31 Jul 2009)

  11. Slow and steady on the slabs (31 Jul 2009)

  12. Slab litter (31 Jul 2009)

  13. Moose Lake from the northwest (31 Jul 2009)

  14. Storms (31 Jul 2009)

  15. Wild flowers in the rocks (31 Jul 2009)

  16. Tableland ridges (31 Jul 2009)

  17. Peak by Thunder and Lightning Pass (31 Jul 2009)

  18. Thunder and Lightning Pass (31 Jul 2009)

  19. Looking toward Lonely Lake (31 Jul 2009)

  20. Storm to the south (31 Jul 2009)

  21. Storm over Kaweah Basin (31 Jul 2009)

  22. Meadow flowers (31 Jul 2009)

  23. Flowers on rock (31 Jul 2009)

  24. Lonely Lake (31 Jul 2009)

  25. Evening at Lonely Lake (31 Jul 2009)

  26. Snow on Coppermine Pass (31 Jul 2009)

  27. Unknown lake (31 Jul 2009)

  28. Moi (31 Jul 2009)

  29. Shark fin (31 Jul 2009)

  30. Elizabeth Pass (31 Jul 2009)

  31. Varied layers (31 Jul 2009)

  32. Close up of steep slabs (31 Jul 2009)

  33. Cloud column over Kaweah Basin (31 Jul 2009)

  34. Waterfalls (31 Jul 2009)

  35. Refreshing shower (31 Jul 2009)

  36. Top of switchbacks (31 Jul 2009)

  37. Overgrown trail (31 Jul 2009)

  38. Inverted udders (31 Jul 2009)

  39. Cliff towers from unnamed Lake (31 Jul 2009)

  40. Spoons (31 Jul 2009)

  41. Pants Pass: a first impression (31 Jul 2009)

  42. Forgotten snow patch (31 Jul 2009)

  43. Downhill to Nine Lake Basin (31 Jul 2009)

  44. Snow patch (31 Jul 2009)

  45. Scree footing (31 Jul 2009)

  46. Foxtail pines by the HST (31 Jul 2009)

  47. South side of Mt. Kaweah (31 Jul 2009)

  48. Scraggly foxtail pine (31 Jul 2009)

  49. Pants Pass again (31 Jul 2009)

  50. Precipice Lake #1 (31 Jul 2009)

  51. Precipice Lake #2 (lunch break) (31 Jul 2009)

  52. Precipice Lake #3 (31 Jul 2009)

  53. Precipice Lake #4 (31 Jul 2009)

  54. Precipice Lake #5 (31 Jul 2009)

  55. Precipice Lake #6 (31 Jul 2009)

  56. Alta Meadow from Precipice Lake (31 Jul 2009)

  57. Day three's lake (31 Jul 2009)

  58. Tunnel (31 Jul 2009)

  59. Trail construction (31 Jul 2009)

  60. It was tough work (31 Jul 2009)

  61. It was dangerous work (31 Jul 2009)

  62. Blue bellied lizard (31 Jul 2009)

  63. Lake Hamilton (31 Jul 2009)

  64. Traffic lanes (31 Jul 2009)

  65. East view from Thunder and Lightning (31 Jul 2009)

  66. Cliffs over Big Bird Lake (31 Jul 2009)

  67. Lakes above Big Bird (31 Jul 2009)

  68. Second lake above Big Bird (31 Jul 2009)

  69. East end of second lake (31 Jul 2009)

  70. Steep cliffs south of second lake (31 Jul 2009)

  71. First lake above Big Bird (31 Jul 2009)

  72. Slabs above Big Bird Lake (31 Jul 2009)

  73. Lake north of Big Bird Lakes (31 Jul 2009)

  74. Pile of rocks I just climbed (31 Jul 2009)

  75. Dinner and a show (31 Jul 2009)

  76. Golden light (31 Jul 2009)

  77. Ridges and mountains (31 Jul 2009)

  78. Crescent moon (31 Jul 2009)

  79. Tableland lakes reflections (31 Jul 2009)

  80. Crescent moon #2 (31 Jul 2009)

  81. Third lake above Big Bird (31 Jul 2009)

  82. Remaining lake shore snow (31 Jul 2009)

  83. Snow and reflection (31 Jul 2009)

  84. Third lake's outlet (31 Jul 2009)

  85. Descent to Big Bird (31 Jul 2009)

  86. Route down (31 Jul 2009)

  87. North along Dead Man Canyon (31 Jul 2009)

  88. Southern view in Dead Man Canyon (31 Jul 2009)

  89. Elizabeth Pass Trail (31 Jul 2009)

  90. Overhead rainbow (31 Jul 2009)

  91. Toward Coppermine Pass (31 Jul 2009)

  92. Mining artifacts (31 Jul 2009)

  93. Metal gear (31 Jul 2009)

  94. Turning around (31 Jul 2009)

  95. Red meat (31 Jul 2009)

  96. Over to Lonely Lake (31 Jul 2009)

  97. Valley camp site (31 Jul 2009)

  98. Stake dinner (31 Jul 2009)

  99. Unnamed lake in Tableland (31 Jul 2009)

  100. Club Med? (31 Jul 2009)

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