Robert "Marmot Bob" Kelley took his last backpacking trip with his son Konley Kelley, grandson Kurtis Kelley, and friends Evan Serpa and Jake Martin to Apollo Lake from July 26-31, 2014. The group hiked along Bear Creek, passed double waterfalls, reached a granite shelf after climbing 300 steps, and set up camp at Kip Camp with luxuries. They continued on the John Muir Trail, crossed creeks in crocks, and made an emergency camp as daylight ran out before reaching their destination of Apollo Lake at 10,600 feet, with its year-round glacier, where they enjoyed the views before Marmot Bob said his farewells.

1. Marmot Bob’s Last Backpacking TripMarmot Bob’s Last Backpacking Trip
ApolloApollo LakeLake
July 26 to July 31, 2014

3. Jake Martin, age 13 Evan Serpa, age 18 Kurtis Kelley, age 15 Konley Kelley, age 47
Robert “Marmot Bob” Kelley, age 73

4. On the Trail

5. Much beauty

6. Rest and swim

7. First Camp

8. First of many miracles

9. Back on the trail

10. Along Bear Creek

11. Double Waterfalls

12. Picture tradition
1997
2014

13. Picture tradition

14. Aspen Grove and native fauna

15. 300 steps

16. Granite shelf

17. The Pass

18. Kip Camp

19. Camp luxuries

20. Starting the John Muir Trail

21. The John Muir Trail

22. Sights on the JMT

23. Fathers and Sons

24. Creek Crossing in Crocks

25. “Off-trail” up to Apollo Lake

26. Daylight running out – Emergency Camp

27. Final hike up to Apollo Lake

28. Tender moment

29. Dirty lake – almost there

30. Small lakes leading to Apollo

31. Apollo Lake, elevation 10,600 ft.

32. Apollo Lake year-round glacier

33. Apollo Lake base camp

34. Evan’s napping spot

35. Evan summits Apollo Rock

36. Evan is as high as you can get

37. Sights around Apollo Lake

38. The elevation can tire you out

39. The beauty…

40. …and the danger

41. Apollo Lake last shots

42. Marmot Bob says farewell

43. Photos by:
Robert Kelley
Konley Kelley
Kurtis Kelley
Evan Serpa
Hikers:
Robert “Marmot Bob” Kelley
Konley Kelley
Kurtis Kelley
Evan Serpa
Jake Martin