High Sierra Topix

I'm eyeing a short (1 or 2 night) trip to Granite Dome, fires permitting. The idea is to set up camp near a lake and reach the dome with a day hike, since I know it will require some route-finding.

I'm finding the idea of starting from either Gianelli or Coyote Meadows TH due to higher elevation (8500 compared to 6300 at Kennedy Meadows).
Any insight on which of those TH to choose? Main considerations would be water availability and prettiness of the trail. We hiked from Gianelli to Chewing Gum Lake a few years ago, but we've never been to Coyote Meadows.
Since the two trails merge, reaching Granite Dome from either would be equivalent.

Please note that the Stanislaus National Forest (including the Emigrant Wilderness) is completely closed to all visitors as of 5 pm today, Monday, Sept 7, due to extreme fire danger. See:
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=20984

-Phil

BardoPond wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 1:01 pm I'm eyeing a short (1 or 2 night) trip to Granite Dome, fires permitting.

Yeah, spoiler alert: the fires ain't gonna permit for a while.

It's an interesting idea, coming at it from Gianelli. It's shorter, and puts you in better position to hit the easiest route up the SW side of Granite Dome. However, I thought the lakes on the NW side of the dome were half the appeal. And I didn't think the peak took much route finding. I was looking for class 3 rock to climb, and there wasn't much. So yeah, the route is easier, but less scenic.

I'd aim for something really late season (a week or two after the first snow of the fall has melted off), or spring of next year. It can be a dusty horse & cow pasture in August & September.

We've hiked into that area from Kennedy Meadowes, and at C9h says, the really nice parts are the lakes below the dome. We've also hiked out of Gianelli a few times...not sure it is shorter, but yet, less total elevation gain--although you do go up and down a few ridges to get there.

Got it, I'll consider the standard route from Kennedy Meadows then. I suppose one could also start from Gianelli and still visit those lakes.

Too bad about the closure. Let's see how the situation develops, but looks like we'll have to wait a while.

Gianelli is a great place to start. We like camping at the upper Pinto Lake...in the saddle there. It's a quick and easy summit to Granite Dome from the Pinot Lakes side. Keep in mind that you're cross country from the trail up to Pinto.

The approach from Gianelli is not shorter than the approach from KM, though I wonder if it's less crowded. I've done both. I think the routefinding and very easy scrambling up to Granite Dome from Summit Creek is more interesting than from Salt Lick Meadow. Plus the lakes north of Granite Dome are spectacular, I wouldn't want to miss them if I'm bothering to bag Granite.