High Sierra Topix

Hi all

Me and a few friends will be camping on memorial day weekend but being that it's the big holiday there are almost no spots that can be reserved as far as I can see. I was wondering if anyone knows of good walk-in sites in the Sierras with water (such as rivers or lakes) and great hiking. I was thinking of the lakes and the reservoirs such as Courtright, Wishon, Florence, Thomas Edison and etc that has an alpine feel and nearby peaks that can be scrambled. know it's a big risk going in without a reservation but we've done it before in Mineral King on Labor day weekend. Since MK is oftentimes outside of people's radar it wasnt even packed that weekend. I'm sure there must be other campsites in the Sierras that have little foot traffic with gorgeous scenery and little crowds. I'd go to MK again but the snow being so high this year it prob won't even be open this year.

I doubt this year any of those lakes you mentioned will be open by Memorial Day. I was not clear on what kind of "camping" you were planning to do. Car camping with day hikes? Or a short backpack?
Kings Canyon has lots of campgrounds, - Cedar Grove or Lodgepole area. I bet you could find a campground there if you were willing to drive around a bit. I have gone there Memorial Day before without a reservation.

Here is the listing for all the campground in the area your asking about.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/recreati ... amps.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Just click on the name of the campground to get directions/map locations.

Yeah, just camping

I'm hoping the west side of the Sierras may open by Memorial Day weekend

South Fk. of the Kern or Death Valley. Look for somewhere low. Its going to keep snowing.