where to do a warm-up 4-day backpacking in Sierra 7/10-14?

[hiac]

Hi, I will fly in vegas 7/19 night, and leave 7/10 late afternoon. I've done Rae Lake a few years back in July. first backpacking this year. I don't have backpacking permit, plan to try my luck for a walk-in permit in Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center in 7/10 morning. If I can't get permit, I plan to do some day hike near high 395.

For either backpacking or day hike, any recommendation? Since it's solo, I prefer no stream crossing.

Thank you!

[AlmostThere]

"No stream crossing" is a tall order right now... I've been seeing streams where there usually aren't streams. If you can find someplace where there is not a snow-filled basin at 10k above that drainage, you might have a chance.

Here is today's satellite image: https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/?p ... 4561902456

See some of the recent trip reports on this forum... you will find some info there.

[SSSdave]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19609

Closest drive to LV too.

[c9h13no3]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19609

Closest drive to LV too.

Hard to beat that suggestion, but you can tell the author was making some route finding decisions. It's an off trail route, so be ready for that. But in general, the area to the east the Great Western Divide will be less snowy & closest to Vegas.

Also, I find it nuts that you guys consider a 4 day trip a "warm up". >_<

[hiac]

4 day trip is too long or short for a "warm up" ?

thank you for the "Closest drive to LV too" suggestion

thank you for the snow sat image