sugestions for a 4 day backpacking trip ,east sierras

If you've been searching for the best source of information and stimulating discussion related to Spring/Summer/Fall backpacking, hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada...look no further!
Post Reply
User avatar
jashley
Topix Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 12:24 pm
Experience: N/A

sugestions for a 4 day backpacking trip ,east sierras

Post by jashley »

I am looking for suggestions for a 4 day backpacking trip in to a lake or area from the east side of the sierras, for four people, two are experience back packers and the other two are not but in good physical shape..I did some back packing out of Lee Vining 30 yrs ago ,but can't remember the names of the trails or the trail heads.....thanks Jennisse
I may also be doing a longer trip, 7-10 days, with my son (who is an experienced backpacker) if anyone has any suggestions for that.
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: sugestions for a 4 day backpacking trip ,east sierras

Post by maverick »

Hi Jashley,

Welcome to HST!
Please read: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4205" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Also, when were you planning to do the trip?
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
jashley
Topix Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 12:24 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: sugestions for a 4 day backpacking trip ,east sierras

Post by jashley »

the 4 day trip has backpackers from level 2 to level 3
the terrain 2 to 3 -rivers ( none of them have done any snow hiking other than skiing and boarding)
WE are interested in seeing Lakes, meadows , big mountain senory, and maybe some fishing

the 4 and 7-10 day trip a loop would be nice but not necescary
eastern sierras
the more solitude the better , I think everyone wants that
thanks Jennisse
jashley
User avatar
jashley
Topix Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 12:24 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: sugestions for a 4 day backpacking trip ,east sierras

Post by jashley »

I forgot the dates

the 4 day trip would have to be June 24-28th

the 7-10 trip any time between the middle of June to the middle of Aug
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: sugestions for a 4 day backpacking trip ,east sierras

Post by maverick »

For the 4 day trip, would go to the Minarets out of Mammoth: Shadow
Creek to Lake Ediza, Garnet Lake, 1000 Is Lake, back via High Trail.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6971&p=48822&hilit= ... ake#p48822" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This trip depends on if the trails are cleared up from the wind storm damage.


For the 7-10 day trip the North Lake to South Lake Semi-Loop, you''ll have to
hitch a ride back to the car.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XArHk_AUZ0E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5811&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6758&hilit=shadow+lake" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
balzaccom
Topix Addict
Posts: 2952
Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:22 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: sugestions for a 4 day backpacking trip ,east sierras

Post by balzaccom »

You could look at Twin Lakes to Benson Lake and Matterhorn Canyon---that's fifty miles and we did it in six or seven days. Lovely area.

There are photos and a trip log on our site.

And for a shorter trip, we also loved the area out of Leavitt Meadows to Cinko Lake etc.
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-R ... 0984884963
User avatar
SSSdave
Topix Addict
Posts: 3523
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:18 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Silicon Valley
Contact:

Re: sugestions for a 4 day backpacking trip ,east sierras

Post by SSSdave »

First day Green Creek to East Lake, second day to Summit Lake, third day Gilman Lake, and back.

http://www.rei.com/guidepost/detail/cal ... trail/7999" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=38.06492,-119.30440&z=15&t=T" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
pianoman
Topix Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 2:52 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: sugestions for a 4 day backpacking trip ,east sierras

Post by pianoman »

The Minarets trip already suggested really can't be beat -- magnificent country. Go via Shadow Lake with a side trip to Ediza Lake, then to Garnet and 1000-Island, or you can go from Mammoth all the way through to Tuolumne and get a ride back on the bus.

Another great one is Kearsarge Pass to Rae Lakes and back. Four days is possible if you're in very good shape, or you can break up the ascent by staying at Flower Lake the first night. You could also shorten the trip by doing Rae Lakes as a long day hike. A stop at Kearsarge Lakes is also really worthwhile, especially when there's still snow on the Kearsarge Pinnacles behind the lake.

Finally, you'll have a little more solitude with equally magnificent country by doing the Cottonwood Lakes loop (in through New Army Pass and out Cottonwood Pass). There are wonderful day-hiking possibilities during a layover (Sky Blue lake is magnificent). The trailhead is just south of Lone Pine.
User avatar
SPeacock
Topix Regular
Posts: 122
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2007 5:50 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Pasadena area, CA

Re: sugestions for a 4 day backpacking trip ,east sierras

Post by SPeacock »

Some ideas for stitching something together you might like.

This is a strenuous trip because of the altitude gains. It is one of the few loop trips with out a shuttle on the eastern Sierra, however. Can be done clockwise or CCW. For scenery I prefer CW. For less uphill do it CCW. Can leave car at Onion Valley or at trail head on Symmes Creek for Shepherd Pass. To retrieve your car, get a ride down the mountain to the road to Symmes Creek and a 2 mile walk to car ( if going the other way, walk to road and hitch up hill to Onion Valley).

NOTE: The first leg CW can be a spectacular day hike early in season. Trail is dry until 4 miles in crossing the tributary to Shepherds Creek just below Mahogany Flats. There is a long switch back that takes you around the lower headwall up to Anvil Camp for a late lunch. In early spring melt water causes water falls from the high ridges on your left going up hill.

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=36.71102,-118.28971&z=14&t=T" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Counter Clock-wise trip is Onion Valley over Kearsarge Pass to Vidette Meadows (or stay at Kearsarge Lakes first night).

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=36.76041,-118.36653&z=14&t=T" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Move up Bubbs Creek in V Meadows until the highest bear box near Center Basin. Center Basin is a good side trip for remainder of day. Forester Pass at 13,200' is best to start fresh and early in morning. Going up be sure to stop to look back - while gaining on your respiration.

Tyndall Creek crossing has bear boxes and level camping. It can be jumping off places for exploration up toward S. America Lake and Harrison Pass over look. Spectacular photo op looking at most of Kern Basin from the west.

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=36.68377,-118.39356&z=14&t=T" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

From Tyndall Creek you can take one day to exit over Shepherd Pass down to your car... or if you have energy to spare do more sight seeing in the Wallace Lakes area. The near by (and seldom visited) Tulainyo Lake is the highest lake (of lakes with more than one-tenth square mile of water) in the Continental U.S.

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=36.59982,-118.32035&z=14&t=T" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For a longer hike in same general area:
Lone Pine: Cottonwood Lake; Old Army Pass (Mt Langley?) to Rock Creek near Ranger Station; Crab Tree Meadows, if you can get a west entry to Mt Whitney, otherwise Sandy Meadows; Tyndall Creek (Mt. Tyndall anyone?); Middle Vidette Meadows; over Kearsarge Pass to car by 2PM

Or continue over Glen Pass on up toward Baxter, Sawmill, Taboose Pass (you need a car north anyway)

mapper.acme.com/?ll=36.86163,-118.37030&z=13&t=T

You could go as far as Bishop Pass (out of South Lake, Bishop CA), but you'd need more food unless you start at Kearsarge Pass.

Humphreys Basin over Piute Pass (North Lake - Bishop) and the entire drainage could keep you busy for many,many days.

mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.23771,-118.72564&z=13&t=T
etc.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot], crocodile235, freestone and 135 guests