High Sierra Topix

Review of LLV

"If you look forward to a bit of solitude on your hikes, this is NOT for you. Amusement park crowds may be OK for families but this place is packed - especially on weekends. Otherwise an easy and picturesque hike."



I am going to be 100% honest and state that I had interest in having my first nature filled skinny dipping experience at one of these lakes..... don't know if its frowned upon on this site but I have searched it and read other peoples experiences of them doing it in the Sierra

Any place as pretty as this, with very easy to access, and trails, will see a lot
of people, especially during the holiday weekend. If you try to go to the far end
of a lake, that is a little further back from the trail, Hidden, Treasure, and Gem
Lakes, the crowds will drop dramatically. Most hikers/backpackers look for
something close and conveniently located near the trail, a sense of security.
You can be at a lake a 1/4 mile off the JMT, that has no trail to it, and you can
have all the solitude you want, because most folks will stay at popular backcountry
sites along the trail.

so what youre saying is, it still might be possible for me to "naturally" enjoy the water
if I find the right spot?

umm. skinny dip all you want. No one cares. we had 5 guys skinny dip at Lillian a couple years ago. Doesn't matter the lake.

If you're shy, pick a harder lake.

My wife and I did the whole skinny thing at Spaulding Lk off I-80 on a fishing trip. A back cove, and when other vessels came into the cove, we just covered up, a bit. They turned around.

Some of us went into Pear Lake yesterday. Most popular lake in Sequioa NP, with pit toilets and designated campsites to reduce the impact of the hordes of boy scouts and other backpackers.

You're backpacking. Let 'em look the other way.

Awesome.

Ok so since plan A is hiking LLV to Chicken foot lake and possibly just go past (it if its too crowded)
to Gem Lakes or maybe Morgan Lakes...but I see another lake on the maps called "Bear Lake"
anyone have any experience hiking out of Chicken foot lake? All the TRs I find stop at Chicken Foot lake or go up to Morgan pass but thats about it.

Also plan B is hiking to Second Lake / Big Pine Lakes.

and plan C is leaving that area and heading a little north to Thousand Island Lake.

Any input/opinions/suggestions?

Maybe throw in Chain lakes as plan D? haha
So far though Im really just hoping there is a permit available for us on Friday for LLV because
it seems ideal for us, not too long of a hike, not too much elevation gain, beautiful area, possible to
get away from crowded areas.

any opinions?

also, what would be my best plan in regards to sleeping in the area over night
when I arrive thursday? sleeping in the car, quick campsite set up, motel in bishop?

I called the station and they said for LLV the closest station is White Mountain Ranger Station Visitor Center in Bishop.

If you are driving up late on Thursday from LA trying to get a permit for Friday, here is my go to method:

Drive up the 14 to the 395, get dinner along the way, do dispersed camping in the alabama hills west of Lone Pine.

Get up and get to the permit office in Lone Pine by 8AM. Hope you get a permit. If you don't get one but there are people who haven't collected their yet, then you can:

Drive to Bishop. Go to the permit office there and try to get a cancellation at 10AM. If you can't, you have two options. You can either:

a: get a walk in permit for any other awesome trail around there. There are plenty.
b: wait til 11am and get a walk in permit for the following day, and then go do a dayhike and acclimate a bit before you backpacking trip.

AWESOME! Right in the area too! Do I need a permit or anything to camp there?
I believe I will be getting there around 10-11pm will that be a problem? Besides the darkness? haha

I read on yelp you can just drive around til you find a spot you like?