NF Kings 2005

Trip map -- Daily route profiles are at the end of this gallery

2009-02-21T19:08:37Z

Frank Farmer
Trip map -- Daily route profiles are at the end of this gallery

Wishon Reservoir -- Our trip started at Maxson TH near Courtright Res and ended at Rancheria TH near Wishon Res. Spectacular country.

2009-06-05T03:45:57Z

Frank Farmer
Wishon Reservoir -- Our trip started at Maxson TH near Courtright Res and ended at Rancheria TH near Wishon Res. Spectacular country.

TB's backpack, at Maxson TH -- We had an odd start to the trip. Bill's boots developed a split, so he drove home to Clovis for another pair. He would catch up with us at the first campsite.

2009-06-05T03:15:34Z

Frank Farmer
TB's backpack, at Maxson TH -- We had an odd start to the trip. Bill's boots developed a split, so he drove home to Clovis for another pair. He would catch up with us at the first campsite.

Tiocampo's backpack -- Just when we thought everything is ready, I realized that my glasses were missing. I was wearing shades. Happily, we found the glasses in my car back at Rancheria, aft ...

2009-02-21T19:04:32Z

Frank Farmer
Tiocampo's backpack -- Just when we thought everything is ready, I realized that my glasses were missing. I was wearing shades. Happily, we found the glasses in my car back at Rancheria, aft ...

Frank (AKA Tiocampo) and Susan (AKA Trailbunny or TB), at Maxson Trailhead -- We started off for Hobler Lake, in hopes that Bill and Spencer would be joining us later. Photo by TB.

2009-02-21T18:13:16Z

Frank Farmer
Frank (AKA Tiocampo) and Susan (AKA Trailbunny or TB), at Maxson Trailhead -- We started off for Hobler Lake, in hopes that Bill and Spencer would be joining us later. Photo by TB.

Log trail, on the route to Hobler Lake -- Our first day's hike was an easy 4.5 miles, to Hobler Lake.

2009-02-21T19:08:12Z

Frank Farmer
Log trail, on the route to Hobler Lake -- Our first day's hike was an easy 4.5 miles, to Hobler Lake.

Maxson Dome

2009-02-21T19:09:11Z

Frank Farmer
Maxson Dome

Hobler Lake Trail sign

2009-02-21T19:09:41Z

Frank Farmer
Hobler Lake Trail sign

Tiocampo's tent at Hobler Lake

2009-02-21T19:05:14Z

Frank Farmer
Tiocampo's tent at Hobler Lake

Trailbunny's tent at Hobler Lake -- Photo by TB

2009-06-05T08:25:11Z

Frank Farmer
Trailbunny's tent at Hobler Lake -- Photo by TB

Bill's tent at Hobler Lake -- Bill caught up with us at about 5:00 pm, with a good pair of boots!

2009-06-05T02:54:40Z

Frank Farmer
Bill's tent at Hobler Lake -- Bill caught up with us at about 5:00 pm, with a good pair of boots!

Spencer's tent at Hobler Lake -- Spencer caught up with us at about dusk. Our group was complete!

2009-06-05T02:39:24Z

Frank Farmer
Spencer's tent at Hobler Lake -- Spencer caught up with us at about dusk. Our group was complete!

Hobler Lake -- This was a scenic lake, with warm, shallow water. I was glad to have a water filter.

2009-06-05T03:11:48Z

Frank Farmer
Hobler Lake -- This was a scenic lake, with warm, shallow water. I was glad to have a water filter.

Hobler Lake shoreline panorama

2009-06-05T03:11:28Z

Frank Farmer
Hobler Lake shoreline panorama

Hobler Lake

2009-06-05T03:18:14Z

Frank Farmer
Hobler Lake

Our group at Hobler Lake -- From left: Tiocampo, Trailbunny, Bill, Spencer

2009-06-05T03:05:56Z

Frank Farmer
Our group at Hobler Lake -- From left: Tiocampo, Trailbunny, Bill, Spencer

Interesting creekside erosion and deposition pattern -- En route to Post Corral Creek. Our first day's goal was Devil's Punchbowl, about 10 miles and 1800 feet of climbing.

2009-06-05T03:07:20Z

Frank Farmer
Interesting creekside erosion and deposition pattern -- En route to Post Corral Creek. Our first day's goal was Devil's Punchbowl, about 10 miles and 1800 feet of climbing.

Heading for Post Corral Meadow -- Following Spencer and Bill. Our route would turn uphill at Post Corral Meadow, heading for Devil's Punchbowl.

2009-06-05T00:57:31Z

Frank Farmer
Heading for Post Corral Meadow -- Following Spencer and Bill. Our route would turn uphill at Post Corral Meadow, heading for Devil's Punchbowl.

Lush meadow scene

2009-06-05T03:16:46Z

Frank Farmer
Lush meadow scene

Native American seed grinding stones at Post Corral Meadow

2009-06-05T02:53:53Z

Frank Farmer
Native American seed grinding stones at Post Corral Meadow

Trailbunny, Bill, Spencer at Post Corral Meadow

2009-06-05T03:03:34Z

Frank Farmer
Trailbunny, Bill, Spencer at Post Corral Meadow

Open rock terrain on the trail to Devil's Punchbowl

2009-06-05T03:12:10Z

Frank Farmer
Open rock terrain on the trail to Devil's Punchbowl

Moderate ascent on the uphill grade -- Shortly we learned that Bill was having altitude sickness problems and couldn't continue. Spencer dayhiked to catch up with TB, who was ahead. TB and I ...

2009-02-21T19:03:09Z

Frank Farmer
Moderate ascent on the uphill grade -- Shortly we learned that Bill was having altitude sickness problems and couldn't continue. Spencer dayhiked to catch up with TB, who was ahead. TB and I ...

Final group photo before we split up on the trail to Devil's Punchbowl -- Spencer hiked on to Devil's Punchbowl (and a slick, rainy adventure), while TB, Bill, and I returned to Post Corral ...

2009-06-05T06:07:23Z

Frank Farmer
Final group photo before we split up on the trail to Devil's Punchbowl -- Spencer hiked on to Devil's Punchbowl (and a slick, rainy adventure), while TB, Bill, and I returned to Post Corral ...

TB and Bill, about to return to Post Corral Meadow -- We were at about 10000' elevation. Anyone can experience altitude sickness at that elevation. The best solution is to descend.

2009-06-05T03:10:39Z

Frank Farmer
TB and Bill, about to return to Post Corral Meadow -- We were at about 10000' elevation. Anyone can experience altitude sickness at that elevation. The best solution is to descend.

TB and Bill on the descent

2009-06-05T03:02:28Z

Frank Farmer
TB and Bill on the descent

Our kitchen area at Post Corral Meadow -- This was a very nice place to camp. We had an enjoyable campfire.

2009-06-05T03:38:47Z

Frank Farmer
Our kitchen area at Post Corral Meadow -- This was a very nice place to camp. We had an enjoyable campfire.

With Bill, as he is about to take off for the trailhead -- Bill is a great guy. He did not want to go back, but it was the best thing to do. Looking forward to hiking with him again.

2009-06-05T03:04:34Z

Frank Farmer
With Bill, as he is about to take off for the trailhead -- Bill is a great guy. He did not want to go back, but it was the best thing to do. Looking forward to hiking with him again.

Bill sets out for Maxson Meadow TH. I talked with him after the trip, and he made it out A-OK.

2009-06-05T03:20:34Z

Frank Farmer
Bill sets out for Maxson Meadow TH. I talked with him after the trip, and he made it out A-OK.

Tiocampo and TB, at Post Corral Meadow -- This left two of us, until our planned meet-up with Spencer in a couple of days. Time for us to get moving!

2009-06-05T03:20:53Z

Frank Farmer
Tiocampo and TB, at Post Corral Meadow -- This left two of us, until our planned meet-up with Spencer in a couple of days. Time for us to get moving!

Crossing a granite outcropping

2009-06-05T03:25:37Z

Frank Farmer
Crossing a granite outcropping

Opening vistas -- We gained elevation in the NF Kings canyon, and enjoyed looking back at where we'd passed.

2009-02-21T19:07:56Z

Frank Farmer
Opening vistas -- We gained elevation in the NF Kings canyon, and enjoyed looking back at where we'd passed.

Rugged country

2009-06-05T01:56:18Z

Frank Farmer
Rugged country

IMG_0074.JPG

2009-06-05T03:19:04Z

Frank Farmer
IMG_0074.JPG

Rugged country

2009-06-05T03:02:42Z

Frank Farmer
Rugged country

Along the NF Kings River

2009-06-05T03:07:23Z

Frank Farmer
Along the NF Kings River

Clear, cold water

2009-02-21T19:08:53Z

Frank Farmer
Clear, cold water

Cascading water

2009-06-05T03:23:38Z

Frank Farmer
Cascading water

Glacial polish, weathered surfaces

2009-06-05T03:23:42Z

Frank Farmer
Glacial polish, weathered surfaces

Glacial polish, weathered surfaces

2009-06-05T03:06:33Z

Frank Farmer
Glacial polish, weathered surfaces

Deep water

2009-06-05T03:23:45Z

Frank Farmer
Deep water

Willows and manzanita

2009-06-05T03:02:07Z

Frank Farmer
Willows and manzanita

TB taking a picture. She also has a Canon digital camera, but a bit more advanced than mine.

2009-06-05T03:16:36Z

Frank Farmer
TB taking a picture. She also has a Canon digital camera, but a bit more advanced than mine.

Taking the packs off for a rest

2009-06-05T03:06:31Z

Frank Farmer
Taking the packs off for a rest

Colorful flowers along the creek

2009-06-05T02:55:03Z

Frank Farmer
Colorful flowers along the creek

Lupine

2009-06-05T01:07:04Z

Frank Farmer
Lupine

Thistle

2009-06-05T02:59:26Z

Frank Farmer
Thistle

One of many log crossings

2009-02-21T19:08:59Z

Frank Farmer
One of many log crossings

Ridge near NF Kings

2009-06-05T03:10:20Z

Frank Farmer
Ridge near NF Kings

Approaching Meadowbrook

2009-06-05T03:07:43Z

Frank Farmer
Approaching Meadowbrook

Meadowbrook snow survey cabin

2009-06-05T01:02:53Z

Frank Farmer
Meadowbrook snow survey cabin

Log cabin

2009-02-21T19:08:04Z

Frank Farmer
Log cabin

California Cooperative Snow Surveys sign

2009-06-05T03:08:38Z

Frank Farmer
California Cooperative Snow Surveys sign

Instrument shack on opposite shore of the NF Kings -- This station has one of the few stream gages in the High Sierra. It provides data on an hourly basis, at CDEC.

2009-06-05T03:05:04Z

Frank Farmer
Instrument shack on opposite shore of the NF Kings -- This station has one of the few stream gages in the High Sierra. It provides data on an hourly basis, at CDEC.

Cable car -- Used for convenient and safe river crossing

2009-06-05T03:11:09Z

Frank Farmer
Cable car -- Used for convenient and safe river crossing

Snow survey cabin -- The white tower measures wind velocity and other parameters

2009-06-05T03:34:11Z

Frank Farmer
Snow survey cabin -- The white tower measures wind velocity and other parameters

NF Kings at Meadowbrook

2009-06-05T02:36:40Z

Frank Farmer
NF Kings at Meadowbrook

Inviting river pool on the NF Kings at Meadowbrook -- No lifeguard on duty

2009-06-05T03:12:10Z

Frank Farmer
Inviting river pool on the NF Kings at Meadowbrook -- No lifeguard on duty

Cascading water on the NF Kings at Meadowbrook

2009-06-05T03:14:29Z

Frank Farmer
Cascading water on the NF Kings at Meadowbrook

Hamburger bun with lettuce -- Just a couple of days into a trip, and thinking about food already!

2009-06-05T03:17:01Z

Frank Farmer
Hamburger bun with lettuce -- Just a couple of days into a trip, and thinking about food already!

Leaving Meadowbrook

2009-06-05T02:17:58Z

Frank Farmer
Leaving Meadowbrook

Trail junction with Meadowbrook Creek -- This steep trail leads to Devil's Punchbowl. We half expected that Spencer would meet us here, if he had encountered rainy weather the night before

2009-06-05T03:13:58Z

Frank Farmer
Trail junction with Meadowbrook Creek -- This steep trail leads to Devil's Punchbowl. We half expected that Spencer would meet us here, if he had encountered rainy weather the night before

Trail blaze -- These markings are a welcome sight at times, if the route has a lot of deadfall or is hard to follow. The markings were made many decades ago, in the time of Walter Starr, Jr. ...

2009-06-05T03:06:11Z

Frank Farmer
Trail blaze -- These markings are a welcome sight at times, if the route has a lot of deadfall or is hard to follow. The markings were made many decades ago, in the time of Walter Starr, Jr. ...

Hailstorm! TB taking shelter under a tree

2009-06-05T03:02:22Z

Frank Farmer
Hailstorm! TB taking shelter under a tree

Hailstones -- Soon it began to rain

2009-06-05T02:56:00Z

Frank Farmer
Hailstones -- Soon it began to rain

Hail

2009-06-05T03:17:48Z

Frank Farmer
Hail

Fungus -- colorful, but possibly deadly

2009-06-05T01:35:45Z

Frank Farmer
Fungus -- colorful, but possibly deadly

Proceeding on, after the rain let up

2009-06-05T03:08:05Z

Frank Farmer
Proceeding on, after the rain let up

Close to the river

2009-06-05T02:57:03Z

Frank Farmer
Close to the river

Approaching Big Maxson Meadow

2009-06-05T03:09:11Z

Frank Farmer
Approaching Big Maxson Meadow

Cabin at Big Maxson Meadow

2009-02-21T19:04:34Z

Frank Farmer
Cabin at Big Maxson Meadow

IMG_0155.JPG

2009-06-05T03:11:58Z

Frank Farmer
IMG_0155.JPG

Log cabin construction

2009-06-05T03:07:03Z

Frank Farmer
Log cabin construction

Another portion of Big Maxson Meadow -- We found a place to camp about a quarter mile past the cabins. The campsite was in the trees. I ventured out into the meadow, to get some water at the ...

2009-06-05T03:17:22Z

Frank Farmer
Another portion of Big Maxson Meadow -- We found a place to camp about a quarter mile past the cabins. The campsite was in the trees. I ventured out into the meadow, to get some water at the ...

River channel

2009-06-05T02:52:08Z

Frank Farmer
River channel

River channel

2009-06-05T02:55:44Z

Frank Farmer
River channel

Water bags along the river bank -- Our campsite was in the trees. We wanted to find a place with good drainage, in case the rain continued. We also wanted to avoid mosquito habitat as much a ...

2009-06-05T03:20:42Z

Frank Farmer
Water bags along the river bank -- Our campsite was in the trees. We wanted to find a place with good drainage, in case the rain continued. We also wanted to avoid mosquito habitat as much a ...

Sandy beach along the river

2009-06-05T02:59:04Z

Frank Farmer
Sandy beach along the river

A big meadow

2009-06-05T02:56:36Z

Frank Farmer
A big meadow

Our 3rd night camp, near Big Maxson Meadow

2009-06-05T01:08:07Z

Frank Farmer
Our 3rd night camp, near Big Maxson Meadow

Morning picture, at the start of the Day 4 hike

2009-06-05T03:11:54Z

Frank Farmer
Morning picture, at the start of the Day 4 hike

Glacial erratic -- Whoever does the landscaping here is doing a fantastic job!

2009-06-05T02:21:57Z

Frank Farmer
Glacial erratic -- Whoever does the landscaping here is doing a fantastic job!

Another colorful fungus -- look, but don't touch

2009-02-21T19:04:51Z

Frank Farmer
Another colorful fungus -- look, but don't touch

This part of the trail hasn't been maintained for anyone's use, at least not very recently. That's OK ... we like it rugged, and we're good at route finding.

2009-06-05T03:22:44Z

Frank Farmer
This part of the trail hasn't been maintained for anyone's use, at least not very recently. That's OK ... we like it rugged, and we're good at route finding.

Jumbled rocks and trees along the river

2009-06-05T03:33:14Z

Frank Farmer
Jumbled rocks and trees along the river

Crossing a side creek -- Every now and then we had to take our boots off at a crossing, but not this time. We brought water shoes for that purpose, but it was a hassle to switch over.

2009-06-05T01:09:16Z

Frank Farmer
Crossing a side creek -- Every now and then we had to take our boots off at a crossing, but not this time. We brought water shoes for that purpose, but it was a hassle to switch over.

Nearby peaks -- We were concerned about the early appearance of thunderheads almost every day.

2009-06-05T03:11:17Z

Frank Farmer
Nearby peaks -- We were concerned about the early appearance of thunderheads almost every day.

Crossing point at the NF Kings -- We took a snack break before doing the crossing.

2009-06-05T03:37:36Z

Frank Farmer
Crossing point at the NF Kings -- We took a snack break before doing the crossing.

Crossing point at the NF Kings -- We took a snack break before doing the crossing.

2009-06-05T00:50:18Z

Frank Farmer
Crossing point at the NF Kings -- We took a snack break before doing the crossing.

The trail continues across the river

2009-06-05T02:23:56Z

Frank Farmer
The trail continues across the river

TB crossing the river -- The cold water felt good on our feet, which needed a good washing after four days on the trail.

2009-06-05T03:02:23Z

Frank Farmer
TB crossing the river -- The cold water felt good on our feet, which needed a good washing after four days on the trail.

Wide and shallow -- A very easy and safe place to cross.

2009-06-05T03:03:16Z

Frank Farmer
Wide and shallow -- A very easy and safe place to cross.

Junction sign -- We're heading to Blackcap Basin. We didn't know it then, but we'd be visiting Crown Pass in a few days, as well.

2009-06-05T03:22:11Z

Frank Farmer
Junction sign -- We're heading to Blackcap Basin. We didn't know it then, but we'd be visiting Crown Pass in a few days, as well.

Massive ridge, along the southern bank of the NF Kings. We need to get all the way around this thing, in order to reach Portal Lake.

2009-06-05T03:03:11Z

Frank Farmer
Massive ridge, along the southern bank of the NF Kings. We need to get all the way around this thing, in order to reach Portal Lake.

First view of Blackcap Mountain!

2009-06-05T03:08:52Z

Frank Farmer
First view of Blackcap Mountain!

Blackcap Mountain, across the river -- We are on the Portal Lake Trail now

2009-06-05T02:53:08Z

Frank Farmer
Blackcap Mountain, across the river -- We are on the Portal Lake Trail now

Natural partial dam on the river -- Compare with this picture

2009-06-05T00:52:48Z

Frank Farmer
Natural partial dam on the river -- Compare with this picture

Nice waterfall, but the view is partially blocked by this log.

2009-06-05T03:16:52Z

Frank Farmer
Nice waterfall, but the view is partially blocked by this log.

I just shot over the log and let the log into the picture -- Hey, I admit it ... I'm lazy!

2009-06-05T03:00:57Z

Frank Farmer
I just shot over the log and let the log into the picture -- Hey, I admit it ... I'm lazy!

TB climbed up on the log to get a better picture.

2009-06-05T02:52:25Z

Frank Farmer
TB climbed up on the log to get a better picture.