By Bret Wirta
July 8, 2009
Distance: 7.4 Miles One-Way. Elevation Gain: Over 3,500 Feet.
Most of the lower half of the hike isn’t very steep
I was excited to hike to Royal Basin because it held a high alpine lake and snowfields that was the source of Royal Creek. It was going to be a long day hike that would take me to over 6,000 feet, but I was confident I could make it, providing my soon-to-be, fifty year-old body held out and the weather didn’t work against me.
I signed in at the trailhead at 7:15AM. There was plenty of parking. You’ll need a permit and to pay a fee if you’re camping overnight. The trailhead elevation was at 2,500 feet. I tucked my rain jacket into my tiny day pack and at the last minute crammed in my heavy polar fleece. That turned out to be a very wise decision.