High Sierra Topix

I'm planning a BP trip out of HH next month and was wondering has anyone gone up/down the Tiltill Creek Canyon from Tiltill Valley to Branigan Lakes? If so, is that route doable??

Any response is greatly appreciated.

Yes, I have been up that route, but I prefer the route going from the far
eastern side of the Lake Vernon Basin, and following up the cascade
to Branigan Lake.
Then following the lakes southern shore to the smaller lakes south, which
to me were the highlights of that area, and then descending the class 2 slopes
back down to the Vernon Basin.

Having been to the area many times and visited the Branigan Lakes, I have studied the routes to up there looking for a better one, and I think the easiest way may be to take the trail south out of Vernon Lake and once you are on the ridge, cut over to the lakes. Last year I was there and took a look at this route and it looked very doable from the trail. The largest lake is very nice, with camping available. Take a look and an old picture:

Doyle & Maverick,

Thanks for your replies.

Mav, how bad was the bushwacking heading up Tiltill Creek Canyon? That is my big concern. The route on the map looks promising but one never knows about the bushwack. I once went down Kendrick from Edith to Eleanor and boy was that ever a chore.

Doyle, having not been BPing out of HH, I'm looking at the map, it looks like your route is very doable.

I have 6 days planned and thinking of going up to Branigan, then to Wilma, over to Bearup, last night at Laurel, then back to the car.

Again, thanks for the replies.

Did not use Tiltill Creek canyon, and looking at the map it does look fine.
If the bush is bad than climb higher on ridge and it should be better up there, I
seriously doubt it being like the Kendrick Canyon area, not many place are
bush wise!
Ardeth, Miwok, and Bearup are all pretty lakes though the last time I was
there all were frozen except for Bearup.
Wilma Lake? Did you mean Wilmer Lake?

maverick wrote:Did not use Tiltill Creek canyon, and looking at the map it does look fine.
If the bush is bad than climb higher on ridge and it should be better up there, I
seriously doubt it being like the Kendrick Canyon area, not many place are
bush wise!
Ardeth, Miwok, and Bearup are all pretty lakes though the last time I was
there all were frozen except for Bearup.
Wilma Lake? Did you mean Wilmer Lake?

I'm using Topo, 2003 edition, v3.3.3 and it has "Wilma" not Wilmer" I think old maps have it spelled Wilmer, similar to the Edyth vs Edith.

cmon4day wrote:I have 6 days planned and thinking of going up to Branigan, then to Wilma, over to Bearup, last night at Laurel, then back to the car.

After thinking about it some more, I think I'll do the trip in reverse. That way, If Tiltill is a bit brushy, at least we'll be going down