(2014-July 13-15) Onion Valley to Rae Lakes. Kings Canyon National Park, California.
Left Onion Valley at about 1300 hours and made it up and over Kearsarge Pass by 1500 hours. Was actually planning on taking it easy and only going as far as Heart Lake or even Flower Lake, but I was feeling strong and decided to camp near a large tarn between the Kearsarge Lakes and Bullfrog Lake. The evening was nothing special (photographically), however the morning was beautiful!! Clouds began approaching from the south and made for a nice sunrise. Captured some great shots at the northern most Kearsarge Lake and then headed for the Rae Lakes Basin.
The weather progressively turned wet and made for a windy and rainy Glen Pass summit. I actually hunkered down on the south side of the Pass because I was hoping there would be a break in the weather for photos. I was right!!! After about an hour or so, the weather let up and made for a beautiful view from the Pass. Hiked down to the Rae Lakes Basin and set up camp. Plan was to head up to the Sixty Lake Basin and then Gardiner in the morning, however it rained all morning and didn't let up until the late afternoon. basically a day shot and spent in the tent.
The following day, I hiked toward Arrowhead Lake and was turned back because of the ominous cloud cover. As soon as I made it back to camp, the rain came down again!!! The rain let up at about 1100 hours and I decided to make the long haul back to Onion Valley (rain or shine) because this trip really wasn't panning out for me. I always plan on going to places I have never been each trip (Gardiner Basin) however, this one just didn't work out. Still a great time and some of the most beautiful places in the Sierra with great photographic weather in between storms.
Read MoreThe weather progressively turned wet and made for a windy and rainy Glen Pass summit. I actually hunkered down on the south side of the Pass because I was hoping there would be a break in the weather for photos. I was right!!! After about an hour or so, the weather let up and made for a beautiful view from the Pass. Hiked down to the Rae Lakes Basin and set up camp. Plan was to head up to the Sixty Lake Basin and then Gardiner in the morning, however it rained all morning and didn't let up until the late afternoon. basically a day shot and spent in the tent.
The following day, I hiked toward Arrowhead Lake and was turned back because of the ominous cloud cover. As soon as I made it back to camp, the rain came down again!!! The rain let up at about 1100 hours and I decided to make the long haul back to Onion Valley (rain or shine) because this trip really wasn't panning out for me. I always plan on going to places I have never been each trip (Gardiner Basin) however, this one just didn't work out. Still a great time and some of the most beautiful places in the Sierra with great photographic weather in between storms.
