High Sierra Topix

frediver, I think that LLV is a great place to take kids for their first trip. I would have to look the miles up to be sure but I think that Chickenfoot Lake is a little further than 2mls. Here is a link to a TR that I took my 9yr old grandson on last July to Chickenfoot.

http://highsierratopix.com/community/vi ... =1&t=11999

Thanks for the link, it looks great.
Guess I will plan on a bear can.
What were the fire rules at the time?

There are no fires in Little Lakes Valley. The trail head starts at 10,200 feet. As I recall it's one of the highest trail heads in the state.

As for taking a kid there it's a great place for that. The hiking is really easy and there are a ton of beautiful lakes to visit even within that short distance.

The down side is since it's so easy and beautiful there can be a ton of people.

The Gem Lakes are about 4 miles in and they are some of the furthest. A 7 year old should be able to handle that. Don't forget that 9 year old girl that hiked the whole PCT!

Big Ed wrote:I had solitude from Pine Creek trailhead almost to Chickenfoot Lake. Side note, that's a bighorn sheep area, no dogs allowed. It is a very interesting area. I enjoyed not having the crowds, the trail was fairly crowded on the way out to Mosquito Flat trailhead.

No dogs allowed? The Ranger in bishop told me otherwise over the phone.... What's your source?


Reason I ask is I'm planning a trip where I can bring the pups this September...

I've seen dogs roaming the trail In that area.

I just returned today from Lower Morgan Lake and it’s spectacular.
No people at all, lots of fat rainbows though.
Some remnants of previous camping and mining.

Tried to return to our vehicle last Friday after doing Italy Pass/JMT/Mono Pass. Ran into large washout on the road around 9500 ft elevation. Had to turn around. Beware. No easy way down from this washout. Probably could be done but we didn't feel it was worth the risk.

John

Morgan Creek Road to Pine Creek Trailhead to be clear.

johnbarrett wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 1:11 pm Tried to return to our vehicle last Friday after doing Italy Pass/JMT/Mono Pass. Ran into large washout on the road around 9500 ft elevation. Had to turn around. Beware. No easy way down from this washout. Probably could be done but we didn't feel it was worth the risk.

John

Yep, true story.

johnbarrett wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 1:11 pm Tried to return to our vehicle last Friday after doing Italy Pass/JMT/Mono Pass. Ran into large washout on the road around 9500 ft elevation. Had to turn around. Beware. No easy way down from this washout. Probably could be done but we didn't feel it was worth the risk.
John

It is fairly sketchy to descend into it, but you can go high above the trail to find a much easier crossing. There is sort of a "use trail" that has developed. So, if you're descending and you find your way cutoff by the washout, turn left and ascend until you are at a place where the slope angle is less. You'll see a little path going across. Once you've done this, you can descend fairly easily back to the trail then continue until you run into a 2nd (lower) washout. The lower one is easy to avoid by simply cutting the switchback (again, there is a little usepath). I went up this with my daughter and a friend on day 1 of an 8 day trip back in July so the lower washout was the first one in the following report: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20842