A "jeep" road branches off the pavement up Bear Creek Valley to the trailhead which is next to the dam. If you do not have a four wheel drive but you are a skillful and careful driver you can make it to the dam in a conventional vehicle.
I was on the trail at 9:45 and hiked next to the enchanting green pools of Bear Creek until around 1:00 when I stopped for lunch.
A pool on Bear Creek - If I had not been focused on getting up the trail, it would have been tempting to stop and enjoy fishing or lounging by one of the many pools on Bear Creek.
At around 2:00, I had made the John Muir Trail (JMT) and stayed on it until reaching the Sandpiper Lake trail at 4:40. I arrived at my campsite on Medley Lakes at 6:20.
One of the Medley Lakes - This little basin is filled with small lakes, some of which contain large golden trout. I had to satisfy myself with soaking in the lovely surroundings since the fish were not interested in what I had to offer.
I tried my luck fishing but caught only smallfry which I threw back.
I took an early morning side trip to Three Island Lake and I was ready to continue on the hike, now off trail, at a little before 8:00. I made the pass to Seven Gables Lake at about 10:00 where I met a group from the bay area.
Unnamed pass that leads from Medley Lakes to Seven Gables Lake - I took this photo on the way to Vee Lake (from the east). The pass does not look like much from the west, so I have no photo of it from that direction.
We decended in to the valley together then went our separate ways after spending lunch together.
Descending the first cross-country pass - I was surprised to meet a fairly large group of hikers at the top of the pass. We chatted for a while then descended to the valley below.
I fished Seven Gables Lake a little without luck
Seven Gables Lake - A nice lunch spot, but the fishing left a lot to be desired. I don't know what I expected. After all it was mid-day.
then ascended the use trail to Vee Lake where I fished until my reel broke.
Vee Lake - Since Vee is one of the largest lakes in the area, I figured it might have large fish in it. My reel broke before I could find out.
I continued deeper into the basin past Black Bear Lake and up to White Bear Lake.
Black Bear Lake - The view of this lake appealed to me for some reason. I camped upslope from it and downslope from White Bear Lake.
The area around White Bear was too exposed for camping, so I returned to a creek I had passed on the way up. After dinner, I hiked out to a point overlooking Big Bear Lake and saw three large groups camped around it and I was glad I hadn't stopped there. There was a nice view of the Seven Gables.
The Seven Gables were named by Theodore Solomons on one of his quests to find a route connecting Yosemite with Kings Canyon. Solomons sure had a knack for coining a name that would stick. Where did he see these "Seven Gables", anyway? Has anyone else wondered the same thing?
The final day, I was on the trail around 7:30. At 8:00, I began an ascent of Peak 12,756 and arrived at the top a half hour later.
Peak 12,756 - I had time to ascend this peak from the pass. The sandy slope is an easy walk up. The view of the summit from the pass is so unimpressive that I did not photograph it.
Views of the area, including Lake Italy, were marvelous.
Lake Italy - The view of the surroundings, including nearby Lake Italy, was superb. As you can see from the photos, there is not a whole lot of vegetation to block views in these desolate basins.
It may have been the high point of the trip (no pun intended.) I decended to Jumble Lake (nice fish), rock hopped by some lovely columbines,
Columbines near Jumble Lake - They were so pretty, I just had to include them.
and by 10:30, I had made Lake Italy. I was now back on trail which followed the Hilgard Branch of Bear Creek down to the main branch of Bear Creek.
Falls on the Hilgard Branch of Bear Creek - I steamed down the trail next to this stream at a pretty good clip. But, I had to stop at this lovely little water fall and enjoy the view for a few moments.
I retraced the trail, passing emerald pools
Another pool on Bear Creek - If I had not been focused on getting down the trail, it would have been tempting to stop and enjoy fishing or lounging by one of the many pools on Bear Creek.
and cascades and made the trail head at Bear Dam at 6:40.
One of many cascades on Bear Creek
1997
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One Page version 29 January 2013