Starting on Sep 3. 2022, we did a 8-day, 7-night backpacking trip to explore Bear Lakes Basin area in Eastern Sierra mountains. This is one of the most beautiful area in the Eastern Sierra. The trip was very successful and satisfying. Most of the travels were in backcountry. We crossed three mountain passes - Italy Pass, Dancing Bear Pass and BeaRoyce Pass, climbed three 13000-feet peaks, Mount Julius Caesar, Mount Hilgard and Royce Peak. It was challenging but rewarding!
Trip report:
Day 1 - From Pine Creek Trailhead to Granite Park. It was long and strenuous 8.6 miles with heavy packs. We were tired after getting there. The sunset was pretty.
Day 2- From Granite Park to Italy Pass. Leave the heavy backpack on the pass, then climb Mount Julius Caesar, 13,213 feet. Then pick up the backpack and hike to eastern side of Lake Italy right below Mount Hilgard. It was a long tiring day.
Day 3 - Climb Mount Hilgard, 13,361 feet. It was all the way class 2, not particularly hard.
Day 4 - From Lake Italy to Ursa Lake via Dancing Bear Pass. From Italy Pass to Dancing Bear Pass, there was an unofficial trail. We took a little shortcut to connect to that trail. I consider this was an easy day. After entering Bear Lakes Basin, the scenery immediately became prettier. We camped at a very nice waterfall between Ursa Lake and Big Bear Lake. The hill on north east side, where both lakes can be seen, was the best photo spot in my opinion.
Day 5 - Explore the Bear Lakes Basin. Hike to Vee Lake and Seven Gable Lakes. This was an easy day. We relaxed and prepare for next day's adventure.
Day 6 - From Ursa Lake to BeaRoyce Pass, then to Royce Lakes. The pass was very sandy and steep. I attached a few photos below for your reference. Going around Royce Lakes was not easy as it was quite rocky. We camped at the far north side of the smaller lake to Royce Lakes for tomorrow's climbing.
Day 7 - Climb Royce Peak. The difficult part is the first part to the saddle. After we got on to the saddle, it was pretty much walk to the top.
Day 8 - Royce Lakes to Pine Creek trailhead. It was a long downhill hike. It was hard to believe that we hiked this long up a few days ago.
