Backpacking to Charlotte Lake, Kings Canyon National Park, Sierra Nevada

I descended off Kearsarge Pass, hearing about a rabid bat biting two trail crew members at Kearsarge Lakes in the past week or so. They were helicoptered out, got the needed treatment and were fine. That was something new to add to any list of things to consider when solo backpacking.

At the intersection, I took the high trail in the direction of Charlotte Lake, my destination for the day. For 2+ miles, I reveled in the cross-country trail, meaning it meandered mostly down but had its ups, and popping in and out of trees with vistas to blue lakes and rugged, raw, jagged mountains had me flying high.

The view of Bullfrog Lake defined natural beauty:

At the junction with the JMT, I stayed straight and made my way to Charlotte Lake:

The trail dropped to the lake, where I found a camp spot and set up for the afternoon/evening/night. It was only 12:30 in the afternoon. I was hungry and needed to hydrate. My only other plan was to go for a swim, read, write, cook supper and read some more.