Fish Creek / Cascade Valley ???

Any Advice anyone may have on this upcoming trip I have planned ???

I'm planning a week long trip to the Cascade Valley from July19th though the 27th. I hiked this area last year and very familiar with this area from a list of (10 ) other trips. I'm gonna try to go a little off trail to keep it interesting so as always, it should turn out to be a different trip altogether. The 10,000 plus down tree situation from last winters storm will defintly/positively play a roll in my route. The upper Fish Creek / Cascade Valley regions are in the process of being cleared at this time and should make thing interesting enough. I'll be solo (4th time out) and not be taking any chances with anything to difficult. If I have to, I'll just turn around and choose a different route..Not that I plan on using it, but I'll have a PLB with me for emergencies. As of now my pack weight fully loaded for 7 days is at 35 lbs. I feel I'm in OK shape but will takeing it slow the first day or two.

Day 1 ,19th
Drive to Mammoth, get permit and take a short hike to Skelton Lake from the Coldwater Creek Trailhead. Camp

Day 2, 20th
Hike over Duck Pass, down to Duck Lake outlet, and try to hike down the creek to Fish Creek. If it doesn't seem doable (to steep) and depending on weather, I'll hike back up and take the JMT over to Purple Lake and make my way down the trail to fish creek. I'm planning to Camp along Fish Creek or Lost Key's Lake. If I'm up for it ????, I might even choose to hike up to Beetlebug Lake and Camp. A lot will depend on how I feel and of course, the downed tree situation.

Day 3, 21st
Hike to Beetlebug Lake, then backtrack on the trail over to Olive Lake. Camp there for the night.

Day 4, 22nd
Hike over to Peter Pande Lake, then back down Minnow Creek off trail past the Pick & Shovel mine on my way to Brave Lake, then off trail over Fish Creek and if possible, try to hike up Hortense Creek to the Hortense Lake. Camp .

Day 5, 23rd
Hike down and over to Cotton & Tully Lake area and then on over to Lee and Cecil Lakes and Camp there for the night.

Day 6, 24th
Work my way North cross country up and over to Franklin & Ram lake, Camp. May choose to just take the trail past Virgina Lake to Franklin instead.

Day 7, 25th
Could possibly hike over Pika Pass to Pika Lake. More then likley, I'll probably just play it safe and hike down to the JMT by Purple lake then over to Duck Lake and camp at Pika Lake.

Day 8, 26th
Hike out and drive home.

Questionable Routes subject to change..
??Down Duck Creek to Fish Creek??
Alternative, Hike the trail down from Purple Lake


??Up Hortense Creek to Hortense Lake??
Or just continue north through Tully Hole up to Hortense Lake

??Tully or Cecil Lake and North up to Franklin Lake??
Or just hike the JMT to Virginia Lake and then up.

??Over Pika Pass to Pika Lake??
Or just hike the trail from Purple to Duck Lake

Due to the down tree situation, I may just have to hike the route I have chosen in reverse and probably stay on the North side of Fish Creek altogether. I may however, try to access Peter Pande / Olive Lake from the JMT coming off the Silver Pass.



Thanks for any advice you may have.
Be safe and enjoy...
Bruce...

Great choice, Peter Pande is a gem among gems, at least when it has been a good snow year, post card pic op. Tough country for XC routes, I need to hit Brave Lake myself.
Duane

Looks like a great plan no matter what routes you end up taking! I would seriously consider dropping 5 to 10 pounds of weight though. This will help keep the injuries/wear and tear on your body to a minimum. I know every 5 pounds I drop gives me that much more hiking range and I feel less tired the next morning.

At 35 pounds and with 7 full days food, that is somewhere between 10 and 14 pounds of food which means the rest of your stuff is between 20 and 25 pounds. I'm thinking you should be able to drop at least 5 pounds weight. It will make a difference in your boulder hopping.

sK

Sounds awesome! The cascade valley is beautiful! Hiking through the downed trees will be quite an experience! Make sure to write a trip report!

Will do.. I just finished packing with my pack topping out at 31 lbs. Now if I can just keep it that way till I get past the trail head.. Have a great week everyone and Thanks...