2004 Sierra Expedition

The Silver Divide

After mixed feedback from potential expedition members, I'm planning on the Silver Divide from 8-16 August. Here's the report that persuaded me: The Silver Divide. Snowfall this year so far is below average.

For this one, we return to the starting point of the 2001 trip, Lake Thomas Edison. We'll head north instead of South. I've not been in any of this territory before. Here's an orientation map. Lake Thomas Edison is to the south. And here is a more detailed map of the entire area.This map has a variety landmarks noted and possible routes, but we may not follow it too precisely.

August 8: Fly from Grand Rapids to San Jose, drive the lovely Kaiser Pass Road to Lake Thomas Edison. We're booked at the Vermilion Valley Resort.

August 9: Lake Thomas Edison (about 7600') to Upper Graveyard Meadow (9600'). A packer will take the packs up to the campsite, about 8 miles.

August 10: Layover day. Explore Graveyard Lakes. Graveyard Peak (11,494') is a possible climb.

August 11: Over Goodale Pass (10,997') and down to Wilbur May Lake.

August 12: Hike to Peter Pande Lake

August 13: Layover day at Peter Pande Lake.

August 14: Hike over Goodale Pass to Upper Graveyard Meadow. Alternatively, we could go over Silver Pass. The more intrepid among us might want to take a "short cut". Peter Pande Lake is just over a ridge from Graveyard Lakes, and I have an email from a chap assuring me that it is doable, though there is some talus. It's about 8 miles by trial, two miles cross country. I'm tempted, but we'll see how things look on the scene.

August 15: Hike back to the trailhead. (If we go over Silver Pass, we'll use the ferry, departing at 4:45 p.m.), drive to San Jose. We have reservations at the Homewood Suites.

August 16: Fly from San Joseto Grand Rapids.

As always, what we actually do will likely be a bit different.

Here are some reports of hikes in the area:

A recent hike report, covering much of this ground. Check the 2003 folder.

A 2002 report, including the view from Graveyard Peak.

And another report from some folk who changed their plans.

Confirmed Participants:

Randy Bytwerk
Deb Bakker
Doug Bush
Bob Kragt
Marlene Sonderfan
Dan Vandersteen

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 "@").