High Sierra Topix

Looking for a trip for this summer of about a weeks duration and around 50 to 60 miles. Must be on eastern side and not cross into NP. This would obviously be due to the dogs. A loop trip would be preferred. Last year I was going to do Pine Creek, over Italy and back out over Pine Creek pass. My son got sick so that fell through. Still haven't gave up on doing that this summer. It is on the "Bucket List" as I hate leaving something unfinished. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Are you looking for all on-trail, or would some cross-country travel be acceptable (or desirable)?

Given your criteria, you're looking at either Golden Trout, south of Sequoia NP, or John Muir Wilderness between Kings & Yosemite. There are a lot of potential routes in those areas, but you'll have even more loop options if you include off-trail routes.

Tom, CC is very acceptable and actually some would be preferred. We desire, like everyone , to try to have some solitude. Very familiar with the trails out of Bishop. Was just looking for possibly something north of there.

Wandering Daisy's Silver Divide post on the first page would be a good area.

As just mentioned, a trip along the SIlver Divide out of Mammoth or McGee Creek would fit your itenerary. If you wanted to add some CC, you could cross the divide at numerous points (Grinnel, Rohn, Bighorn, etc) into the Mono Creek watershed.

A loop around the Minaret Range would be a fantastic trip and something
different with numerous possibilities of cross country routes, lakes to visit, and
you could add or subtract accordingly as you want.
From Devil's Postpile you would head down towards Summit Meadow and on
to Stairway Meadow and cross over the Granite Stairway. Take the trail up
to seldom visited beautiful Iron Lake from where you would follow the Iron
Creek to the trail and head up towards Hemlock Crossing. Continue north
past beautiful Stevenson Meadow up to Twin Island Lakes. You will go to
the lakes above Twin Island Lakes and cross the divide using Clinch Pass
and hike down to visit Rogers and Davis Lakes. Hook up with the JMT to
Thousand Is Lake, us the pass (Class 1) at the southwestern end to get
to Garnet Lake and visit the pretty meadow just south of the small lake
below the pass. Here you have choices of using the JMT or cross country
routes/passes all the way to Fern Lake from where you take the trail back
to DP. Doyle has some great TR's to this area with a lot of pictures
http://www.doylewdonehoo.com/minaret/minaret001.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; , you will
also find previous TR's here on HST to these area's. Some folks here may be
able to chime in on doing the Ediza to Minaret Lakes cross country route
previously with a dog.

The Silver Divide area has several good options, and I'll also second Maverick's Ritter Range suggestion (the North Fork side, from Hemlock Crossing up to Twin Island Lake, is spectacular and much less crowded than the east side).

"Some folks here may be able to chime in on doing the Ediza to Minaret Lakes cross country route
previously with a dog."

I scouted out the hill between iceberg and cecile in September with my dog. I want to do that loop with my wife (and dog), but I was worried that section wouldn't be dog friendly.

Turns out my dog was fine. We hiked up it and back down it, but without our heavy packs on. It wasn't too bad.

Mav, that trip has a lot of appeal. Will be checking that one out.

Hi Bill,

Clinch Pass is doable with a dog according to CGunderson: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7066&p=49657&hilit= ... ass#p49657" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;