Kern-Kaweah and Kaweah Basins

Where'd those clouds come from? Looking back from "Colby Basin" towards the Kern-Kaweah canyon.

A Race Towards Colby Pass

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

Going back up this trail was a pleasure due to its lightly used wilderness nature, and the surroundings could not be beat. I quickly reached the cascades that marked the beginning of the climb and I maintained a steady ground eating pace that took me upward on the moderately steep trail. There were a few sections that required a slower pace, but it did not last long. After another brief level section, it was time to take on the wooded canyon wall trail, perhaps the hardest part of the day. Funny, but the sunlight seemed to be getting dimmer.

There is Colby Pass just ahead, but boy, the clouds were just racing in. In "Colby Basin" and heading towards the pass full tilt.

The way going up was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. There was one section that was very steep, but a steady chugging with short steps did the job. The rest of the way to the valley rim was merely tediously steep. I broke out of the trees into the valley below the pass and the first thing I noticed was that it had become overcast. I had planned to stop for a short rest but the conditions convinced me that it would be better to keep going and get over the pass.