So, anyway, after a nice stroll up the Kibbie and Styx Pass trail, then along Kibbie Ridge, we descended to the location that the survey notes Bearproof had uncovered indicated it should be. As we got closer, the pink bird was excited to be the first to see it, right where we thought it should be. It was, in fact, very well marked.
"Inconceivable!"
We were of course all happy that we'd found the marker so quickly--we would have much more time to hang out and check out Kibbie Lake. So, after a bit of a celebration and in good spirits, we headed down to Kibbie Lake.
"That is the sound of ultimate suffering... The man in pink makes it now."
After locating a suitable campsite at Kibbie Lake, we set up our tents then headed up-breeze to the outlet, where a small granite peninsula provided the perfect launch location for the Kibbie Lake armada.
The breeze generally pushed us north as we headed along the east shore of the lake, taking pictures and just hanging out.
The new Supai Adventure Gear Matkat boat--supposedly the first in the United States--proved to be very yar, as was the slightly smaller Canyon Flatwater. Even with hand paddes and slightly choppy water it didn't take much effort to build up a bit of speed across the water. As for the pink-laden "Blue Bomber"... not so much.
"I don't think he is using the same wind we are using..."
I ended up hand-paddling for a bit over two miles, checking out the two coves on the east side of the lake before a final into-the-wind sprint back to camp. The boat provided for a perspective of the lake's cliffs not available from land--well worth the extra 2+ lbs of pack weight.
At camp, we had plenty of time to hang out and enjoy our company, some wine, the sunset, and some good ol' ribbing.
Our next day's itinerary was a lot more ambitious: up to Kibbie Ridge, then past Mercur Lake, down into Cherry Creek Canyon, and finally down to the bottom of Cherry Bomb Gorge at a place informally called "Flintstone". The cross-country trek back to the Styx Pass trail was mostly pleasant, with just a bit of shrubby goodness at the end.
We took a slight detour to visit Monument 59--the first one I had stumbled across a few years ago.
After stopping to fill up on water at Sachse Spring, we checked out the snow survey cabin, then headed north towards an old abandoned trail that leads to Mercur Lake.
Along the trail we got our first glimpses of "Mercur Ridge" and the heart of Cherry Creek Canyon.
Just before dropping to Mercur Lake we encountered the only significant snow of the entire trip--fortunately, soft enough to gain good footing, but consolidated enough that postholing was rarely an issue.
The sky was clear and there was a decent breeze; so far the possible showers mentioned in the forecast looked like they may not materialize.
After eating at the lake, we headed up to the top of "Mercur Ridge", a broad expanse of granite with excellent views into Cherry Creek Canyon and many high points in both Yosemite and the Emigrant Wilderness.
There was little snow on the distant peaks, and Cherry Creek's low level was not surprising.
We took many pictures while wandering westward along the ridge, then started our long descent into Cherry Creek Canyon.
The way down was long but mostly straightforward, with a few sections of steep granite that pushed the limits of our shoes' soles--and our trust in them.
By this time we could see the twin domes that surround Cherry Bomb Gorge--our destination was just beyond.
The forecast clouds were building rapidly, and we knew we still had a lot of intricate cross-country travel before our destination.
Our progress to the canyon bottom was slow and steady--long sections of open, if not steep, granite punctuated by various route finding challenges.
Finally, only few final minor obstacles remained between us and the creek itself.
Once at water level we took a well-deserved rest--and, for some, a soak in cool, refreshing water.
The clouds were appearing a bit more threatening, so we continued down creek a bit before leaving the creek at the traditional Schiffren route location.
We had a few brushy sections to push through.
"We know the secrets of Cherry Creek Canyon. We lived there quite happily for some time. So whenever you feel like shrubbery, feel free to visit."
Fortunately, they were short, and punctuated with excellent views and wonderful open granite.
After the final brush thwack...
...we sought out the first descent campsite--a bit short of our original goal, but still a wonderful setting.
The wind was strong enough that after setting up camp, we sought out a sheltered location for dinner.
It had been a long day, but well worth it!
The next morning, after breakfast and breaking camp, we checked out a nearby view of the pool in upper Cherry Bomb Gorge.
"If you're in such a hurry, you could lower a rope, or a tree branch, or find something useful to do."
After slowly and carefully heading down as far as we dared, we headed back up and over the east dome, then descended to a small ledge overlooking Cherry Bomb Gorge, where we reunited with the others in our group.
After hanging out on this ledge for a bit, we continued the descent to "Flintstone", named for rock-constructed camp "furniture" that once graced the area. The forest service restored the area several years ago, and fortunately little stone-age furniture has re-appeared. From here we could see the final few "teacups" at the bottom of Cherry Bomb Gorge, spilling into a large pool.
From Flintstone, there are two "regular" routes to the Shingle Springs trailhead: down the creek, passing under the "chockstone", or up to Mastadome, then up a steep, wooded hill to Lookout Point and the Styx Pass trail. We, of course, went with option C.
The south side of Mastadome looked like it had a few interesting routes--a broad ledge that looked tricky to get to, and a lower, much narrower and exposed ledge that appeared to end prematurely.
After another section of butt-sliding and bushwhacking, we headed up steep, open granite as we ascended towards the top of Kibbie Ridge.
Just past a "mossy green slabs" section reminiscent of similar slabs near Shingle Springs, we stopped for lunch.
The up-down-up had been strenuous, and nourishment was welcome.
"It is odorless, tasteless, and ... is among the more deadly poisons known to man." It's also inconceivable that there are some people who don't like The Princess Bride. Yet we still hike with them...
The clouds were forming sooner today, and we soon were heading up again towards the ridge.
For awhile, we continued up steep, open granite, but that ended short of the top of the ridge.
We traversed a bit across some blocky granite before reaching a steep gully.
From the gully we had to climb up steep terrain, punctuated by shrubbery and fallen logs.
After awhile, we reached more gentle terrain--the top of the ridge was near.
Unfortunately, so too were the storm clouds.
Once we could see Cherry Lake we knew we were getting close.
After a short stroll through open forest--cleared by the recent Rim Fire of underbrush--we were back on the Styx Pass trail. The descent to the trailhead was uneventful--except that we stayed dry.
At the car we met a group of would-be kayakers asking about Cherry Creek conditions--we informed them that it was unlikely this would be an even good year to boat the creek, and there wasn't really enough snow left to create a "spring" runoff. (It's unbelievable that people actually haul watercraft into the backcountry...) However, the low water will make Cherry Creek more approachable for those who prefer to visit it on foot.
Overall, we had a great trip and were able to introduce someone new to this spectacular corner of Yosemite (and should-be-in-Yosemite).
More Pictures
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2015 07:29AM by basilbop.
