Kern-Kaweah and Kaweah Basins

Gallats Lake. That's what the map says. At one time in the far past there was a fair sized lake here, but not today. This is looking up canyon near camp.

A Great Camp

Kern-Kaweah and Kaweah Basins via Colby Pass, September, 2000.

Geez but our camp was a great site! Level places for our sleeping areas, natural rock and tree furniture for packs and belongings, the river nearby for water and bathing, a waterfall, picturesque meadows and river islands decorated with small trees for our viewing pleasure, great views in all directions, a level granite swath for cooking and siting and just enough shade from the trees. This place had it all! One of the best camps in the Sierra I have ever seen.

It was simplicity itself to cross the stream over tea garden like artfully arranged rocks and flower gardens, and after setting up camp that was the first things I did. A short hike brought me to the shoulder of the large dome near camp for an outstanding view down-canyon.

Near camp across the river was a slope that allowed me this tremendous view down the Kern-Kaweah canyon. At the end of the canyon on the right wall beneath a clean granite area you can see a line of trees ascending from right to left that would be our route to Kaweah Basin.

Our camp area was perched near the lip of a glacial "step", and the below me the terrain fell away to the next "step". The next "step" below held yet another meadow area at the bottom of the "U" of the canyon. Later I would see that that area below was not as picturesque as our location, but it was not without is charms. Our location had the "lake" with its crystal clear waters that revealed a complex rock garden below the surface. It also had the large mostly dry meadows that allowed strolls through its grasses. We also had nearby cascades and falls, the stunted tress of high altitude, the forested canyon slopes, the soaring nearby peaks, the polished erratic decorated slabs and dykes, and a multitude of wildlife including deer and various bird species. Sitting here writing this, I long to be there now.

Gallats Lake. This shallow expanse was the largest open body of water of the "lake". Still, it was awesome in its beauty.

As the afternoon drifted into evening, we were treated to yet another wonder. Clouds had closed in all around us except in our valley, and as the suns golden fire bathed the clouds in evening alpen-glow, the indirect light bathed our valley in an unusual orange glow. Maybe nature was trying to tell us something, but whatever it was, we were eager listeners.

We enjoyed our solitude and our evening meal, and we even enjoyed our chores in that place of wonders. Night finally fell, the clouds cleared, and we once again stood in awe under the canopy of stars. Reluctantly we retreated to our sacks, anticipating the next day’s activities.