Kaweah Basin 2020

Junction Meadow to lower Kaweah Basin

Monday, August 24, 2020

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The first of our off-trail today as we left the trail in the Kern-Kaweah River canyon and followed the drainage up the outlet stream from Kaweah Basin (which isn't named on the map).  We took a different route out of the basin for variety.  I would say our route in was probably a bit more difficult than our route out, although that could be clouded by the uphill vs. downhill difference.  The map on this page shows all of our off-trail route (today through early Thursday) in and out of Kaweah Basin.


We had originally planned to visit another area just to the south, sometimes called "Red Spur Basin," primarily for the views that it might have to the Sierra Crest.  We opted out of that due to the extra effort and the smoke in the air that day.  Next morning we were paid back for that decision with some awesome reflections of the Kaweah range in the lake we camped at (Camp 4 on the map).


Journal Entry:  No more storm yesterday, but had some on-and-off sprinkles 2:30-7:30am or so.  Started hiking 7:45, first part up the Colby Pass trail, a bit overgrrown in spots but easy to follow.  Left the trail at 9200 ft. and headed up the Kaweah Basin outlet creek, on the east side.  Some challenging sections to get through, but we made it to the lower lake without major incident.  Continued on to the next lake, just as challenging.  Made it at 2:00 or so.  Decided not to continue to Red Spur Basin and just skip that part.  Smoke has been around since late morning, obscuring longer range views.  Hoping that it clears.  We can smell smoke and some ash has been landing on things.  We saw nobody since Junction Meadow.  Some clouds but no rain or thunder yet at 4pm.  Tomorrow should be an easy day into upper Kaweah Basin.





uphill out of Junction Meadow, trail goes on the right

trail up a bit higher

view back toward Junction Meadow

view up canyon

view back

the valley we were headed for

ascent to Kaweah Basin off trail

first lake at 10133 ft.

Ron at the first lake

smoky view back down to the first lake

second lake at 10583 ft, Kaweahs in smoky haze beyond

Kaweahs over second lake with smoke clearing

Kaweahs over second lake

second lake and ridge to the south


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