Southwestern Burnup Tour - Sierra Nevada Onion Valley Hike, Death Valley, and Beatty NV - September 2011

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We decided that the best course of action was to wait around for a few minutes to see what would develop. The other party was more bold than us and decided to press on.

At the point where we started to actually see a few bolts of lightning, we decided to retreat to a more sheltered spot. As a shower of snow pellets started to come down around us, we located a spot under the overhang of a large angular boulder of granite. We quickly put on some warm clothing and watched the granules of snow come down more furiously. A crack of lightning and peal of thunder split the air now and then. Granted, the bolts were not coming fast and furious, but in the open alpine at over 11,000 feet, any bolts of lightning within a 5 mile radius are cause for concern. Off in the distance we could see that the other climbing party had also taken cover under a big boulder at the other side of the lake.

courtesy AHyndman

Observing the storm

Inclement Weather

Waiting out the storm

We could see the granular snow beginning to accumulate in the nooks and gullies of the peaks around us. None of us were particularly keen to climb up onto a 13,000+ foot peak with snow and lightning, and we didn't know when this weather would pass -- or, even if it did pass, whether another such storm might be lurking further to the west. Our confidence in the 'sunny with cloudy periods and 10% chance of precipitation' was a bit shaken. With our limited mountain fortitude running out, we decided to turn back.

courtesy JInnes

New dustings

Heading back down

A bit of glissading

As soon as the precipitation stopped, which it did about 15 minutes later, we started down. We followed the solid granite ridge, detouring only to do a bit of foot-glissading on a small snowfield. Now that the snow had stopped and the lightning moved on, I began to have a few second thoughts about our turnaround decision.

courtesy AHyndman

More darkness approaches

Another storm comes

Another dunking

Those thoughts were quickly quelled when, after descending back down to the vicinity of Bench Lake, another thunderstorm with snow pellets came rumbling through. As we sheltered under some low pine trees not far from the lake, we wondered about the other party above us. Would the continue up with this sort of weather? Looking above at University Peak, we could see that the summit was now wreathed in fast-moving cloud. Didn't seem like a nice place to be at that moment.

On the other hand, the second storm made us feel better about our turnaround decision. We didn't relish the thought of being up on the north ridge in these sorts of conditions.

courtesy AHyndman

Summit in the clouds

Scrambling down to Matlock Lake

Mt Gould

Gilbert Lake

Back across Boulder Field

Stormy-looking University Peak

After another 15 to 20 minute wait, the second storm passed, and we continued on, scrambling down the steep-ish headwall to Matlock Lake, where we were once again on actual trail. From this point we began our easy hike back down to the trailhead. We stayed on Matlock Lake trail all the way back to where it intersects the Kearsarge Pass trail, then made our way down to the car.

As we arrived at the trailhead, the clouds parted and brilliant warm sun came out as we descended, and even University Peak emerged from the clouds and stood proudly behind us. The weather almost seemed to mock our decision by giving us a final view of the peak against a solid patch of blue. Decisions, however, are decisions.

Sunny Owens Valley

Hiking down to Trailhead

Onion Valley

Final Look at U. Peak

Arriving at Trailhead

Just as we began to pack our gear back into the car, a couple of well-worn looking hikers arrived at the trailhead. They introduced themselves, and asked if they could possibly get a ride down to highway 395 in the valley below. They were Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers, they said, and were finishing the last of their journey on it at this trailhead. Since there was only three of us, we had room for two more for a quick drive down to the highway. So, we said yes.

They were pleasant company, and we asked them about their months-long exploration of the Pacific Crest Trail, chatted a bit about U.S. politics, and in general about what had transpired in the world while they had been out on the trail. On the way down, Arn and Jenn claimed that the two grizzled hikers smelled a bit ripe, but I was still getting over a cold and I don't recall smelling a thing. I suppose after weeks without a shower, that is to be expected! We dropped the couple off in the town of Independence.

Attempt on University Peak -- a.k.a. Aussie Lake Hike, Interactive Trackmap - click map to view

Attempt on University Peak -- a.k.a. Aussie Lake Hike, Interactive Trackmap - click to view

Hike Data - 'Aussie' Lake Hike

Start Time: 6:44a.m.

End Time: 1:56p.m.

Duration: 7h11m

Distance: 11.92 km (7.41 mi)

Average Speed: 1.7 km/hr (1.0 mph)

Start Elevation: 9173ft (2796m) *

Max Elevation: 11432ft (3484m) *

Min Elevation: 9173ft (2796m) *

End Elevation: 9243ft (2817m) *

* : +/- 75 feet

Total Elevation Gain: 2366ft (721m) *

Total Elevation Loss: 2286ft (697m) *

* : +/- 75 feet

Elevation Graph

Even though the weather had turned sunny at the trailhead, the weather over the eastern Sierra was still quite unsettled. This we could see as we looked up and down along the range from the town of Independence. Many small dark spots of precipitation -- some with lightning -- glided eastwards over the crest. Overall a much more 'precipitous' day than had been forecast!

We snapped a few shots of the unsettled conditions, then headed off south on highway 395.