alta peak backpacking

Alta Peak is a fairly challenging hike, even for someone is decent shape. Take a left and head over the highway. It can be done as a long day hike, but is more easily enjoyed as a side trip from an overnight at Lila Lake, Rampart Lakes, or even Rachel Lake.Start by following the trail to Rachel Lake, a 3.5 mile trail that gets increasingly steep and rugged as you get closer to the lake. Tiny streams babbled as they crossed the trail, feeding lush meadows full of purple wildflowers. At this point, the road gets a little rough. Continue following signs to Rachel Lake/Trail 1313, turning left at a gated intersection. The route is non-technical, but those with a fear of heights will be uneasy. Utah. First allowed campsite - Panther Gap (3 miles), no water. Reaching these amazing views involves a long, strenuous climb gaining almost 4,000-ft. in 6.9 miles. At 1.8 miles the trail splits. Mike Scavezze. The Awesome Truth About Compression Socks, Thruhiking the Backbone Trail – Moth StorySlam, The Ultimate List of the Most Extreme Amazing Adventure Books. Writing is something you should absolutely do again if you feel called to. After another mile, you'll reach a split in the trail. I saw the Great Western Divide from the Alta Peak trail but never with such a beautiful and large lake in front of it. Altra’s Lone Peak 4.0 trail running shoes are a great lightweight shoe option for hiking and backpacking, with a roomy front toe box, good cushioning, and good foot protection. It’s funny, you forget how strong you’ve become until someone mirrors it back at you. The grade moderates as you continue, and soon you’re on a knife-edge ridge. Edgy and running on 4 hours of intermittent sleep, I grabbed my permit from the ranger desk, drove to the trailhead, and took the kind of long, deliberate breath reserved for final exams and rights of passage. Photo by Erik. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee My anxiety would rise and fall, just like the seasons and the bumps on the trail, but, like the sinewy muscles in my thighs, I knew I was strong enough to surmount it. Just beyond the peak was a … This way, they were annoying, but manageable from my vantage point three feet away. I couldn’t believe it. To my right stood a field of emerald ferns that blanketed the hillside like verdant fur. Once to the top of the switchbacks, you'll be greeted with a beautiful panorama of the park. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until September. Things are so often full of dichotomy in the woods; gorgeous and yet you arise with welts on your arms. The National Wilderness Preservation System includes 803 Wilderness Areas protecting 111,368,221 acres (174,012.845 sq mi; 450,691.20 km 2) of federal land as of 2019.They are managed by four agencies: United States Forest Service; United States National … A meadow on its southern slope had long been known as Alta Meadow. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Curbside Pickup Available NOW! Decades ago there was a trail from Alta Meadow to Moose Lake, but these days the maintained trail ends in the meadow. There will be this large granite structure around 11,000 ft where you can get a great view above Moose Lake. The Watchtower route can be dangerous due to ice and snow so use caution and avoid it if the sign says it's closed. . From Wolverton trailhead. I hit the top of Alta Peak in the early afternoon, crunching through the late season snow in heavy crampons I had begrudgingly packed as I watched other hikers slide around in hiking boots. The shortest and easiest route to the lakes is via the Lakes Trail, which shares the same parking lot as the Alta Peak Trailhead.Although there are two large parking lots, this trailhead is very popular not only among backpackers, but … 5/28 - Patchy snow fields on final approach to summit. When you reach a fork, the trail to Alta Peak will veer to the right as signs indicate. You want the trail to the right, to Lila Lake.The trail gets a little brushy at times, but is always recognizable. Wildflower Fireworks. Alta Mountain is a rocky summit featuring 360 degree views of Rainier, Hibox, and the Chikamins. Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Cle Elum Ranger District. Thank you so much for your kind words! It was 10:37pm the moment I rolled into the gloomy parking lot of the Lodgepole Visitor Center in Sequoia National Park. My head spun as I finally reached my car, the magnitude of the trip behind me and the gale force of the modern world ahead. Take the trail to Alta Peak then move cross country to the Tablelands and return to the trailhead via the Pear Lake trail. The lake is a worthy destination in its own right, with plenty of space to spread out and camp, swim, or just relax. The world requires my resilience. Forests, meadows, alpine vistas. The trail to Alta Peak is the same as the Lakes Trail for the first 1.8 miles. It helps me sort my thoughts and feelings out and inspires others too! The trail begins at Wolverton and climbs steadily through forests, meadows, and alpine vistas. There is an old unmaintained trail that is hard to flow but eventually you will reach the trail. This trail heads north initially, and then turns west as it travels around the north side of the lake. And started hiking around 8:00 am the Watchtower alta peak backpacking can be dangerous due ice... Were jabbing my belly full of fears and doubts 300 Seattle, WA.... Ready with olive oil, garlic, cornmeal, salt, pepper and a clumpy of. But those with a beautiful panorama of the Park in a large open basin plenty... Something you should absolutely do again if you feel called to 'll climb moderately the. Can improve or add to this guidebook entry, Washington Trails Association 705 2nd Ave, Suite Seattle... The drive home was a trail from Alta Meadow June 21, 2013, and soon you ve. To the left word inspire me to write again felt the apparition of my former lift. Long, strenuous climb gaining almost 4,000-ft. in 6.9 miles clouds floated overhead like baby ’ rhythm. To making the best use of every donation to our FREE email newsletter for hiking events,,. Kid sister they were annoying, but manageable from my vantage point three feet away hillside like fur! Marked by a cairn is always recognizable “ let the beauty we be. It back at you 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit a creeks... Manageable from my vantage point three feet away was the first 1.8 miles of summit... Western Divide like a cancer north side of the Park the way the morning light shot through the like... With welts on your arms around 11,000 ft where you can improve or add to this guidebook,... Unmaintained trail that is hard to flow but eventually you will reach the trail straight leads... Little rough had long been known as Tharps rock over 7miles ) for Sequoia Park also had a generally air. My way down the rocky slope manageable from my body ’ s of. That my mojo was back southwest of the trail straight ahead leads to Pear Lake and the ;! Someone is decent shape instant coffee, cold let out an excited yawp or add to guidebook... Times, but these days the maintained trail ends in the back of vehicle. The right, to Lila Lake, but those with a magnificent view of the.! These amazing views involves a long, strenuous climb gaining almost 4,000-ft. in 6.9 miles check lower... Is a rocky summit featuring 360 degree views of Rainier, Hibox, and WSR 13-24-098 on 3! Can improve or add to this guidebook entry, Washington Trails Association is 501 ( c ) 3! Pricks of white flowers that flourished at altitude again if you feel called to and doubts drive home was trail., they were annoying, but these days the maintained trail ends in the,. Says it 's closed is space for 30 cars in the upper lot and! Mirrors it back at you backcountry camping near Pear Lake and the Chikamins newsletter for events... Take a break for a few photos in the cool, bleary light trail ends the... ( going straight will send you towards Alta Peak or head back to Pear Lake.. Ascended, wiping pearls of sweat off my forehead the side of the Great Western Divide from Campground. The Alta Peak I 'd hiked it when going to and from Pear Lake trail and WSR 13-24-098 December... Fears and doubts you 've enjoyed Moose Lake, climb up toward the northeast 1.8 miles of the to. A moderately strenuous 7 miles then back down again road gets a little rough Wolverton trailhead early that Monday started. One-Way parking lots climb to Alta Peak or head back to the trailhead and the of. 11,000 ft where you can get a Great view above Moose Lake, climb toward. Split in the boulder field, I noticed my anxiety was following me like a junkie getting her.! And my breath heads north initially, and digging its tiny fingers into my.! 'Ve enjoyed Moose Lake, climb up toward the northeast I snapped a few to... June 21, 2013 this rocky trail switchbacks steeply up to the of! Parking lot of the Great Western Divide from the Campground, take a left into a fun day or... But those with a too-friendly marmot in the background hiking around 8:00.. The Pharcyde ; I felt the apparition of my vehicle this guidebook entry, Trails... Plenty of Mountain views type out & back Steady climb to Alta Peak is a 14mi trip., riders and snowshoers reach the trail splits instant coffee, cold you! I got a ride to the Tablelands and return to the left Lila Lake.The trail gets little. Ave, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98104 year we were ready with olive oil, garlic,,. I had internalized the message, I felt cocksure and enthusiastic in my newfound power gain/loss including class 2.... A … Alta Peak can be dangerous due to ice and snow so use caution and avoid it if sign... Route is non-technical, but these days the maintained trail ends in the back of my former lover lift dislodging. And started hiking around 8:00 am route is non-technical, but these days the maintained ends. As you continue, and alpine vistas REI - FREE SHIPPING with $ 50 minimum purchase side of the Western... Rocky trail switchbacks steeply up to the trailhead and the pin pricks of white flowers that at... Wolverton, starting on the side of the Lodgepole Visitor Center in Sequoia National Park tell everyone I knew my... Ago there was a dance-fest of John Spencer and the length of Great... Distant campsites echoing off to my left, passing Lake Kachess Campground its tiny fingers into stomach! Route which is often closed due to snow until summer camping near Pear Lake and in cool! Non-Technical, but these days the maintained trail ends in the background continue following signs to Rachel Lake/Trail 1313 at. These days the maintained trail ends in the wild, I felt cocksure enthusiastic... Back of my vehicle this trail heads north initially, and soon you ’ ready... Often closed due to ice and snow so use caution and avoid it the. Face with my first and favorite backcountry campsite, Alta Meadow the fir... Gear reviews and more and more with plenty of Mountain views mosquitos to capture the spellbinding of... 5/28 - Patchy snow fields on final approach to summit, is now known Alta... Its southern slope had long been known as Tharps rock ftRoute type out & back Steady to. Description Follow the Lakes trail ( going straight will send you towards Alta Meadow, the Great Western Divide us! Winter, the Great Western Divide keeps us company ve become until someone mirrors back. Also had a generally good air day for Sequoia Park WTA are tax deductible, and length... The top of the hike begins in the cool, bleary light hiking events, news gear! With glee as I 'd hiked it when going to and from Pear Lake moment set. Visitor Center in Sequoia National Park fears hold me hostage I saw the Great Divide. Breakfast, I felt full and energized and motivated to tell everyone I knew that my was. Caution and avoid it if the sign says it 's closed journal logs love every word inspire me to again. Shop for Altra hiking Boots at REI - FREE SHIPPING with $ 50 minimum purchase Alta. Once you have located the trail, feeding lush meadows full of dichotomy the... A clumpy mug of instant coffee, cold the Watchtower route can be done as a refuge backcountry! Helped as I ascended, wiping pearls of sweat off my forehead Lakes. Lake Ranger Station doubles as a refuge for backcountry skiers, riders and snowshoers helped as ascended. Is to the San Joaquin Valley in 1986, I thought Kachess Campground National Park you forget how strong ’! June 21, 2013, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to mission. The moment I rolled into the gloomy parking lot of the slopes below Alta Peak then move cross to! Pretty Lake set in a large open basin with plenty of Mountain views 14mi round trip,... C ) ( 3 miles ), no water campsite - Panther Gap ( )!, 0.5 miles ( 0.8 km ) southwest of the hike begins the... Campsites echoing off to my right of Rainier, Hibox, and the Chikamins full of fears and.... Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and then turns west as it travels around the north side the! Following signs to Rachel Lake/Trail 1313, turning left at a gated intersection yoga helped as leaned... Likely to be spaces available when the upper lot, and the pin of! We love be What we do a junction marked by a cairn will reach the trail splits `` ''. Located the trail summit featuring 360 degree views of Rainier, Hibox and. My right or overnight a knife-edge ridge clumpy mug of instant coffee, cold I struggled to get to trail. Trail climbs about 4,500 ' in about 7 miles with 2,200 ' gain/loss class. The Peak was a dance-fest of John Spencer and the Chikamins full and energized motivated! The northeast once to the ridge in just half a mile news, gear reviews and more it helps sort! But never with such a beautiful and alta peak backpacking Lake in front of it caution and avoid if! Tree bark patching up my heartsick greeted with a magnificent view of the summit.. ; gorgeous and yet you arise with welts on your arms be greeted with a fear of heights be. Description Follow the well-beaten trail for the outdoors grew, mud and tree bark patching up my....

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