High Sierra Topix

maverick wrote:Called a friend who works at the Mammoth Lakes Visitor Center, they have 12 walk-in permits for the River Trail, and 12 for the Shadow Lake Trail, they said, on average they have 6-7 permits available in the morning for same day hikes available, but they also said, that their could also be only 1.
They advised that you call around 4:45pm (close at 5 pm), the day before your trip, and inquire about how many permits are left for walk-ins the next morning, and if they have enough, get there at least 30 min's before they open (8 am).
5 people really complicates things.

Another area you should consider is Matterhorn Canyon, out of Twin Lakes, hike to Crown Lake for the first night (7.2 miles), then stay at the lakes under Finger Peaks and Burro Pass, the views of the Sawtooth Ridge at sunset is spectacular, as are the view west from the lakes at Finger Peaks, but the "piece de resistance" are the views from the top of Burro Pass, looking down into Matterhorn Canyon is a Sierra classic that should not be missed!

Thank you very much for doing this for me. This gives me some hope. I also called the visitor centre although they give me more disturbing news. They said the walk-in permit for Friday is likely to be exhausted at Thursday 11am when they will have a lottery for all the people lined up (wow). I will definitely try to call them at Thursday at 4:45 like you suggested since the thousand lake trip is optimal as many said. Otherwise my hope is people get sick and don't show up so I can get their permit at 10am (omg I am a horrible person). Its good I have some backup trips around that area and one of them ( 20 lakes basin) doesn't even have quota.

So for the trip you suggested in Twin Lakes should I get the permit from the same place as the river trail? And suggested I basecamp at crown lake and go clock-wise on the loop to checkout the burro pass in the middle day? I think we can't finish the whole loop since its 50 miles long. I got my information at a post called NORTHERN YOSEMITE – HOOVER WILDERNESS 50 MILE LOOP

So for the trip you suggested in Twin Lakes should I get the permit from the same place as the river trail? And suggested I basecamp at crown lake and go clock-wise on the loop to checkout the burro pass in the middle day? I think we can't finish the whole loop since its 50 miles long. I got my information at a post called NORTHERN YOSEMITE – HOOVER WILDERNESS 50 MILE LOOP

You will have to pick up your wilderness permit in Bridgeport, it belongs to Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Your entire mileage is approx 12-13 miles from the trailhead to Burro Pass. Personally, I would get up there early, pick up a permit in Bridgeport, hike in as far as you can get, comfortably, then get up early Sat morning, hike to the lakes near Burro for the night. Your packs should be very light with only 3 days (2 nights worth of food). Get up early and hike back to the trailhead on Sunday.

The Northern Yosemite Loop is a 4 nighter, at least, more for most.

Just keep this trip in mind if the 1000 Is Lake trip is a no go, but if you would rather desire something more relaxing, maybe less stressful, but quite beautiful too, stick with 20 Lakes Basin, the Conness Lakes are real gems (no camping), Mount Conness is a beautiful peak, and the upper lakes in 20 Lakes Basin are very picturesque.

Check your PM Terry.

It appears that there are 11 reservable permits available for the Shadow Creek TH for Sat. Aug. 15.

markley wrote:It appears that there are 11 reservable permits available for the Shadow Creek TH for Sat. Aug. 15.

You will also note all other dates in August are reserved (except 1 slot one day). So why are there 11 on a Saturday no less? Because a large group apparently just CANCELLED freeing up reservations. As soon as others find out it will quickly be gone. So IF you have an interest act quickly TODAY. The same day walk up permit information you received directly on your visitor center phone call is reality.

Although 20 Lakes Basin is a superb scenic destination with easy hiking, it is also very popular with both dayhikers and backpackers without reserved permits so one will not have much privacy having to put up with other people and groups. In any case a good backpack choice without complications. You cannot get a reserved permit for that area but rather only via walk-up permits at either the Mono Lake Visitor Center or the Tuolumne Meadows Backcountry Office.

Crown Lake with 2700 feet of uphill and 7.5 miles would be a stiff hike for many. East Lake is half that in vertical and mileage while also being as scenic. It is however at the end of several miles of a dusty though easily driven dirt road.

David

markley wrote:It appears that there are 11 reservable permits available for the Shadow Creek TH for Sat. Aug. 15.

SSSdave wrote: So IF you have an interest act quickly TODAY.

Thank you for telling this in this timely manner markley! I was actually checking daily for River Trail and didn't know this pop up first. I have reserved the permit. Good thing about online reservation is they can be canceled if needed. Seems like my pray is working, I will try harder.

SSSdave wrote: Crown Lake with 2700 feet of uphill and 7.5 miles would be a stiff hike for many

I will mail out the application for permit for Crown Lake and East Lake, as the secondary location, today. 7.5 and 2700 feet should be manageable. My humble opinion is, food is more delicious when you are hungry, scenery will feel better if it come at a price.

My humble opinion is, food is more delicious when you are hungry, scenery will feel better if it come at a price.

Well said. Glad to read, that things are leaning more your way Terry.

Glad things are coming together for you!! Sounds like we are looking at the same area for the same time frame. I reserved permits for Shadow Creek as well.

SSSdave wrote:Although 20 Lakes Basin is a superb scenic destination with easy hiking, it is also very popular with both dayhikers and backpackers without reserved permits so one will not have much privacy having to put up with other people and groups. In any case a good backpack choice without complications. You cannot get a reserved permit for that area but rather only via walk-up permits at either the Mono Lake Visitor Center or the Tuolumne Meadows Backcountry Office. David

Funny you should mention 20 Lakes Basin Dave..i've been debating between hiking to Ediza from Shadow Creek vs. this route: Saddlebag>Upper McCabe lake>Roosevelt Lake>Young Lake>Tuolumne (hitching back to saddlebag)

pick a route already! Do it and you'll be happy.

markley wrote:Glad things are coming together for you!! Sounds like we are looking at the same area for the same time frame. I reserved permits for Shadow Creek as well.

Wait what? You reserved shadow creek "as well"? Aren't I suppose to reserve Robinson Creek for Crown lake or Green Creek for East Lake? Hopefully I didn't reserve the wrong trailhead Orz....

EDIT: Don't mind what I just said. I am an idiot.