I got such great advice from maverick and others on here about my upcoming trip that I figured I'd ask another question.
We currently have planned a 2 night trip in the Mammoth Lakes area (Agnew - Thousand Island - Ediza - Reds) and decided since it's such a pain to get to the east side that we'd like to add another trip while we're there. This is where you wonderful people come in.
Q: What's the "best" bang-for-your-buck ~2 night trip on the eastern Sierra?
Details:
-We are a party of two, one experienced level 3 [me] and one backpacking newbie but experienced day-hiker who will get his spurs on the aforementioned hike days prior.
-Class 2 for off-trail is best for this trip.
-I love alpine lakes with dramatic granite and being on top of peaks for views for miles.
-We can comfortably do 10 mile days but would be willing to push it for 15 or so if it's worth it.
More specific details:
-I would prefer not to hike out of Onion Valley because I've done that so many times before.
-We don't want to add more days to our 2-nighter out of Agnew mainly because that will be my partner's first backpacking trip and two nights seems about right. I'd like for him to get a day of rest before we head out again. Thus we'd like a "fresh" 2-nighter somewhere else!
-Permit day will be the last Tuesday in July and we'll be lounging layover style on the 395 somewhere on Monday, so we should be able to get walk-in permits for pretty much anywhere.
-Bonus points if campsites are at lakes that have accessible ridges (Class 3) near them so I can explore (I wonder what I can see from up over there??!!) while he rests.
I searched the boards a bit and some people here suggested on previous threads hikes out of Lake Sabrina. That looks promising, but potentially crowded? We'd prefer less people if possible (especially since our first trip will likely be quite populated).
Thanks in advance!
