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I grew up in a big city; never imagine myself walking in a wilderness. I hope you also enjoy my 7 days of venture into the magnificant glaciour mountains.



Author: Asao Kamei
Location: Sierra-Nevada
Date: June 2000
Etc: Camera
This document contains some dramatization



Big Pine Creek, 3rd day


When I saw the 2nd water fall, I could see this rugged granite peak in the far sight. As you walk through the creek, the peak gets closer and closer. There are a lake underneath the peak. Just breathtaking...

Woke up around 6 in the morning, prepared a sandwich, and headed for the Big Pine Creek. I picked up the creek based on a guide book, which described the creek as "...tucked between the canyon's steep walls and shaded by lofty Jeffrey pines..." The trail soon forked into 2 branches; South and North Forks. I had no trail map or detailed guide book. I picked South Fork arbitrary. The trail was a rather flat and rocky one, paralleling the South Fork of the Big Pine Creek. It was easy trail and provided not-so-bad view, but not spectacular. Thirty minute later, the trail crossed the river. The trail continues further up, but I did not have tough shoes. I gave up, turned around, and headed back. Next destination was the Bristlecone Pine Forest.


A wildflower in the meadow.

But on the way back, I walked into another hiker. He told me I should definitely try the North Fork. So, I decided to spend a few more hours in the Big Pine Creek.

Immediately after the trail branched, the North fork trail climbed up the side of the Canyon. The switched back next to a almost a water fall. The temperature was quickly dropping. It was already very different from the South Fork. At the top, there was a small side canyon. The beautiful and peaceful pine trees were surrounding the creek. Then there was yet another water fall at the end of this side canyon. There is yet another plateau in this trail! Then, there was a rocky steep granite peak beyond the water fall. I had no idea how far the peak was. But the one stare at it, I just cannot help but trying as far as possible just see the peak.


A sign post at John Muir Wilderness. I never imagined myself walk into any wilderness...

About one hour later, I crossed a sign post noting that I am entering the John Muir Wilderness. The water fall is where the wilderness starts. I had never even imagined that I would walk into the wilderness areas. I took the photo just to prove my friends that I did enter the wilderness. (Well, later I found out it is so easy to walk into the wilderness area in Owens Valley. Bishop Creeks, for instance, is less than a mile away from the wilderness...)

The North Fork of the Big Pine Creek was a tremendous trail. In fact, many hikers and guide books recommends the trail as one of the most spectacular view. The rugged granite peaks, peaceful lakes - seven of them! - and beautiful creek and meadows makes one of the best trails around. I feel I was lucky to pick the trail. And realized how important to have a trail map. I finished the trail around 3:00 and headed town of Bishop. I purchased a book about trails and topo maps. Never realized that this topo map would save my life at that time...





Bishop Creek, 4th day


My favorite coffee shop in the town of Bishop, with a hiker. He just came back from the Rock Creek, which he also highly recommended for its beauty.


A view from the beautiful long lake. This is the best I could to photograph the beauty of the lake.

The first thing I did in the 4th day was to visit the coffee shop in the town of Bishop. Very nice atmosphere attracted me last night. I was right. I can recommend the shop. Anyway, I read the trail book one more time. It recommended the South Fork of Bishop Creek and the beauty of the Long Lake. Ah, finally I found the trail one of my friend was talking about. Anyway, the Long Lake was a loveliest place I ever seen in the Sierra, as the guide stated. I gave up trying to capture it in a photo; instead I took a lot of what surrounds the lake. There were llamas at the Long Lake. Some one is carrying there back packs into the wilderness. There were about 20 people or so around the Long Lake; each of them enjoying and relaxing in the loveliest place on earth.

As for me, I decided to continue the trail. Probably 2 hours more or so. Just see some more as much as possible. I am afraid my wish became true that day.


Two lama at Long lake. Somebody is carrying their camping gear, I guess.

The Long Lake was literally long. Then, I passed another long lake called Spearhead Lake. More than one hour later, I got lost near a small lake. It was early summer and the trail was covered with the snow. When I almost gave up, I saw somebody coming up the trail. I just passed him about 2 hours ago.We started to search for the trail together. His name was Steve. He was a very experienced hiker - or mountain climber. He just found the way so easily I just had to follow him. I learned how to walk at altitude above 10,000 feet. We passed at least 3 more lakes, and there was the Bishop Pass. A gateway into the true wilderness, the other side of the Sierra-Nevada peaks. Steve mentioned that he once stayed for 10 days at Dusy Basin, which is just the other side of the pass. He continued on about the beauty of the basin, and 4 peaks of mountains he climbed every day. Unfortunately the final trail was completely covered by the snow. Steve decided to try to climb up at least some more. I had to give up to try with my running shoes.





Hi Steve! (to the far left). Isn't he look like a professional hiker?

Steve attempting the last climb up to the Bishop pass (to the right). There still a lot of snows covering the ground at this altitude. Outside of this photo, a russian guy also heading up the Bishop pass. He said he would stay over night at the other side of the pass. One day, I have to go cross the pass to see the other side.



A trail to the Bishop pass. A numerous meadows and creeks are on the way to the Bishop pass.

After, I said bye-bye to Steve, and started to descend back to the civilization. (To be accurate, Steve caught me up while I was taking some photos. He was in a hurry; he had to pick up his wife at the Long Lake, and drive back to Los Angels today, and start working tomorrow! My goodness. Anyway, I want to thank Steve for all of his help and fun conversation. Without him, I would have never gone that far.)


A view of Long lake from above...

But...

I should have hiked with Steve. It was around 7:00 when I noticed that I am still struggling with bushes and looking for a trail. I was on a trail, but it was not well maintained. I should be around the parking where the trail was very clear. I realized I got lost.

It was a scary thought to get lost in the wilderness. I shouted loud to see if anybody is around. There were no reply. I said to myself, "the worst thing is to hurry and exhausted and get injured." I decided to walk the path back. Then, there was a small creek; I jumped across it. Ouch! I twisted my knee. I felt real dumb.


A yellow flower along a lake... I guess I still could enjoy the scenery even though I was lost in the wilderness...

After I injured myself, I consulted with the topo-map I bought yesterday. The sun was still out and I can figure out the direction. It was so obvious what mistake I made. I just had taken a wrong trail to Chocolate Lake. And I was only 2 miles away from the main trail, and 4 miles from the parking. I felt even dumber about myself. Why I did not look at the map? Even better, why I did not look at the map every 30 minutes or so? Two hours later, I was sitting inside my car. The electricity, music from CD player. Technology is not bad at all.

I think I learned a lot from one day.

  • A topo map is a must to go hiking.
    Bring compass, flash light, etc.

  • should have noticed getting lost earlier if I look at maps.

  • First, locate where you are first, then you don't panic!

  • Then, decide what to do...