looking for route suggestions

[Quandary]

I'll be in Owens Valley in late September and I'm looking for suggestions for a 3-4 day backpack. (Not Mt. Whitney - I'll be doing that on the last day of my trip. I have a few ideas, but maybe someone has better suggestions. I especially like to be up high!

--Brainerd Lake out of Big Pine?
--Rae Lakes route?
--Meysan Lake area?

Thanks!
Phil

[giantbrookie]

Whether or not I have better or equal destination suggestions depends on what your priorities include, such as peak bagging, scenery/photography, fishing, solitude, or going to places you haven't been to before, as well as how much hiking you're comfortable in a day. Bear in mind that in late September the days are rather short, so you have a little less time to play with. If I was on the east side in late September and was headed in for a 3-4 trip I probably wouldn't opt for any of those options, but that's because my priority nowadays is fishing (with off trail adventure and solitude a close second). Nearly 30 years ago, things were different, and Meysan Lake was a target because it was it good peak bagging base and peak bagging was my number one priority then (did a great 2 day trip there that would make a great 3 or 4 day peak bagging fest at a somewhat saner pace).

[cgundersen]

As Giantbrookie pointed out, your preferences will dictate choices, but as he will probably second, the loop going in via Piute Pass, over Alpine col into Darwin Canyon and back over Lamarck col gives you a lot of high, plus off trail, plus opportunities for peak bagging and fishing. If you prefer to keep it mostly on trail, this loop can still work, but you need to drop way down Piute canyon and around to Evolution Valley and then back over Lamarck col. I think it would still work with four fairly long days. Somewhat easier (and it'll keep you close to Whitney) is to do Cottonwood Pass and head north to the area that includes Sky Blue Lake and hop the ridge to the north (fairly easy) into Crabtree Lakes basin and then come back out either via New Army pass or Cottonwood. If you're looking to bag peaks, don't bother with the Crabtree portion. If you want tons of vertical, head up the Shepherd's Pass trail, but loop over Junction Pass into Center Basin, from which you can come back via Forrester Pass and out Shepherd's again!
CG

[maverick]

All your trips are trailed routes, do you feel comfy with x-country
routes/passes?
You mentioned that you will be climbing Whitney at the end of you
stay, are you in good backpacking condition?
By doing an excessively bold trip before Whitney you may ruin your
attempt to summit especially if your new at backpacking.
Alpine-Lamarck Col route as previouly mentioned should be undertaken
by an experienced backpacker who is in excellent condition and who
has acclimated, unless your one of those few who isnt bothered
be elevation much.
Also as mentioned your days will be shorter and nights cooler, so
when putting you route togheter keep your daily mileage in mind,
though the trips you mentioned you shouldnt have a problem with
this.
Brainerd Lake area is nice but I would take the North Fork to
Second Lake with a great view of Temple Crag.
You can climb up to Palisade Glacier for a day hike and look up at
several 14000 ft peaks behind it.
This trip would be mellow and wont sap all your strength that youll
need for Whitney IMO.

[Quandary]

Thanks to all for the suggestions! As always, this site is very helpful. I'll consider all these options.