Re: Favorite East Slope day hikes south of Bishop?
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 11:10 am
You mentioned Shepherd Pass trail but have you done it as a late Spring day trip? My favorite early Spring day hike. As soon as the snow is off the ridge, you should get to at least Mahogany. Trail is dry until about that point for those looking on. High melt run off is what you plan for. Lots of water pour off of the very high vertical ridge on the south. The remnants of a head wall water fall just before the big switch back that skirts it would be roaring. Anvil would be a goal.
From Horseshoe Meadows to Cottonwood Lakes (out of Lone Pine), if you are fit and get an early start, you might have enough time to have a late lunch on OLD Army Pass. It is a bit shorter and 300' lower in elevation than is NEW Army Pass. Although the trail has been abandon, it is the preferred route by many. It is a bit of an adventure to keep track of the trail, but it gets better once you get away from the lake.
http://www.summitpost.org/route-up-old-army-pass/7987" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Kearsarge Peak starts in an abandoned over flow parking lot that is a bit east down the road from the main lot in Onion Valley - well before you get to the first switch back. It has been closed off with large rocks. The 'trail head' is up from that parking lot. You'll eventually find an abandoned miners trace up the chute. Read up on some of the history on Onion Valley and surrounds before you go - especially about Kearsarge Mine. This is another early start day. Great view of K Pass from the top.
Out of Whitney Portal to Meyson Lake and up as far as you might have the energy toward Mt LeConte on the south. Its about a 1000m to the lake from near the Portal. Might check on permit requirements if any for day hiking.
On South Lake road from Parchers Resort is a trail leading up to Green Lake. Just east a bit from Green and looking at a map you will see the obvious line up to Thunder n' Lightning and Cloud Ripper.
In the same general area, from Big Pine Lake Seven, XC to the saddle just north of Jigsaw Pass between Gendarme and Picture Puzzle.
From Horseshoe Meadows to Cottonwood Lakes (out of Lone Pine), if you are fit and get an early start, you might have enough time to have a late lunch on OLD Army Pass. It is a bit shorter and 300' lower in elevation than is NEW Army Pass. Although the trail has been abandon, it is the preferred route by many. It is a bit of an adventure to keep track of the trail, but it gets better once you get away from the lake.
http://www.summitpost.org/route-up-old-army-pass/7987" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Kearsarge Peak starts in an abandoned over flow parking lot that is a bit east down the road from the main lot in Onion Valley - well before you get to the first switch back. It has been closed off with large rocks. The 'trail head' is up from that parking lot. You'll eventually find an abandoned miners trace up the chute. Read up on some of the history on Onion Valley and surrounds before you go - especially about Kearsarge Mine. This is another early start day. Great view of K Pass from the top.
Out of Whitney Portal to Meyson Lake and up as far as you might have the energy toward Mt LeConte on the south. Its about a 1000m to the lake from near the Portal. Might check on permit requirements if any for day hiking.
On South Lake road from Parchers Resort is a trail leading up to Green Lake. Just east a bit from Green and looking at a map you will see the obvious line up to Thunder n' Lightning and Cloud Ripper.
In the same general area, from Big Pine Lake Seven, XC to the saddle just north of Jigsaw Pass between Gendarme and Picture Puzzle.