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Were should i go?

Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:32 pm
by noahck
Im heading out to the high sierra for the first time this august. Looking for suggestions about good places for a 4 night / 5 day trip. I was thinking i would have to start in inyo if i was going to get a permit this late.

How is the evolution basin area? Palisades? Also looking for an easy class 2 peak to try. Open to any suggestions for a good first taste.

Thanks!

Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:12 pm
by rightstar76
Hello noahck. This is a really scenic trip. The roundtrip distance is about 28 miles. The only challenge will be getting a permit from Inyo NF as Onion Valley is a popular trailhead. There are two mountains in the area that have class 2 routes, Mt Rixford (12,890') and Mt. Cotter (12713'). I've never climbed them but I've heard the south facing slopes are class 2. Maybe other people here have climbed them and can provide more information. Enjoy.

Rightstar

Onion Valley to Rae Lakes and Sixty Lake Basin
5 Days/4 Nights

Day 1: Onion Valley to Kearsarge Lakes via Kearsarge Pass
Day 2: Kearsarge Lakes to Rae Lakes via Bullfrog Lake and Glen Pass
Day 3: Rae Lakes to Sixty Lake Basin (go as far as you like and choose any lake to camp)
Day 4: Sixty Lake Basin to Charlotte Lake via Rae Lakes and Glen Pass
Day 5: Charlotte Lake to Onion Valley via Kearsarge Pass (Bypassing
Bullfrog and Kearsarge Lakes)

Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 8:37 pm
by Snow Nymph
Mt Bago is a easy peak from Charlotte Lake, and Mt Gould is a short hike from Kearsarge Pass.


Mt Bago Photos: http://community.webshots.com/album/42318180tWybGj/2

Mt Gould Photos: http://community.webshots.com/album/89295016AnWfcj

Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:23 pm
by markskor
First timer?
Absolutely head for Yosemite...
Hang out a day in Tuolumne...backpacker campground...$5/nite...soak it up.
Get a "next day" permit...(40% are...available) to Vogelsang - might take you an extra day to get one but...Oh well.
Either via Lyell Creek or Rafferty Creek…whatever is open.
Do a loop… start Tuolumne...Ireland...x-country… Townsley (cross ridge at the X). see http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=11&n= ... atum=nad83.
…Hanging Basket …Fletcher…Vogelsang…bag the peak…Boothe and down.
I could easily spend 5 days here – maybe 25 miles total.

Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 5:37 pm
by giantbrookie
Somewhat shorter (in terms of amount of ground covered), but spectacular trips can be had in the Bishop Creek area. For example you can go out of South Lake and explore the many lakes above there, including spilling over Bishop Pass into Dusy Basin. For peaks you can do the imposing Mt. Agassiz (class 2) that has an absolutely stunning view of the Palisades (as well the heart of the Kings Canyon high country) from the top. Opposite Bishop Pass is Mt. Goode that looks tremendous from Long Lake on the way up but has some very easy flanks that offer class 1 to 2 ascent routes. Some very good fishing can be had in the lakes in this area, too. With 5 days you can also hike into the Treasure Lakes (note that last I heard they were going to exterminate the fish out of the upper lakes, but the lower ones will still have goldens) from which place you can bag Mt. Johnson (a steepish class 2 climb with nice view). Mt. Gilbert is also rated as class 2, but the steep couloir generally demands at minimum an ice axe and the angle may be a bit scary for some. Although the hiking is nice out of Bishop Creek's Lake Sabrina trailhead, the peak bagging options aren't quite as good if you wish to keep things to class 2. There are several class 2 rated peaks, but only Mt. Wallace has a very straightforward route; the others are either class 3 plus or class 2 that can easily blow up to harder. North Lake offers some nice options for a 5 day trip including going into Humphreys Basin and French Canyon. The best class 2 target peaks are Four Gables and Pilot Knob. The latter has a tiny bit of very low 3rd class knife edge near the top if one insists on staying on the ridge. If you absolutely need to keep it 2nd class you can drop off the top of the ridge a bit to the south side before finishing, otherwise it is more fun and convenient to stay on the crest of the ridge. There are some very good fishing possibilities in this area, too.