High Sierra Topix

Hi all,

Sometime I would like to do the hike from the TH near the top of Laurel Lakes Road to Lake Genevieve. But my vehicle is a Toyota Corolla, so I would not be driving, and I would not be hiking the entire length of the road from Sherwin Creek Road either. So the only thing that occurred to me was trying to catch a ride with somebody in their 4x4 at the beginning of the road (using the strategy somebody on HST described as "waving a $20 bill in one hand and your thumb in the other").

Obviously the more 4x4's going up to Laurel Lakes on the day I attempted this, the better my chances of snagging a ride. But I have no idea how much traffic goes to that destination, so hopefully some of you who do can shed some light on how feasible it might be to attempt this. An encouraging opinion might be something like "on summer weekends/holidays thru Labor Day, you stand a reasonably good chance." A discouraging opinion might be something like "on September weekdays after Labor Day, you could very well stand there all day without even a single 4x4 passing you, never mind stopping to give you a lift." And obviously your opinions could fall somewhere between these 2 extremes.

Again, any light anybody might be able to shed on this idea will be most appreciated. Thanx!

Regards,
steve

Steve,
on summer weekends/holidays thru Labor Day, you stand a reasonably good chance w/b my opinion. It is used a lot by day trippers. I can't say the numbers/day but is a popular spot. As a 4wheeler I would just take the thumb out and not the $20 bill. If I'm going that way, probably have room and you have similar interests; hop on. I bet Markskor or Rock Chuckker have more input as being "locals"?

Looking out my front door, indeed Laurel Mountain beckons.
Having driven that road once last summer...well, you're right, your Toyota wouldn't make it as my Jeep barely held on to that single-lane obstacle course/roller coaster. Bottom line - not much traffic.

IMHO, you could hold a hundred dollar bill out...and after a few hours, still have your Benjamin.
While anything could happen, would not feel comfortable trying to hitch up there.

Laurel lakes road sees traffic very seldom. I bet you could wait a week or more for a ride. Rent a jeep! It is a nasty road that couldn't handle more than a truck or two. Very narrow steep switchbacks that would suck to meet someone going the other way.

Many thanks to Rockchucker, markshor, and austex! Better to find out my idea wasn't feasible up front instead of after the fact.

sorry, make that markskor, not markshor.

Rockchucker, your advice is to rent a jeep. Anytime I've ever looked into that, I've been told the rental company's policy is that their vehicles, even high-clearance 4x4's, are NOT allowed off-road, which they define as ANY unpaved road, and if I return a vehicle with scratches in the paint from brush, damage to the underside from bottoming out, etc., I will be financially responsible.

Do you, or anybody else on HST, know of anybody to rent this kind of vehicle from in the Eastern Sierra without the restriction about staying on pavement?

Thanx!
steve

Here is a TR to that area which does mention the road being somewhat busy
during the weekends: http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/laurel.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Steve, I've never rented a car before so I'm really no help sorry. Maybe someone from a local jeep club could arrange a ride.