Sequoia POCer Party Part II

Sunday we decided to rehab our swimming muscles with an 8 mile hike at 7,000 feet elevation. Everyone else had to fly or drive home so Brian and I headed up to the Wolverton Trailhead and did the hike to Heather Lake. On the way up we took the Watchtower trail. I assumed the name referred to a fire watch tower we would be able to check out, but really it refers to a big outcropping of rock overlooking the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River. It was very impressive but also steep and loose so we didn't walk very far out onto it. The valley was beautiful, the river cascades down a granite dish at one end and makes a series of pools in the side of the cliff. I'd like to do the hike from Lodgepole campground to Tokopah falls sometime. I'd also like to do some backpacking from there so we can get deeper into the alpine country. Above the Watchtower the trail turned into a ledge blasted from the side of the cliff. It was wide enough for comfort but still pretty exposed, very fun.

View from just past the Watchtower into the valley.

Nell being pensive on the ledge section.

Ledge section on the Watchtower trail, Sequoia.

 On the way up we saw three marmots hanging out on a rock and a hairy woodpecker tapping on trees. The lake was very nice, Anna claimed it was pretty warm for an alpine lake but I didn't test it out. We spent about half an hour basking on a rock then hobbled back down to the trailhead via the Hump trail. I think the Hump bit refers to the fact that you have to go over the ridge into the next little creek drainage over before you start descending. In the future I think I'll do the Watchtower trail out and back, it had better views and more uniform elevation change. 

The Watchtower trail turning inland toward Heather Lake.

Heather Lake, Sequoia.

Brian taking the previous image.

Yet more pondering of the Sierras.

We had dinner at the Lodgepole Grill. Protip: if the you ask the cashier "Are the chicken tenders are strips of chicken or pressed minced chicken?" and she says "Yeah they're really good, like big chicken nuggets." that is not the answer you're looking for. Luckily Brian is not obnoxiously fussy like I am. He gave me most of his cheeseburger and ate my chicken tenders.