High Sierra Topix

Hi there looking for suggestions on a backpacking trip
I'm a level 4 hiker, having done several cross country routes before. I'm taking three hikers with me all who are pretty good hikers but they never did cross country before

We would like to do a loop trip on the eastern side preferably, though I don't mind the west side.

We would like at least one or two passes

And maybe 30-40 miles total

I've given thought so far to

1.) Agnew meadows -1000 island lake and back via iceberg and minaret lake

2.) Cottonwood lakes - Rock Creek - Miter Basin - Crabtree Pass - return via PCHto Cottonwood Lakes

3.) Kearsarge Pass - Forester Pass - Kern Basin - Lucy's Foot Pass - Lake Reflection - back to Kearsage (Yes this one is the most daring and crazy)

Other suggestions are welcome including anything in the Mono Basin area or Yosemite. Thanks all

Are you fishing too, or just backpacking?

Just bakpaking

mileages = rather aggressively long
cross country terrain = advanced

maybe too aggressive unless they are quite athletic and balanced

1) Iceberg snow may be difficult and dangerous this year till end of summer.
3) ditto the steep scree and certain firm snows of very north facing Lucy's foot pass

Would suggest something less dangerous but still a lot of hiking mileage per your orientation and good dose of offtrail like :

NF Bishop Cr over Piute Pass to Packsaddle Lake (camp),
down to Hutchinson Meadow up to French Canyon lakes like Moon Lake (camp),
across Puppet Pass and up to Humphreys Lake (camp),
hike out.

SSSdave wrote:NF Bishop Cr over Piute Pass to Packsaddle Lake (camp),
down to Hutchinson Meadow up to French Canyon lakes like Moon Lake (camp),
across Puppet Pass and up to Humphreys Lake (camp),
hike out.

Loop or thru-hike? A mini thru-hike like the one above opens up all sorts of possibilities. Other 3-4 day favorites are Tuolumne to Mammoth, Kearsarge to Shepherd, and Horseshoe to Whitney

You could lolipop Piute, but it would be a lot of walking to French & back. Onion valley is a real popular lolipop route - north or south (Rae vs Bubbs or both if ambitious). My go-to route, one that I do constantly, since it's so close to LA (3.5 hrs to the night drop in LP) and has Goldens, is your #2 ie good 'ole Horseshoe.

There are 3 primary passes to choose from, and it's easy to create different loop variations. If you're into walking & not fishing, then the return via PCT/Guyot is ok. If you're into climbing, you might consider just returning from whence you came (Crab and/or Miter) and check out the various peaks, including Langley, the southernmost 14k.

Thnx for the suggestions so far

I have thought about the Humphreys Basin to Puppet Pass back via French Canyon but that seems more of a 3 Day 2 night trip. We are all strong hikers by the way. But definitely not ruling it out

Also thinking of the Mineral King to Glacier Pass - Spring Lake - Blackrock Pass - Little an. Has anyone done that ind Big five lakes return via Sawtooth Pass option but that might be another of those 5 day trips (Heck, might be as crazy as option 3). Has anybody done it in 4 days before?

Hi Trailguru, Many years have passed since you initially posted.
I found your post because I have the same question.
Wondering what similar loops you've discovered in the meantime!

for what it's worth, I've done this one:
>1.) Agnew meadows -1000 island lake and back via iceberg and minaret lake

It's a fantastic route:
Day 1 in at Agnew Meadows, past Badger and Thousand Island Lakes to camp at Ruby Lake
Day 2 past Garnet Lake and cross-country through the amazing sequence of Ediza>Iceberg>Cecile>Minaret Lakes
Day 3 out to Devil's Postpile

Another is
Day 1 in at Lambert Dome, past Glen Aulin to camp at middle McCabe lake.
Day 2 cross-country to Roosevelt Lake to Young Lakes.
Day 3 out at Lambert Dome.

I'm looking for more loops in the same vein.
Any suggestions?