Trip Report
Quick Out-and-back to Dusy Basin (OT?)
Wednesday July 22, 2015 1:39pm
I don't much like hiking, and always considered it more of "approaching" to do climbing. In the alpine, that term may be modified appropriately to "approachaneering" under certain circumstances, usually involving slide alder or manzanita...

But hiking just to hike?
Never really cared for it, and that is why I DON'T have a profile over on Hiking.com (or whatever) and am subjecting all of you to a non-climbing trip report.

I have done a few overnight trips in the mountains before, 2005/2006 - two in the north cascades resulted in a 25-pitch FA,
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/the-devils-club/106363896
and another trip into the southern pickets for "Plan 9" - 14 pitches:
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But that was 10 years ago

I had to trick my mind to get psyched for a two-day hike with the usual "slow-and-heavy" approach. It was going to be stormy - so potentially good photos, it was an opportunity to test my chops to see if I was still good at putting one foot in front of the other with a substantial load on my back, and of course the scenery was supposedly amazing!

I set out Sunday morning at 10:30 from South Lake under gathering clouds with the goal to get to Dusy Basin in a reasonable amount of time. Ugh, this pack is heavy...

The information I could glean about the trail was this: 16-mile round-trip, 2300 feet of elevation gain, and it takes "most of a day" to get out to Dusy Basin.

I made good time out to Bishop Lake, where I was overwhelmed by the beauty and diversity of wildflowers coming up after the recent storms:
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Another buckwheat?
Another buckwheat?
Credit: MisterE
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I finally put the pack back on and got back to humping up the hill, heading into the storm. WTF, you can't swing a cat around here without hitting some wildflowers!
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Looking back towards the better weather:
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About a third of the way up Bishop Pass the rain started, with a surprisingly cold wind behind it. Here we go! Luckily, it was just spitting, and I made it to the top still fairly dry from the exertion, although my pack-cover was quite wet. Not quite there, looking back:
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As I dropped down the other side, I saw thick clouds rolling up fast from Kings Canyon:
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I ran towards them to get off the ridge. About a half a mile below the summit, I threw on my raincoat, ducked under a tree and sat on my pack crouched over as the rain hit. Quickly it turned to hail, and I was able to relax for about a half hour - LOL. After the hail-storm:
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I finished the hike to Dusy Basin, and arrived lake-side at the upper lake at 3:30 - 5 hours after I started. About an hour of that was pictures and sitting out the storm. Not bad for an over-loaded, out-of-shape 53-year-old!
Just hangin' with the locals:
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I sat out another small storm, then set up camp and brewed up:
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Then another storm - this dark at 5:30:
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Things cleared up for a bit, so I made dinner, cleaned up, got the camera out and waited for cool light. It came:
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Mt Isosceles from camp
Mt Isosceles from camp
Credit: MisterE
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The big triangular peak is Isosceles Peak, with a few routes on it:
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/isosceles-peak/106823458
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Camp, 7/19/15
Camp, 7/19/15
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Not long after that, the weather hit again, and I spent the evening sipping whiskey and reading. Later, the wind picked up, and did a cycle of quiet/small gust/big gust all night. Not a good night's sleep, and I got up early and decided to make track back. Both the mountains and I were feeling a little "under the weather". Coming down:
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3-1/2 hours back to the car, and it was warm and nice at South Lake. People in t-shirts and shorts - I think I still had all my polypro on...
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it.
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  Trip Report Views: 3,553
MisterE
About the Author
MisterE is a social climber from .

Comments
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
  Jul 22, 2015 - 01:44pm PT
Nice stuff, Mtn E!




..... Back in time for Sharknado.....
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
  Jul 22, 2015 - 02:17pm PT
I DID enjoy it! Beautiful photos as usual.
Thanks for the TR.
Brandon-

climber
The Granite State.
  Jul 22, 2015 - 02:25pm PT
Sweet!

I, too, have always disliked hiking. It was just an approach, I hear you. But something happened this year and I've got the bug now. Hiking difficult days has been a staple of my weekends, and it's really fun. Plus, my legs are super strong and my cardio is great. Best shape I've been in since I was in my early twenties. The key is to love pain and seek it out. When you feel pain, start jogging. Oh, rocks in the backpack help, too.
k-man

Gym climber
SCruz
  Jul 22, 2015 - 02:34pm PT
So funny, I'm in your boat--I never liked hiking if it wasn't approaching something that could be tagged as technical climbing. But if that was the case, then I'd march like an Incan.

In High School, I used to backpack, for weeks at a time. But once I tied in, I never looked at my backpack with the same affection.

Dusy Basin, love that place, love your TR.
Thx!
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
  Jul 22, 2015 - 02:31pm PT
This qualifies as a trip report in my book. The pictures are beautiful - just like the area. Thanks much for a most enjoyable post.

John
StahlBro

Trad climber
San Diego, CA
  Jul 22, 2015 - 02:34pm PT
Thanks for sharing E. Haven't been up there for years, but it still looks as gorgeous as I remember. Nice photos!
MisterE

Gym climber
Small Town with a Big Back Yard
Author's Reply  Jul 22, 2015 - 03:17pm PT
Thanks! Added some pictures.

Brandon, I am getting hooked, too. I can tell it will get me back into great shape pretty quickly by keeping on it.

I realized this trip my perspective has shifted from the climb-driven more to the aesthetic and fitness side - luckily my knees still seem good...
FRUMY

Trad climber
Bishop,CA
  Jul 22, 2015 - 03:48pm PT
TFPU
Batrock

Trad climber
Burbank
  Jul 22, 2015 - 04:07pm PT
Nice one Eric. I did a ski tour up there two springs ago and Mt. Goode really caught my eye, I really want to get up there and do that one summer.

You are livin the dream, Keep posted stories and pics.
SC seagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, Bozeman, the ocean, or ?
  Jul 22, 2015 - 04:16pm PT
Wonderful! I love that whole area. We were up at the Numbered Lakes out of Big Pine.
Im so envious....you are right there and I have to drive 5 hours!

We were near Temple Crag ... Now we're looking at a Humphrey's trip.
Susan

BAd Wife

Social climber
Bishop
  Jul 22, 2015 - 05:17pm PT
Beautiful photos Eric. Really glad you shared this here. In fact, I just signed up so I could make this comment. ~Jodi
anita514

Gym climber
Great White North
  Jul 22, 2015 - 08:01pm PT
The hike up to Bishop Pass is really nice. I spent a night up at Bishop lake then up to Agassiz a couple summers ago.
I've always wanted to get into Dusy Basin.

Like you and others, I dislike hiking. But hiking in the Sierra is such a treat compared to the soul-crushing misery that is hiking in the NE. Also doesn't help that I'm really lazy.

Thanks for sharing!
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
  Jul 22, 2015 - 08:46pm PT
Beautiful. The Sierra is one of the few places where hiking is an absolute joy, especially with a light pack. Always meant to get back to Dusy Basin as well. Your photos will keep that stoke going.
justthemaid

climber
Jim Henson's Basement
  Jul 22, 2015 - 08:58pm PT
A funny exchange happened in our living room when MrE. was packing up for the trip and deciding a route. We're sprayin' and blah blah blahing...

Mr E. "The real "hard men" hike 24 miles, cross the Kings River and do all 14 pitches of The Citadel
car-to car in a day.
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/the-citadel/105842790

Maidy: Uh... honey... You're more of a "board-lasted man" these days. I'm thinking maybe you should stick to the nature trail and nix the 14 pitches."

PS: Personally...I still dislike hiking.. Cold and sleeping on the ground is a recipe for an insufferable whiny muppet... which is why Mr.E wisely left me behind.:)

JOEY.F

Gym climber
It's not rocket surgery
  Jul 22, 2015 - 09:34pm PT
Very cool MisterE, been back there a few times, it's been too long.
Great photos!
Thanks.
MisterE

Gym climber
Small Town with a Big Back Yard
Author's Reply  Jul 23, 2015 - 09:06am PT
I should have titled this "The Adventures of Board-lasted Man". Hi, Jodi :)! Thanks!
NutAgain!

Trad climber
https://nutagain.org
  Jul 22, 2015 - 09:52pm PT
It's nice to have a spot like that to go for a walk in your back yard! Thanks for sharing a mellow moody mountain day.
Bad Climber

Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
  Jul 23, 2015 - 01:04pm PT
Great goin', amigo. Walking is okay when that's what you're walking in, eh? I love a good hike almost as much as good climb. And, it will make you a tougher climber, too, so there's that.

Thanks!

BAd
Husband of BAd wife.
jonnyrig

climber
  Jul 23, 2015 - 01:56pm PT
ejoyed that. thanks.
Roots

Mountain climber
Somewhere Fun
  Jul 23, 2015 - 04:44pm PT
Yo E - great TR! Hiking is a good thing = no stress.
Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
  Jul 23, 2015 - 05:03pm PT
Nice
How were the skeeters?
How heavy was your pack at the trailhead? (I know, it's kinda like asking a woman how much she weighs....)
micronut

Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
  Jul 23, 2015 - 05:40pm PT
Fantastic little "Expedito." That's Spanish for small expedition. I think. Wonderful colors and great weather for shooting. Thanks for the trip.

Scott
Psilocyborg

climber
  Jul 23, 2015 - 06:19pm PT
cool pictures. i missed you by a day.

thanks for sharing
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
  Jul 23, 2015 - 07:28pm PT
a wonderful spot in the universe I've visited many times since being back in California...

August of 1996, first summer back



Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
  Jul 23, 2015 - 07:27pm PT
Sweet!
feralfae

Boulder climber
Montana, on the Divide and around.
  Jul 23, 2015 - 08:34pm PT
Beautiful area, beautiful photographs, thank you for the TR.
I enjoyed every image. :)
On packs—yes
A pack was to haul
Gear to the wall :)

But that is changing, and I think I will do more hiking and less climbing as I enter my dotage.
It's all good. Just so I can get into the mountains. You have inspired me to get out there with my pack, if only to hike.

Thank you!

feralfae
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Jul 24, 2015 - 03:22am PT
Nice pics E,
I'd say that counts as a Tr!
Alpinista55

Mountain climber
Portland, OR
  Aug 24, 2015 - 01:28pm PT
Just hiked thru Dusy as a part of the North Lake - South Lake loop through Evolution Basin. The day we spent in Dusy it was more like the land of Mordor. Thick reddish smoke hung over the peaks like a veil. You could JUST see the silhouette of the Palisades from the upper basin, and Isosceles was a darker patch in the wall of smoke. For the first six days of the hike the smoke would appear in the afternoon, and then dissipate overnight. But once over Muir Pass the smoke just hung over everything all day and night. I'll have to go back to Dusy, just so I can see it in all its glory, sans smoky veil.
guyman

Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
  Aug 24, 2015 - 02:41pm PT
Mr E. So now I guess you know the truth.......

nothing to see, at all.


If you are not lugging climbing gear how can your pack be so heavy????

Cast Iron pan?

Books???

8x10 camera??

TFPU
L

climber
Just livin' the dream
  Aug 24, 2015 - 02:45pm PT
Loved this TR.
The sunset photos of your camp with Isosceles Peak in the background were outrageously beautiful.
Thanks for taking us along!
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
  Aug 24, 2015 - 03:32pm PT
Beautiful photos of stunning country.....thanks!
Kalimon

Social climber
Ridgway, CO
  Aug 26, 2015 - 06:52pm PT
Thanks for the Dusy Basin report! My first experience in the Sierra Nevada was the first day of a 50-miler, 1977, over Bishop Pass and into the Basin . . . I got eaten by mosquitoes and had an awesome time!
bpope

climber
Mountain View, CA
  Aug 26, 2015 - 07:45pm PT
I'm glad this got bumped back to the front page -- thanks for sharing the photos!
Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
  Aug 26, 2015 - 10:16pm PT
Delightful!
THANK YOU
Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber
San Francisco
  Aug 26, 2015 - 10:40pm PT
Beautiful photos. I love all sorts of flowers too!
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