High Sierra Topix

Hi all - I am planning a solo trip. 3 days / 2 nights. Ideally head up Friday of July 4th weekend, hit the trail on Saturday to return that Monday.

Experience: Level 2
Comfort: Level 1/2
Interests: Lake/Forests/Photo. Good camping and stretching my legs for 6 - 10 miles/day

Not eager for super grueling or snow related travel (ie ice axes/crampons, etc). Want to test new gear and get trail legs working again (been on few year layoff....). Loop preferred than out-n-back, if possible. Will be solo so shuttling is not an option.

Prefer SEKI and western sierra. Could go furhter north to Yosemite area. Would consider Eastern Sierra. Not eager for tons solitude since I am on the trail solo. So some crowds are fine.

Welcome any suggestions; I'd like to put in permit request asap if required and still available for recommended trail.

Thanks!

- Dinky Lakes Wilderness (Central)
- Horse Corral>Seville Lake>Lost Lake (SEKI)
- Wolverton>Heather Lake>Pear Lake>day hike to Moose Lake (SEKI)
- Roads End>Paradise Valley>Castle Dome (SEKI)

Thanks Maverick.

Looking at map and so i clearly understand what you are saying:

Is it feasible to do full loop out either via Russell Meadow with evening stop in Lost Lake or Ranger Lake, cross Silliman Pass, camp before JO Pass, and then back out? Or better to go via Lodgepole to Ranger Lake to Seville Lake and back out via JO Pass? Which route would you go? Where would you camp along way to space things well for beauty at night / energy by day.

I assume full loop is doable? Which routing makes more sense? Trying figure out for permit request.

Thanks!

We've done the former route---Rowell Meadow to Jennie Lake. Day two to Seville Lake over JO and Silliman Pass, and Day three about out again

Lovely area. There's a trip report and more information on our website in the destinations section....or PM for more data.

Here is the route with the camp spots, first at Jennie Lake and second at Lost Lake, starting from Horse Corral Meadows to Jennie Lakes via Marvin Pass.
HST Map

maverick wrote:Here is the route with the camp spots, first at Jennie Lake and second at Lost Lake, starting from Horse Corral Meadows to Jennie Lakes via Marvin Pass.
HST Map

Much appreciated. I am gonna check the distance of this versus doing a Lodgepole-> Ranger Lake -> Jennie Lake (or somewhere on trail beforehand if feasible) -> Lodgepole. I venture Lodgepole might add a mile or two.

Horse Corral Meadow 31.40
Lodgepole 32.10

maverick wrote:Horse Corral Meadow 31.40
Lodgepole 32.10

Thank you!

2 nights/3 days... July 4 holiday means major quota issues for popular trailheads so will suggest a less used trailhead. Western SEKI would have holiday quota issues for any worthwhile destinations. And any national forest popular lakes may also be an issue because the choices one day out from trailheads are few in that region.

So here is a sure bet if you do your homework. From Mountain Home to Summit Lake. Once up at that elevation there are miles of trails to explore on your layover day without much up and down and lots of easy ridge lines to climb up to off trails.

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=36.24965,-118.67096&z=14&t=T

More driving would be some of the destinations in the Dinky Lakes Wilderness especially those from the less used Courtright Reservoir side.

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.10993,-118.98810&z=13&t=T

David
http://www.davidsenesac.com/2016_Trip_C ... les-0.html

Thanks! Yea, I am going peak weekend. Given fact I am trekking solo, I am ok with more foot traffic on trails. But I guess you're right - should get on a permit to guarantee my trail. Thanks!