July Backpack recomendations; Kibbie lake area?

[adam]

My parents recently asked me for advice in planning a july (mid july, I think) backpack trip with the following cavaets: It will be with one person who's never backpacked before (but likes camping and is in shape) and likes campfires. So I guess not too high for fires, not super difficult. They want to go out for 5 days. I was thinking perhaps something in the Kibbie Lake/Boundary Lake area, but I've never been there-- I wanted to go last fall, but missed the road closure deadline. They did a loop around ostrander lake area last year, and I don't think want to repeat that. They could go anywhere in the sierra, but I think would prefer somewhere more north or central because they'll be coming from the bay area.

any inspired (or otherwise) suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

thanks!

[balzaccom]

Fishing? Because that whole Bartlett Creek drainage is barren...

I like Kibbie Ridge, but I would very definitely put other places ahead of it---mainly because there is so much rock, it feels pretty harsh at time. You can see photos on our website.

Why not something in the Emigrant Wilderness? You could start at Crabtree, the work through Deer Lake, Bucks Lake, Woods Lake...maybe a little XC over to Karls Lake etc...then back out...

Lovely scenery, nice fishing, and the elevation is all under 8500 feet...

[hwy395lvrz]

I second the Emigrant Wilderness.I prefer though to enter at Gianelli Cabin,as the view from Burst Rock is worth the initial climb.Not alot of climbing involved after the first few miles.Wire Lakes.Long Lake,Upper and Lower Buck,all good fishing.Deer Lake is a great swimming spot.Ideally,you should leave a car at Crabtree and exit there,the end of the loop is all downhill from Gem Lake.Never seen a bear there either!

[balzaccom]

I ag ree with your suggestions...but want to point out that from Gem Lake, there is still one more descent down into a canyon, and then a steep climb back out to Camp Lake...

Lots of really nice places to visit in that area!

[adam]

thanks a ton! I figured Emmigrant might be good, but save for some long-ago summer camp trips, I don't really know the area so well. I appreciate the suggestions!

[rlown]

I ag ree with your suggestions...but want to point out that from Gem Lake, there is still one more descent down into a canyon, and then a steep climb back out to Camp Lake...

Lots of really nice places to visit in that area!

I think you also have a rather large stream crossing at either Piute or Cherry creek, on the way out of Gem. I remember i had to hike up stream about 1/2 a mile to find a place that was still thigh deep.

[Cross Country]

One might want to go to Laurel Lake and then to Jack Main Canyon, maybe Vernon Lake too. Be warned that the hike out of Hetch Hetchy is hot and you should start very early. These also are good places to fish.

This pic is taken from the upper end of Laurel lake.

[Wandering Daisy]

Most of the above suggestions are at fairly low elevations. I think July is not the time of year to go this low. It is really going to be hot. How about a loop from Silver Lake (east side of Sierra over Tioga Pass) - to the north part of the Minerets? Or out of Devils Postpile. The Minerets are beautiful and trails are pretty well maintained and easy to follow.

[adam]

I agree-- if it were me, the minarets would be ideal, but if they want lower elevations and campfires so be it, I guess. I wonder what this year will be like with snow and mosquitoes in July. If snowstorms keep coming in, July might be like a more typical june.

[EastSideClimb]

2 Feet of snowforecasted Tues and Wed in the Sierra above 6000 ft. Im kinda skeptical that Northern Ansel Adams will be tolerable (snow patches, mosquitos) in July. I second that emotion about July being like June yet I feel like July might even be like May this year. I go religiously to the Bridgeport area every fathers day and do my rudimentary snow pack monitoring at the time, and even Virginia Lks TH area had large snow patches and a real snow slog up on the pass above Frog/Cooney. I can only imagine what it will be like this year, virtually impassable I assume.

Brightside Alert: Season will be lush and long into September and early Oct. when most people have Football on their minds every weekend, thus trails will be empty and lakes will be full for fish extraction.....wooohooo.