High Sierra Topix

Has anyone been there? Was it worth the effort? Planned on doing a loop out of VVR to fish creek and returning via jmt.not sure if I want to hike along edison now that the ferry is shut down. Should I use a different trailhead? Any feedback would help.Thanks

I did the duck pass to Reds meadow semi loop last year. I would say it is worth the extra effort. There are a number of pools on the side of a granite wall. The higher you go the hotter it gets. The pools are relatively clear and clean since the bottom is granite. It gets some use but there were only one other group when I was there (but it was a Thurs). The Pools are pretty separated, so you just grab a pool and you are pretty much by yourself. I can send you some pics if you PM me. From Reds Meadow, I parked at the reds meadow shuttle parking area and took a taxi to lake Mary. Hiked over duck pass to Purple lake and basically around Mammoth Mountain (it's strange to have cell service in the back country). I thought it was a great hike, and the Iva Bell H.S. are probably the nicest I've been to. It didn't seem to get a lot of use since it's about 12 miles from reds meadow. You can make the trip shorter or longer by hitting Virginia Lake and Tully Hole, or just dropping into fish Creek from Purple lake.

Iva Bell Hotsprings I consider to be the best of the 3 backcountry hotspring sites there are. They are certainly worth going to but you never know when you might have allot of people there. Last year in September there were 30 people there for one night.

Yes the Iva Bell hot springs are great. We did the Duck Pass to Reds Meadow loop in 2010 (and met Rogue there!). That is the "standard" route. Here's the trip report: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5344" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Note that at this time of year with the Reds Meadow shuttle stopped, it is rather more complicated to close the loop and you would either need to use two cars, hitch out from Devils Postpile or hike back over Mammoth Pass.

I didn't know you met me there. My 71 day 2010 trip was never posted on this site. Hopefully you werent the two who walked up on me nude in the pool lol.

RoguePhotonic wrote:I didn't know you met me there.

I was with my 9 yr old twins. I think I mentioned that before.

Ok now I remember you. I met you on the day I got there. I spent another there alone until the evening when one party showed up.