High Sierra Topix

My boyfriend and I are getting married in Mammoth Lakes this summer and we're hoping to go on a 3+ night backpacking trip together after the wedding. (We have 3-5 nights already blocked off, and could potentially go for longer if it's a can't miss trip!) I'm looking for some trail suggestions, entering and exiting on the eastern side. Since we're from the Bay Area and will already be down in Mammoth, we were thinking about heading South towards Kings/Inyo/Sequoia but are pretty open. Ideally, we could find a loop or lollipop that gets us into the high country with some opportunities to fish.

A bit more about us and our packing experience:
We've both gone on several backpacking trips are are comfortable on Class 3 terrain, with river crossings and some snow travel. I like to stick to trail but we have gone off trail on occasion. Generally, we like to keep it to 8-10 miles a day. A one night layover might be nice too!

We've done the Mineral King loop and spent some time up near Thousand Island Lake. I've done Rae Lakes and the North to South Lake but my boyfriend hasn't--we're considering doing North to South again since we're looking for something equally as spectacular.

Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi Laura,

Northern Yosemite Loop (46 miles), 4 nights (5 would be even better). In at Crown Lake, out at Peeler Lake. Beautiful Sawtooth Ridge, great views west at sunset from lake near Finger Peaks, sublime view from the top of Burro Pass down Matterhorn Canyon, great views from Benson Pass, beautiful honeymoon Smedberg Lake, Benson Lakes Rivera like beach, beautiful flower gardens and lovely lakes scattered around Seavey Pass, and beautiful Peeler Lake at the end the trip. You will also have solitude on this loop, which makes it nice for a honeymoon kind of trip.

PS. Oh, congratulations!!!

The Twin Lakes Loop is a great hike--but it might be a bit long for your honeymoon. Another option might be over Virginia Lakes Pass into Virginia Canyon---really beautiful, and pretty darn isolated. We found quite a few scout groups hiking the Twin Lakes trail for their fifty mile merit badge. We saw only one group in three days in Virginia Canyon.

And from even closer to Mammoth, you could just hike up Rush Creek to the JMT, south to Garnet Lake, and then back out through CLark Lakes.

We have trip reports on all three of these hikes on our website under destinations...

Or simply Duck Pass to Iva Bell Hot Springs and out at Reds Meadow. Not really high or remote, but a very pleasant ~30 mile four day loop and the hot springs are great (our trip report from 2010: http://highsierratopix.com/community/vi ... f=1&t=5344).

Thanks everyone for the trip advice! The Northern Yosemite Loop sounds right up our alley! We've already done quite a bit in Ansel Adams and were actually just on the Rush Creek trail a few days ago whereas we haven't done anything around the Sawtooths yet.

This is probably for future reference as it is a bit steep and rugged, but since you describe yourself as able to handle it, Horse Creek Canyon/Pass and Spiller Creek Canyon lie between Matterhorn Canyon and Virginia Pass/Canyon mentioned by Maverick and Balzaccom. Easy class 2 provides great views and some scenic campsites. If you like hot springs after a trip, look up Buckeye. Mono Village at the start of the Northern Yosemite loop quiets down some after July.

Just wanted to circle back to thank everyone again for the great trip advice. HST never steers me wrong! We went for the Northern Yosemite Loop out of Twin Lakes and had a fantastic time. Gorgeous peaks, lakes, and tons of fish! Thanks again!

Hi Laura,

Will we be seeing a Honeymoon TR of this trip posted, hope so?

Absolutely - stay tuned for the trip report! For now, here's a shot from our post-wedding hike to Little Lakes Valley

As promised, Trip Report here - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13445

Thanks again!!!