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    6 Days Alone in the High Sierra



    6 Days Alone in the High Sierra

    A solo off-trail backpacking adventure through Kings Canyon National Park in California, starting at Onion valley and visiting Rae Lakes. This is an ambient silent hiking film with ethereal music and no talking.

    Check out my other video about Sequoia National Park:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK3MQ04ZGjw&list=PLV5wkkw4-4o1w0DnwFtxLOctKadb097Dc&index=10

    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/basin_and_range
    (Commentary videos, GPX tracks, and more content)

    🗺️ About the route:

    I created a 30 mile loop in Kings Canyon National park, which starts at Onion Valley campground and enters via Golden Trout Lakes trail. I did this trip September 30 – October 5 2025. I have also done the Rae lakes loop and I consider this route to be the ultimate alternative, logistics are similar but this route stays high the entire time and visits Rae lakes as well, which is the best part of the Rae lakes loop.
    This route is shorter than most routes I do but it is a lot of work. Day 1 crosses the off-trail Dragon pass, a challenging and seldom used route that drops you into the iconic Rae Lakes area. Most people visiting Rae Lakes use the Glen Pass route which is longer and on-trail, so it’s an interesting experience to enter this way but should require prior experience with cross country travel or mountaineering. After Rae Lakes, there is more off trail terrain through the stunning Gardiner basin area. Finishing the trip through Kearsarge is also a big highlight. A permit for Golden trout lakes trail is required, and much easier to obtain than the Kearsarge pass permit.

    ❕Disclaimers:

    This video is for the purpose of entertainment and inspiration only, it is not a guide or trip report. Always do your own research on the terrain and conditions. Attempt hikes like this responsibly and at your own risk.

    ☕️ Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/basinandrange

    http://instagram.com/alisha.maddy

    🎶 Music:
    https://www.youtube.com/@mariomj4535
    https://www.youtube.com/@DreymaComposer
    https://www.youtube.com/@LucaRicciComposer

    1. Aurora (from the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim) cover by MarioMJ45
    2. Vanguard by Dreyma
    3. The Heartlands by Dreyma
    4. The Light of Aetherius by Dreyma
    5. Ysmir by Dreyma
    6. Secunda (from the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim) cover by Dreyma
    7. Winterhold by Dreyma
    8. Awake (from the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim) by Luca Ricci
    9. Before the Storm (from the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim) by Jeremy Soule

    ⏰ Timestamps:

    00:00 Intro
    00:27 Day 1 – Dragon Pass
    03:48 Day 2 – Rae Lakes
    08:43 Day 3 – Sixty Lakes Col
    14:58 Day 4 – Gardiner Basin
    20:49 Day 5 – Kearsarge Lakes
    24:19 Day 6 – Kearsarge Pass
    26:09 Outro

    View 43 Comments

    43 Comments

    14. @robinowen3058 on

      Amazing film! You are daring, brave and without a doubt a very experienced and capable outdoors person. Your filming is artistic and zen, such a pleasure!

    20. @JimmyBrooks-t7r2d on

      Your Sierra travels are second to none.Impressive route finding skills.When you were passing through Sixty Lakes basin i was wondering if you would make it to Gardiner Basin but of course after all you have been to Ionian Basin already.

    22. @randyspotts5069 on

      Absolutely no way! Once you got over Dragon Pass, I had a hunch that Gardiner Basin would be in the picture. That last long lake in 60 Lakes Basin, as my two friends and I made our way to what I called Gardiner Col, that Lake had huge trout in it. As we started the traverse to the col, We looked down into the water which was about 100 ft below or more, and it looked like a submarine pen! Once we got over what you call 60 Lakes col, We headed to the rock glacier below, traversed across it's face, and finally made our way to Gardiner Lake. You were probably wondering when this was. How about June of 1976! We started in from Kearsarge, and got snowed on during the first night. The weather was great the rest of the trip. I can't thank you enough for the trip down memory lane. The revolution will not be televised!

    24. @tonynewton5713 on

      we did this two years but went over kearsarge then glen pass. we also went way way too fast (4 days). we totally ruined our trip going that fast. excellent work. would never ever consider doing this on my own. you are the real deal girl.

    26. @denisest2472 on

      Your use of videography and photography is absolutely stunning. Each view captures a story…. without words.  

      I can't help but ask how you keep your feet warm and dry in those conditions.

      Keep up the beautiful work and please stay safe out there :-)))))

    27. @UnpackingBackpacking on

      This a fantastic route through some of my favorite basins in the area. For anyone who's already done the Rae Lakes loop and looking to do some off trail travel in the area, I would follow this route to a T…(some extra meandering around 60 Lake Basin wouldn't hurt). Great work and beautiful videography!

    28. @Vito_Tuxedo on

      Hi Alisha – I am well past my backpacking years, but this recaptures an essence of those experiences in the High Sierra. I make music now, some of it like the exquisite sounds in this superbly produced video. Your trip description is literate, and reveals intelligence, competence, and self-reliance, which your adventure shows. You walk, sit, and carry yourself like a self-confidently feminine woman, something that I respect and revere, and is refreshingly welcome in this kind of video. You brought a faint nostalgic tear to my eye, Alisha. Thank you for rekindling that connection to my past. 💟🙏😎

    30. @randyspotts5069 on

      Supplemental… I hadn't finished your video when I last commented. When we came out of Gardiner Basin in 1976, our next stop was Charlotte Lake. From there, we made our way back to the car at Onion Valley. Hard to believe that was 50 years ago. The two friends that I was with on The Gardiner trip were fraternity Brothers. I happened to join this weekend. I've been in Redlands CA this weekend attending a fraternity reunion. I'm going to share this video with both of them. In 2024, I took a Goodwill tour of the Eastern Sierra. I already commented on your 2024 video that I unknowingly parked near your car at North Lake. A few days after my Paiute pass hike, I did a day hike from Onion Valley to Kearsarge pass. I parked in the exact same spot you did… I could tell by the Subaru's proximity to the forest service outhouse! Now then, is the universe evolved by atomic Force, or what? Best wishes toward your ever northward journeys to achieve ultimate isolation!

    31. @pauldokter2725 on

      You can only guess at my envy. In the '60's and '70's we had single lens reflex cameras to capture the feeling of Time you have so cleverly represented here. I recognize your spirit and wish you well dear trekker. However, I am curious about the lightweight trail shoes you wear. I've been over this terrain too, but with Alpinspitz and Pivettas not trail runners. Granted all the gear was heavier then, but you also crossed the Palisades in those shoes and in my imagination I'm saying, "ouch". I'm also curious as to why you aren't summiting. Dragon Peak and others are right there by the passes and those summits are where the angels dance. They love you too and will share their secrets with you.

    34. @georgesolanakis8264 on

      Another awesome video thank you so much! You are the only hiker on YouTube that puts callouts on key points of interest! That is a genius idea and I can't tell you how much it helps! ❤ The landscape reminded me so much the White mountains from The Lord of the rings! Music you chose is excellent 👌

    40. @tomsemrad3685 on

      Absolutely Epic video! Very interesting route selection. Thank you for sharing. I have heard that the lower Gardiner basin is quite a bushwhack but you made it seem not so bad. I think that some but not all who are lucky enough to enjoy your videos will know that you are doing some very difficult cross country passes on your trips. But you film it spectacularly as well! I have found no other videos that make me feel the way I feel in these wilderness places better than yours. Cheers!

    41. @Mr.Anshartist22 on

      I am from India your video is so beautiful but You should not have put the song in the video, meaning of Sant Field, please make the video like Sant Video Harman Hawk

    42. @clarkleakins879 on

      Anyone who watches this episode as intended, in a quiet room, low evening light, will come to understand why this place is known as "the range of light".
      Some car campgrounds in the Sierra, this light can be experienced, no need to hike for hours.

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