2010 Sierra Expedition:Hell for Sure Pass
The destination this year is the Hell for Sure Pass area. The trailhead is at Courtright Reservoir. I have two starting dates. My preference is for the earlier schedule, but as usual, it depends on mosquito probabilities. If snowfall is average or below, the earlier date will be best. If there is more snow than usual, life will be pleasanter a week later. As of April 5, Sierra snowfall is at 110% of normal, so the mosquitoes should be largely deceased by August 1. Let me know if you are interested in being kept on the list of people considering the trip. July 31 (Saturday): Fly to San Francisco. We'll drive to the pack station, which has overnight accomodations. August 1 (Sunday): We'll be packed in by the Clyde Pack Outfit from the Maxson Trailhead. Our first night will be at Post Corral Meadow, about 7.5 miles in (8200 ft.). This is an easy hike, with about an 800 foot climb, then a descent of almost the same amount. Since we'll be at a reasonable elevation for the first day, I'm not planning on a warm-up hike. August 2 (Monday): Post Corral Meadow to Rae Lake (9889 ft). This will be the hardest hiking day. It is only 5.5 miles, but about 1700 feet of elevation gain. Campfires are allowed at Rae Lake. August 3 (Tuesday): At this point, we'll hold a council. We could use Rae Lake as a base camp, and head from here in the Red Mountain Basin, up to Hell for Sure Pass, and around to Devil's Punchbowl. All are in dayhiking range. On the other hand, we might move on higher into the basin. August 4 (Wednesday): Either a day hike from Rae Lake, or move camp about four miles to Devil's Punchbowl (10,098 ft.) or Disappointment Lake (10,350 ft.). August 5 (Thursday): Another dayhike. August 6 (Friday): Hike back to Post Corral Meadow. An easy hike, as it will be just about all downhill. August 7 (Saturday): Hike back to Maxson Trailhead, drive to airport. Celebratory dinner. August 8 (Sunday): Fly back to Grand Rapids. Links: Photographs from a September 2009 hike Some pictures of the Hell for Sure Pass area If you use Google Earth, enter "Courtright Reservoir, CA," you'll be at the starting point. Confirmed Participants:
For those who stumble across this page through a search engine, it's the planning page for a hiking group in Michigan. It is maintained by Randall Bytwerk (bytw2calvin.edu — replace the "2" with a "@"). |