Throughout this site, this trip is referred to as the Sawtooth Trip. In looking back, I should have called it Monarch Lake. From the beginning we had planned on hiking to Monarch on Saturday, with a day hike to Sawtooth Peak on Sunday. Monarch Lake is actually two lakes (upper, and Lower) and rests at 10,400'. It is a 4.2-mile hike, which took us 4.5 hours in, and 1.5 hours out.

We were able to add four new backpackers to our group on this hike. Tom Plummer, my brother-in-law, his son Dustin, Dustin's friend, Derek Cauthin, and Kathi's cousin, Mike Yates. Mike lives in Chino so kudos for driving so far to make the trip.

We arrived at the Sawtooth Trail head around 8:00 am on Saturday morning. This was Labor Day weekend, and the hikers were abundant. We had to wait in line to get a permit, and the Sawtooth Trail head was closed after our party because of maximum capacity, which is 25 hikers. The park ranger told me you can call in advance for reservations, which I recommend if you are backpacking in Mineral King on a busy weekend.

Just last month we packed into Eagle Lake, a trail, which is rated a moderate. The trail to Monarch is also rated moderate, but everyone in our group disagreed. The first quarter mile is the toughest, and after that it becomes easier. You actually ascend 600 feet in the first 1000 feet of trail, until reaching the Timber Gap junction. At that point you head south, then east following Monarch Creek for almost one mile. Most of these 1.2 miles is unprotected by trees, and even at 10:00 am it was very hot. After crossing the creek, you start up a series of switchbacks that cover about two miles. This part of the hike is heavily wooded, and will protect you from the sun. Shortly after the Crystal Lake junction (3.2 miles), you leave the trees, and start a long steady ascent along the side of a rock mountain. It looks as if this part of the trail was blasted out of the side of the rock face, which climbs straight up to the south, to the base of Mineral Peak, and straight down to the bottom of a valley in which Monarch Creek flows. As you round the end of this portion of the trail, Mineral Peak comes into view (11,615'), and you are just below Lower Monarch Lake.

We reached the lake around 2:00pm, and set up camp. It was very warm, and there is little shade at this elevation. To give you a little idea of how hot it was, check out the picture my daughter drew of Ross' sunburn. .

The boys started fishing after camp was set up. I think they caught 3 or 4 that first night. The fish in Lower Monarch were small (3" to 5"). We didn't fish the upper lake, but I assume there are no keepers up there either. It's a good thing we hadn't planned on living off of tree bark, and fish on this trip...........and speaking of food! Tom brought some food.........LOTS OF FOOD. You know how it is on your first trip. You're not concerned about how much your pack weighs, but "did I forget anything"? If I'm not mistaken, Tom packed out more food than he ate. .

Day 2, Sunday morning we woke up to clouds. I'd been watching the weather for weeks, and was sure there was no threat of rain. The clouds stayed most of the day, but little rain feel. You can never rule out bad weather at this altitude, so always be prepared. Dustin and I also had headaches on Sunday. I can only assume it was from the Altitude. Drinking lots of water seemed to help, plus a nice long nap didn't hurt.

By Sunday afternoon, the clouds had cleared, and it was time to climb the peak. Ross and Mike stayed in camp, so it was just Tom and I, and the boys. The 1.1-mile trail from the lake to Sawtooth Pass is brutal. I really don't think I could have made it with a pack on. There were quit a few people packing over the pass, but don't do it unless your in excellent shape. Your first 1/2-mile is like walking on the beach. It's not actually sand, but DG (decomposed granite), that has been weathered off of the mountain over the years. The second half of the trail is a never-ending series of switchbacks through and around boulders. Once you reach the top, you realize the whole trip is worth the pain. The views from Sawtooth Pass are spectacular. You have the peak to the south, the San Joaquin Valley to the west, and the high Sierra to the east. You are standing 800' above Columbine Lake, and on the horizon you can see Mt. Whitney. At this point we stopped to take a few pictures, and then headed south toward the peak. It took a little over an hour to get to the pass from Monarch, and it was getting late in the day. We continued on for about 200 yards, and the climbing became more difficult. At that point, Tom and I decided it was a little too dangerous for the boys, and we turned back. This trip will definitely be on the schedule next year, and I will make it to the top. We talked to a lady who lives in a cabin at the trailhead, and she told us the south side of the peak was easier to climb. Next year we will start our ascent from Upper Monarch, which accesses the south side .

The hike back to camp from the pass was much faster than the climb, but Tom had a little accident on the way down, and twisted an ankle. We left early Monday morning , so Mike could make it back to So Cal. Tom made it down OK, and is ready for our next trip. Until next year.....