DAY 4. THE LONE RANGER
My plan for this day was to hike back over Kaweah Gap Pass and on to Tamarack Lake. Not quite.
I arrived back at Precipice Lake at 9AM. I was shocked to see backpackers up here already from Hamilton Lake. They seemed to be hiking very fast (which is impossible on this steep rocky terrain) but they must have started hiking extremely early. I think it took me 3 hours to get up to Precipice the previous day, though I’m not the fastest hiker in the book. Even going back down to Hamilton Lake took a very long time.
It was a very hot day. I got to Lower Hamilton Lake Falls at around noon and had my lunch. There was just a tiny bit of shade to sit down and rest. I was very tired already and I still had 2000 ft. to climb to get up to Tamarack Lake. It was not going to happen. I decided to change the plan. I could have made it to Tamarack Lake if I really had to but I thought of a much better plan which was to camp at Lone Pine Creek Falls. The first problem: it is very rocky at Lone Pine Creek Falls and there is no place to setup the tent. I searched all around. I did not want to continue hiking any further. Finally I found one small space that would have to make do. It was going to be a bit of a rough night in the tent (not too bad though).
The second problem: there was no shade whatsoever at this campsite. I was burning up! I found a rock to hide behind and got into a semi-comfortable position to sit down all afternoon. The occasional ant would climb up on me and bite me (I hate that!) but I managed to relax for the afternoon.
In the evening I crossed the creek and went up to the waterfall. Lone Pine Creek Falls is a gorgeous tiered waterfall 100 ft. high. You can see it from the HST but it is off the beaten path and no one would want to take the time to go see it up close (it is not a good camping spot as I said, plus everyone wants to get up to Hamilton Lake). I had a very relaxing time at this waterfall. I could really take my time and enjoy it and took many photos. I was all alone at Lone Pine Creek. Good night day 4.