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We are going to be in the Oakhurst/Bass Lake Area over 4th of July weekend. We're hoping to do a nice overnighter somewhere in the Sierra High(ish?) Country. Our plan was to do Chain Lakes, but it seems that this might be a bit of a challenge to access and is likely completely buried in snow at the Chain Lakes themselves.
Does anyone have suggestions for an overnighter in the area? We are hoping for some solitude, alpine scenery and don't mind cold temps but we're not looking to use advanced snow skills.
Wherever you go it will be bizaaaaayyyyyy, fo shizzle. This question has been asked repeatedly of me in the Real World, and the campgrounds are all reserved where that is possible. If you can walk into the Forest Service office on Friday morning early you *might* have a chance at a permit. I am given to understand that one can get to trailheads (Fernandez, Norris) but that driving to Clover Meadow is probably insane due to the necessity of driving through an overflowing bridge....
All the creek crossings in that area are probably going to be likewise INSANE. They had to rescue someone from Willow Creek, which as any locals can tell you is not a dangerous creek and features lovely slides and potholes to play in usually. The guy slipped and fell, was not reckless, but nevertheless had to be belayed out in a litter.
I will recommend you to either the Jackass Lakes trail -- steep but short to Jackass Lakes. Or navigate as close as you can drive to the Iron Lakes trailhead, then hike in on the roads to the OHV trail, which is a mile long and may have standing water here and there but no creeks to cross. No permits for Iron Lake needed. Permits required for Jackass Lakes.
Or the Kaiser Wilderness on 168 rather than Ansel Adams and Bass Lake, as there are some stream crossings but not on the route to Twin Lakes from Potter Pass - you will walk in snow but there are footprints and no real avalanche zones.
