High Sierra Topix

Let's say you have 6 days, but are sort of slow-moving (not more than 10 miles/day on trail; 4 miles off-trail).

What would be your choice destination lake(s) in Sabrina Basin if your priorities were,

- Solitude,
- Extraordinary alpine/lake scenery,
- Excellent swimming, and
- The x-country can't be too hard-core, as we'll have a scared-of-heights person with us. No harder than easy Class 2.

With six days, there should be time to explore more than one of the strings of lakes in Sabrina Basin. On the other hand, maybe we'll move super-slowly and just fully enjoy one single string of lakes, perhaps reaching one of the higher-altitude lakes at around 11,500 (assuming again that the x-country is reasonable).

No fishing. No peak-bagging.

- Elizabeth

Of the lakes in Sabrina Basin, I think the most scenic is Hungry Packer Lake, even if one includes the high and rugged Echo Lake. I haven't been to the chain of lakes that includes Fishgut Lakes, but they always looked like a nice little hideaway. I think I like the scenery in the western chain (ie Dingleberry-Topsy Turvy-Moonlight-Hungry Packer) a bit more than the eastern chain (Blue-etc.). The core areas (Blue-Dingleberry etc.) tend to have a lot of people but these destinations and the basin in general has a lot of nooks and crannies where you can get a nice site for your group with seclusion. If you like swimming, this is probably best at a shallower (this means warmer) and lower lake such as Dingleberry but this is one of the more crowded destinations (Hungry Packer sees far fewer people).

I agree with GB that Hungry Packer Lake is most scenic lake in the basin. Also the waterfall going out of Echo is nice too. Blue Heaven Lake is also pretty cool.

Texan

My favorite up there is Sailor Lake. I think it's a bit better than Hungry Packer Lake, but only by a little and mainly because I like the view of Picture Peak better from Sailor. Not sure if either are the best for solitude. You'd probably get more of that at Moonlight or Echo Lake, although Echo is pretty sparse on sites. Don't know what the views are like or how hard it is to get there, but I've always been curious about Fish Gut Lakes. Probably some solitude up there.


Picture Peak from Sailor Lake



Picture Peak from Hungry Packer Lake

Baboon Lakes are a good choice. Don't see many people up there and there are some nice sites. Here is the view from a favorite site. This pic is from June. With 6 days you could get to this area and the Hungry Packer side too.

Although I love Hungry Packer Lk, campsites are very limited. There are many more choices at Moonlight and the surrounding area.

Sailor Lake is tops for photography, Hungry Packer is nice, Moonlight Falls is gorgeous, if there is a good volume of water flowing. Bottleneck Lake is pretty, and can be accessed from Dingleberry Lakes, xcountry route (easy class 2 scramble). Emerald Lakes and Donkey Lake is pretty nice too, and worth visiting.
The other higher lakes are more desolate, rugged, and to close to the crest, but worth a seeing if you have the time.