style="font-size:15px;"> Topos: Courtright Reservoir, Ward Mountain, Blackcap Mt., Mt. Henry
Highlights: This trip takes an old sheepherder’s route, known as the Baird Trail, from the subalpine meadows at Post Corral Creek to the stunning alpine scenery surrounding Devils Punchbowl, a lake in remote Red Mountain Basin and a good spot from which to explore the basin. The trek then descends via Meadow Brook, one of the Sierra’s most picturesque subalpine meadows, to take in spectacular views of the North Fork Kings River.
DAY 1 (Maxson Trailhead to Post Corral Meadows, 7.5 miles): (Recap: Trip 7, Day 1.) Leaving the trailhead from the west side, head north along the marked trail for 300 yards until it joins the Dusy Jeep Trail. After about 1 mile, an obvious log signed NO MOTOR VEHICLES bars vehicles; cross the log and turn right (northeast). Go generally north next to a small creek for a half mile before fording it at the entrance to Maxson Meadows. Follow a raised wood and sand trail designed to help protect the area.
After passing Chamberlain’s Camp, the trail climbs about a mile of rocky switchbacks. Beyond, the trail levels off in a dense stand of lodgepole pine and comes to the signed Hobler Lake/Post Corral Meadows junction (8872´; 11S 327623 4110278). Take the right fork (east).
The trail is briefly wide and flat and then begins to descend short switchbacks. Where the sandy trail leaves the forest, cross a seasonal creek and enter Long Meadow. Late-starters will find several campsites (8544´; 11S 329085 4110671) on the small, short rise to the north of the meadow.
Traverse Long Meadow and then descend to a poorly signed junction with the Burnt Corral Creek Trail (easily missed when heading east along this route; don’t worry if you don’t see it). Continue ahead (east) next to the stream and then ford it after about 0.75 mile.
The trail then gradually descends while turning south. When the trail reaches a short wooden bridge and flattens, it is another mile to the Post Corral Creek ford. There are several quiet, hard-to-spot campsites tucked into the trees along this section of the trail. (If the sites at Post Corral Creek are full, backtrack to this area.)
Just before the ford of Post Corral Creek, a granite boulder field opens on the right (west) side of the trail. There are several obvious campsites here (8200´; 11S 331535 4110014).
DAY 2 (Post Corral Meadows to Rae Lake, 5.5 miles): Top off water supplies here; today’s route gains 1600 feet in 5 miles with no reliable water.
After leaving the campsites, head east to ford Post Corral Creek (wet in early season) and shortly find the signed Blackcap/Red Mountain Basin junction. Turn left (east). The trail then begins to climb the ridge separating Post Corral Creek and Fleming Creek. The first mile is moderate under shady pine cover, but shortly thereafter the trail steepens over dynamited slabs.
Continue up the obvious path to the small, wooded flat before reaching the switchbacks that lead up the last few hundred feet to the ridgeline. The trail turns toward the northeast and begins a more gentle ascent up the forested north flank of Fleming Creek’s canyon.
After 1.5 miles, the track turns north and ascends steep, rocky switchbacks to gain the meadows surrounding small, photogenic Fleming Lake. Here, the landscape takes on a definite subalpine character with less tree cover and more exposed granite boulders and slabs.
The path crosses Fleming Lake’s outlet and soon meets a junction with the Hell For Sure Pass Trail at the foot of a long meadow dotted with colorful wildflowers. Turn left (north) here and climb to a shaded hillside junction with the short spur trail leading to Rae Lake (9889´; 11S 335881 4113427). Idyllic campsites lie beneath the trees on the north banks of the lake, and there is good fishing for brook trout.
DAY 3 (Rae Lake to Devils Punchbowl, 4 miles): Return to the Hell For Sure Trail junction. Turn left (east) and shortly ford Fleming Creek. The path then begins a 500-foot ascent that starts on a tree-covered slope with patches of meadow and wildflowers. With the terrain growing dry and sandy, the trail gains a ridgetop and briefly turns south to cross open meadows and seasonal creeks before heading east again.
In another mile, find the unsigned junction with a trail to Devils Punchbowl next to a tall, gray stump. Turn right (south) and pass a small lake before dropping 300 feet to reach East Fork Fleming Creek. The trail crosses at a rocky ford (wet in early season) and then climbs 300 feet to the low ridge on the north side of Devils Punchbowl. Good campsites are located on the east side of the lake (10,098´; 11S 337471 4110684). The lake is popular with hikers and fishermen, so please make an effort to minimize your impact. This ideal location makes a great spot for a layover day, as the rugged terrain of Red Mountain Basin on all sides begs for exploration.
DAY 4 (Devils Punchbowl to North Fork Kings River, 5.5 miles): From the north side of the lake, the trail heads south along the granite walls that dam the lake. Midway along the ridge, you can spy the small Jigger Lakes below and to the west. At the southwest corner of Devils Punchbowl, the trail makes several short switchbacks to gain a saddle before turning to the south and beginning a 2000-foot descent to North Fork Kings River.
The descent begins with a 200-foot sandy slope leading to lush meadows at the head of Meadow Brook. In the next mile, the path skirts the west side of the meadows, threading past lavender shooting star, purple Sierra gentian, and monkeyflower. The views from this section of trail are breathtaking: With the meadow in the foreground, you can see all the way to the far side of the North Fork Kings River drainage. Cattle may be run in this drainage; if present, they certainly detract from the natural beauty of the meadows. There are many idyllic spots to lunch and take in this meadow’s beautiful setting.
After this pleasurable mile, the grade steepens and turns southwest away from the creek, angling down a forested moraine. The next mile descends continuously, and stands of red fir, Jeffrey pine, and quaking aspen welcome you back to lower elevation. The path levels out on open granite slabs at the bottom of the grade and reaches a signed junction with the Blackcap Mountain Trail. Turn right (west) along North Fork Kings River, soon curving northwest and shortly fording Fleming Creek. Cross a forested flat, descend a little to slabs near the river, and then climb an open hillside to a ridgetop with fine views over North Fork Kings River.
GLACIERS AND EXPLORERS ON NORTH FORK KINGS RIVER
The entire granitic North Fork Kings River’s canyon was covered with glacial ice many times during the past million years, and the most recent glacier retreated up-canyon only about 11,000 years ago. At this spot, it is interesting to speculate on the route followed in this area by Capt. John C. Frémont, the “Pathfinder.” Historians are unsure of the exact route, but they do agree that Frémont’s party got lost high in this drainage in during Frémont’s second great expedition of 1843-44. They were caught in an early winter storm, were forced to eat their saddle stock, and finally retreated.
Descend from the ridge and follow the sandy, undulating trail as it winds through forest and small meadows for 2 miles to a ford of an unnamed creek. Meet the Blackcap Mountain/Red Mountain Basin Trail at the junction near Post Corral Creek. Turn left (northwest) here and ford Post Corral Creek to find the good campsites of Day 1 (8200´; 11S 331535 4110014). The loop part of this trip ends here.
DAY 5 (Post Corral Meadows to Maxson Trailhead, 7.5 miles): Retrace your steps to the trailhead.
Courtright Reservoir—Cliff Lake Trailhead 8454; 11S 323436 4108468
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