Re: Bench Canyon

Just did a small loop from Isberg Trailhead in the Sierra National Forest
south of the park. The loop was past Cora and Sadler Lakes to
Isberg Pass.. from there cross country up Isberg pass and then over to
Harriet Lake to spend the night. Next day up Foerster and then down
Bench Canyon to the North Fork of the San Joaquin.
From Blue Lake stayed on Ropers High Sierra Route to Twin Island Lakes
and then caught the trail.

Isberg and the trailheads starting from around Clover Meadow are quota.
When I arrived Friday morning the other THs were full already.
Beyond Sadler I saw 3 people total all the way back until I hit the Niche.
Found this somewhat puzzling due to the fact that by far the best section
was beyond Sadler and the entire N. Fork.
The N. Fork was ... well... just spectacular. If you've been up in
Goddard Canyon... it's similar to that only (to me) felt like a grander scale
perhaps due to the tighter canyon walls. I felt it was more interesting
and impressive than Bench Canyon... perhaps due to I wasn't expecting
much ... but expecting soooo much out of Bench Canyon.

Anyway, I can say more if there is interest.

A picture of Bench Canyon.


More here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/yosemite.chick.on/Harriet
(my main goal was actually seeing Harriet)

Please let me know if I am wasting my time. I'd personally like to see stuff like this.
There is sooooo much to explore out there.

Billy,
Of course you are not wasting your time posting this stuff. Don't stop.

---

Old Dude

Quote
mrcondron
Billy,
Of course you are not wasting your time posting this stuff. Don't stop.

Sentiment seconded.

Quote
szalkowski

Quote
mrcondron
Billy,
Of course you are not wasting your time posting this stuff. Don't stop.

Sentiment seconded.

Thirded

When I'm not actually out there I like to do it vicariously. Also give ideas on where to go next.

Okie. I hear ya loud and clear.

I'm like a kid in candy store. End up wanting more and more...
I can think of about 6 trips now that I want to do involving this area.

- All the way up Bench Canyon instead of via Sierra High Route
- Hang out at Twin Island - dayhike to Banner
- Loop via Rockbound Lake
- Loop up Bench up to Mt. Ansel Adams... then down the Lyell Fork
exploring the lakes in it
- Joe Crane Lake / McGee Lake / McClure Lake exploring (btw McClure should be upset with his "dam" lake)
- Isberg Pass / Post Peak Pass Loop (Porphyry Lake area is amazing area too)
- Fernandez Loop (I was told this was hugely popular)

And then do them at different times of the year...

I won't have enough time either Jim.... o well... I'll try...

When I lack the time or resources to go out myself, I look for bill's pictures...

I am sitting in the office right now living vicariously through your photos and reminiscing about my last trip through Bench Canyon back in the early 90's. I remember sitting between the Twin Island Lakes and marveling at the zen'like scene. Thanks, and please, keep posting!

Goatie,

I am sure the majority of us want to see things like this from you and many more. Issue is that those of us who have not done these routes may respond with one liners like "wow", "cool", "awesome", etc. I for one, have no issues stating inane one liners, but perhaps some feel it is not as constructive as contributing themselves and opening the discussion of a given route further.

I have used previous posts to plan a trip, and I am sure this info has huge value to others in that regard as well.


So please try not to get discouraged if many do not reply right away.

BTW, love the chick-on peak, the globe boulder, and the view of Half Dome from Forrester. Minarets too...




-L.

Billy, you get to do it almost every weekend. I get to do it once a year so you have to show me all the places I may never get to or perhaps provide incentive for new annual destinations. Keep them coming. We love it.

Thanks for your wonderful--as always--pictures and trip notes! I somewhat agree that Bench Canyon was oversold by Roper (as was Lower Mills Creek Lake, and I can't fathom why he dislikes Lake Italy...). However, when my wife and I first saw Bench Canyon it was special... it was the 4th of July weekend, there had been almost 100% snow cover from Thousand Island Lake to below Lake Catherine, the crossing of lower Twin Island Lake's outlet was very cold and deep, and we had been having thunderstorms daily. At Bench Canyon, the storms paused enough for us to enjoy a few hours of sun and warmth and set up a nice campsite south of Blue Lake Pass before the clouds opened up again.

Keep 'em coming!

Few other notes. Quite disappointed that some people had to have a fire half-way up the canyon.
I guess the good thing was that I didn't have to disperse a fire ring...
Probably they didn't read Roper... also kicked over a number of ducks too...
Always wonder the mentality of the duck builders... I'm always chucking ducks..

Saw a ranger coming out of the canyon hiking with 2 other people. He said "you probably
didn't expect to see a ranger"... to which I responded "well.. I didn't expect to see anyone... and
prefer it that way... but it's fine... want to see my permit?". He asked me if I had been in
there before and which way to go... uh... nope... but I read Roper's account and the route
is such and such... he turns around and tells his hiking buddies some other way...
o well... didn't see them again after that... and hung out at Southern Twin for about half an hour.

Even the people (they live there in a trailer) handing out permits at Clover Mdw (who were REALLY nice)
mentioned Bench Canyon to me when I got the permit. I told them I'd come back and tell
them what I thought... but they weren't working on Sunday when I got out.

O well.