Arches National Park

Arches National Park

After some research I decided to try Fiery furnace "trail", which is not quite a trail, but natural labyrinth of narrow passages between towering sandstone walls. It does require getting a permit, which was not a problem. Rangers try to talk you out of it, but if you persistent you watch a short movie about it, answer few questions and good to go.

Fiery furnace trail in Arches Park

I want to do a big loop, but it was not possible, at least in 2 hours time frame we had for it. We have to trace our path back, sometimes making wrong turns, which was leading to dead ends or vertical drops. It was good idea to attempt it first thing in the morning, so we had plenty of time, but in the end we underestimate it only by half an hour.

Hiking in fiery furnace

This was an excellent trail and excellent park overall.

Balanced rock in Arches Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef Entrance Sign

Capitol Reef was not very impressive after Bryce. We found a camp site in Fruita Campground, set up tent and went for some evening exploration. Not enough time for entire Sulphur Creek trail, so we started from ranger station and went up west.

Sulphur Creek trail in Capital Reef

Pretty bleak landscape and we turn around after half an hour or so. Second trail to Chimney Rock was better, but still not very impressive (maybe I'm too spoiled).

Chimney Rock in Capital Reef Park

Anyway park was a big disappointment, I would not recommend it.

Visitors in Fruita Campground

Bryce Canyon National Park

We visited Zion National Park several times, normally during April and try few times to come to Bryce as well, but it was too cold and there was still a lot of snow, so all our previous attempts failed. On another hand July was perfect time to visit, park elevation is around 8000 ft and temperature was tolerable. We picked the most popular Queens Garden & Navajo loop trail, 2.8 miles (4.6 km) with altitude gain only 560 ft (170 m), very easy compared to my normal hikes.

Queens Garden trail in Bryce Canyon

In the middle of the trail we noticed some interesting rock formations further east, so we added some XC section and explore more territory.

Going off the trail in Bryce Canyon

Because trail was super easy I did not bring GPS and, of course, get lost. Eventually we saw very helpful sign "You are leaving Bryce NP", turn around and found right way back to the main trail. My overall impression from the park was very good, I certainly recommend to visit if you did not been there before.

Clouds over Bryce Canyon

Rock formation in Bryce Canyon

Summer Trip 2014

This year instead of usual PG comps I decided to try something different. Idea was to visit some parks, which we usually can't reach on our weekend sally and explore some new flying destinations. Here is a map to illustrate our 10 days and 4000+ miles journey.

Summer trip route

• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Capitol Reef National Park
• Arches National Park
• Yellowstone National Park
• Jackson Hole, WY
• US Paragliding Nationals, Chelan
• Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Pemberton, BC, Canada
• Seattle, WA

Onion Valley to Whitney, 4 days backpacking

After last year High Sierra Trail, which I hiked alone I certainly want someone else to share all aspects of backpacking trip and also to shorten it from 5 to 4 days, which is quite enough for my taste. After some considerations and negotiations my wife Karina agreed to join me. Logistics was much more easier then HST, we dropped car at Lone Pine, hitch hiked to Independence first and then to Onion Valley. I asked some random people at ranger's station where we got our permit and luckily they was going to Big Pine and had room for us. I left car at Dow Villa Motel overflow parking, they don't charge you anything, just ask to fill your info and date when you plan to return. At Independence there was 5-7 PCT hikers, some was going north, 1 was going south and 2 the same way as we to Onion Valley. We got a ride from PCT helper and camped at Onion Valley first night.

Onion Valley to Whitney trail

Day 1. Onion Valley to Central Basin, 11.5 miles, 3600' up

First part of the trail over Kearsarge pass we know very well and hiked it several times, so it was very easy going. Started at 7:30. Then trail descend to Kings Canyon and slowly climbed again toward Central Basin. Most spectacular point is from Kearsarge Pass:

Kearsarge Pass

We stopped at Bullfrog Lake for some fishing, which was successful. Very delicious lunch. We was done hiking by 5:00 pm.

Trout

Day 2. Central Basin to Tyndall Creek Frog Pond, 8.5 miles, 2800' up.

Again start hiking at 7:30 and it was challenging part over Forester Pass, but luckily it was very little snow on the north side of the pass.

North of Forester Pass

Forester Pass

Tyndall Creek Frog Pond Lake

South side was complitly snow free. We made it to Tyndall Creek Frog Pond at 4:45 pm. Enough time to try climb over Tawney Point ridge, but it was steep and lose and I run out of time. Good attempt though.

Day 3. Tyndall Creek Frog Pond to Guitar Lake, 15 miles, 2200' up

Easy day, so we started late at 8:30. A lot of up and down but mostly in the forest with a good shade. Stop for lunch near Guitar Lake ranger station and then at Timberline lake for fishing. Caught 2 trouts. Arriving to Guitar Lake at 18:15. Try to fish there, but no luck.

Deer near Guitar Lake ranger station

Guitar Lake

Day 4. Guitar Lake to Whitney Portal, 15.5 miles, 3300' up

Last day and hard push to Whitney in the morning, so start early at 4:30 am. Tag Whitney at 8:00 and down at Whitney Portal by 01:45 pm. It is tedious hike down, very painful for knees.

Hitchcock Lake

On Trail Creat

On Whitney

Overall it was very good hike and distance per day was right on, allowing enough rest every day. Good weather also made significant contribution and a little bit of luck with hitch hiking top out our trip. Here is our GPS track with major waypoints: Onion Valley to Whitney KMZ

University Peak hike (attempt)

University Peak 13,589' (4,142 m) north face class 2-3 with class 3 supposed to be only near the top. My companion this time was my friend Aleksey and it was his first high altitude hike, so chances to make it to the top was low from the beginning, but you never know how people tolerate altitude before you try. We camped at Onion Valley the night before and started hiking at 6:00 am.

University Peak trail

Matlock Lake

We made a good progress to 12,893' (3930 m) before Aleksey bailed around noon. We had enough time to complete hike, but I did not want to push him beyond his limits, so we made some pictures and turn around.

Aleksey climbing University Peak

Kearsarge Lakes from University Peak

University Peak 700 feet up

Mt. Langley hike

Mt. Langley trail

Trail head for Mt. Langley 14,026' (4,275 m) starts from Horseshoe Meadow one of my favorite place for acclimatization since its 10,000'. Igor agreed to join me, but have no idea what to expect at high elevation, it was his first 14'er. We camped at Horseshoe campground and start hiking at 6:30. First part of the trail is relatively flat and uneventful until New Army pass, where we encounter first snow and lost trail. Little bit of cross country straight up hill and we got back to trail. Last part was fully covered by snow, but easy passable.

New Army Pass

Plato was snow free and next snow was 0.5 km from the top where we have to climb small section of class 3, Igor was worry about going back, but luckily on the way back we found another way and totally avoided this steep section. We made it to the top around 1:30 pm. View from the top, especially to the north toward Mt. Whitney was magnificent.

Looking north from Mt. Langley

Lone Pine from Mt. Langley

Lakes from New Army Pass

We was hoping to cut some distance by descending via Old Army Pass, but it was still under snow and looked too scary to try it even with ice axe and crampons, which we did not have. So, climbed 100 m up to New Army Pass and came back the same way. Back at the car by 7:30 pm. Total distance 33 km, time 13 hours.
GPS track: GPS track in KMZ format