Exploration, Kaiser Wilderness!

Which way to George Lake...?

11:00AM After filling out first-come first-serve Backcountry Permits at the Ranger Station, Teammate Christian buys a local map with more detail on the route they plan to take. While buying the map and some souvenir patches and stickers, talk turns to the weather.

A dilemma faces them: the friendly Ranger warns about some backpackers who just ran into snow up above 9'000 feet - the Team intends to base camp at 8,000 feet and then hike to George Lake at 9'000 feet. 

After a quick team meeting, the group decides to stick to Plan A: BC at 8,000ft, day hike to George Lake. They also agree: at the first sight of snow or heavy weather, they return to Huntington Lake and get a spot at Kinikikik campground. They let the friendly Ranger know their intentions, remember to keep  a copy of their permit, and get pointed up the road to the Potter Pass Trailhead. 

11:15AM The team reaches the Potter Pass Trailhead. There is a dirt area to park in, and there were two other cars that one can assume belonged to day hikers or fellow backpackers. They find the trailhead on the map, take one last look at civilization and wish each other a swell journey. 

Teammates Adrian and Mac share A Sturdy Handshake before heading off! 

Tip: Remember to get weather updates from the Rangers and be honest with them. They may have a better and easier trail they can recommend if you give them a rundown of who, what, where, when and how. The 'why' is pretty obvious once you get above the tree-line. 

Does the Team have enough daylight to make it to their planned destination? Will the weather hold? Will the severe heat and noon-day sun deplete their water supplies?

Find out on the next: 'EXPLORATION, KAISER WILDERNESS!'

Follow along as BLLR Teammates trace the Potter Pass Trail to George Lake and back!

Join the expedition @ twitter.com/officialbllr

EXPLORATION: KAISER WILDERNESS!

DAY 1: The Road to Potter Pass Trailhead…

In this entry of our BLLR Multi-media Essay “Exploration: Kaiser Wilderness!” the team heads up to the majestic Sierra National Forest!

(Times Approximate) 06:00AM - Rising bright and early to be out the door before sunrise, BLLR Teammates Adrian, Mac, and Christian packed their gear and took one last potty break before they headed out the door of BLLR Headquarters… 

Downtown Los Angeles in the wee hours of the morning.

LISTEN to the “Exploration: Kaiser Wilderness!” Playlist that got the Team from Los Angeles to Fresno to Huntington Lake and ready to hit the trail!  

The Map from L.A. to the Permit Office in the Sierras.

FOLLOW the Directions the Team used! 

06:00AM-08:00AM - The Team heads North along the I-5 towards Sacramento for approximately 66 miles before merging on to the CA-99 North towards Fresno. 

08:00AM-08:15AM - Bathroom break for Adrian. 

08:15AM-9:00AM - With Mac behind the wheel, Adrian double checking plans, and Christian navigating, the Team passes sun-baked towns with names like Bakersfield, Delano, MacFarland. Signs of aviation and agriculture. At 132 miles, this is the longest stretch of the trip. 

09:00AM-10:00AM - Maneuvering a set of exits and quick lane changes,  the Team heads towards Kings Canyon and onto the CA-180 before finally meeting up with the CA-168 which winds and weaves from warm ranchland to chilling and inspiring alpine forests.  

Jeremy ‘Mac’ MacWilliams behind the wheel. 

10:00AM-11:00AM - On the final stretch of the journey there, the air has thinned noticeably for the crew. From sea-level in Los Angeles to the CA-168 there is a change of close to 6,000ft in altitude. Giant sequoias replace gas stations. Tourists headed towards Shaver Lake for a weekend of boating. Small mountain towns with general stores and fishing licenses. At last, the Team spots Huntington Lake to their left!  

Approaching the Potter Pass Trailhead, keep the Lake to your Left.

11:00AM - Around 5 hours and 288 miles after leaving Los Angeles, Christian nearly misses the sign post for Mono Hot Springs right after the small bridge over Rancheria Creek and before the crucial turn to the Right at Big Creek Road that leads to the Eastwood Visitor Center, with restrooms, a small store for camping and firewood and most importantly: the Permit Office…

The Sign for Mono Hot Springs.

What happens when our Team gets to the Permit Office?

Did Christian remember to make Wilderness Permit Reservations?

Does fresh snow at 8’000ft make the team rethink their plans?

Find out on the next “EXPLORATION: KAISER WILDERNESS!”

About: BLLR Team members Adrian, Mac, and Christian go on a BLLR Backcountry Expedition as they backpack for three days in an area that stretches between Yosemite and Kings Canyon. Their purpose: to photograph and trace the route from Potter Pass trailhead to Lake George and back. 

Follow along and find out what happens on the path to Lake George on the BLLR Multi-media Essay of Sights, Sounds, and Facts from “Exploration: Kaiser Wilderness!” Follow Team @OfficialBLLR on twitter.