Baxter 001

Bishop Pass to Baxter Pass JMT Backpack

Six days, 57 miles, in and out of the John Muir Trail from the Eastern Sierras. Cumulative ascents of about 12,000 ft and descents of about 15,200 ft. August 2018.
Baxter 001

Baxter 001

27 Aug 2018 76
Spent the night in Lone Pine and started calling shuttles first thing in the a.m. to get my car dropped off at Baxter Pass trailhead and then myself up to Bishop Pass trailhead, west of Bishop CA at South Lake.
Baxter 002

Baxter 002

27 Aug 2018 71
The trail starts at 9,700 ft and I didn't have much time to acclimate the elevation, so it was slow going at first.
Baxter 003

Baxter 003

27 Aug 2018 71
Conservation Corps workers restoring the rugged Bishop Pass switchbacks.
Baxter 004

Baxter 004

27 Aug 2018 93
Looking back on the ascent up Bishop Creek drainage, Long Lake, Saddlerock Lake.
Baxter 005

Baxter 005

27 Aug 2018 63
Near the top there is a miniature Whitney Peak type formation, and a pyramid!
Baxter 006

Baxter 006

27 Aug 2018 85
Looking west toward the descent to the John Muir Trail.
Baxter 007

Baxter 007

27 Aug 2018 82
Camped very comfortably at about 11,000 ft on a bench in Dusy Basin.
Baxter 008

Baxter 008

28 Aug 2018 68
Greeted by interesting birds in the morning. This character almost looks like a parrot.
Baxter 009

Baxter 009

28 Aug 2018 56
Some sort of High Sierra pheasants or grouse burst from the shrubs as I started walking, and alighted in pine limbs, trying not to be noticed.
Baxter 010

Baxter 010

28 Aug 2018 76
Baxter 011

Baxter 011

28 Aug 2018 78
Passing through the small lakes on Dusy Basin.
Baxter 012

Baxter 012

28 Aug 2018 48
Here the basin plunges down, revealing the majestic Le Conte Canyon.
Baxter 013

Baxter 013

28 Aug 2018 81
About 2,500 ft of switchbacks down to the Middle Fork Kings River at the bottom.
Baxter 014

Baxter 014

28 Aug 2018 62
Looking upstream of Kings River JMT route north.
Baxter 015

Baxter 015

28 Aug 2018 76
Looking downstream of Kings River JMT route south.
Baxter 016

Baxter 016

28 Aug 2018 77
Now at the JMT junction.
Baxter 017

Baxter 017

28 Aug 2018 72
Heading south with The Citadel in the distance.
Baxter 018

Baxter 018

28 Aug 2018 76
The Citadel.
100 items in total