Onion Valley and over Kearsarge Pass

The actual Whitney trip started from Onion Valley (East of Independence, California) at 9,200 feet and was originally planned to be a 7 day backpack trip covering 52 miles.  The first day we had to climb up and over Kearsarge Pass (11,700 feet elevation) and onto the famous John Muir Trail.  We originally planned to camp at one of the three Kearsarge Lakes, but when we made the pass by 10:15 AM and were still fresh decided to compress two days of hiking into one.

Bob and Doug at 11,700 feet

Rock art by Doug

Bob and I would take a 10 minute break every hour or so on the way up.  Toss off the backpacks and drink our water.  I would goof off doing something creative - like balancing rocks in impossible positions.  It is fun to leave the them there for the hikers behind us to ponder how "nature" might have caused these strange phenomena!

That night we camped at East Vidette Meadows (9,900 ft) and had the entire area to ourselves.  Great stream and mini-waterfall nearby.  Bob got up in the middle of the night to look at the medium sized bear, who to no avail, was trying to break into the provided metal food storage Bear Box.  Heck of a racket.  I missed the action.