Hiking Trip Insight.

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dugout83
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Hiking Trip Insight.

Post by dugout83 »

I am currently looking for some good camping/hiking spots in either kings Canyon or Inyo forest.. The Idea is to find a camping spot with trails heads near bye.. The type of trails we are looking for are either long day hikes(possible loop?) or an In & out with a possible spot to over night camp on the trail.. Toughness of the trail isn't that important ASLONG AS ITS A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT!! ... Myself (37) in excellent hiking shape & my son (10) has good hiking experience..

Thank you for your input, Douglas..
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maverick
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Re: Hiking Trip Insight.

Post by maverick »

Hi Douglas,

Welcome to HST! Would leave Kings Canyon for backpacking, it takes most at least
1 1/2 days of backpacking to reach the good stuff. There are numerous campgrounds
in Inyo NF: http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/pacficsw/inyo.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Would recommend the following areas to find basecamping campgrounds near:
Sabrina Lake: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/rec ... 4&actid=50" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Little Lakes Valley: http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsint ... ey%20Trail" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Big Pine: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/rec ... 2&actid=51" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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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
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balzaccom
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Re: Hiking Trip Insight.

Post by balzaccom »

Those are all on the east side of the SIerra. You might also want to look at some spots on the west side. You can find some wonderful hikes in the Jennie Lakes area---although you would have to camp a few miles away from the trailhead, or the Dinkey Lakes area is also good.
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
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RoguePhotonic
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Re: Hiking Trip Insight.

Post by RoguePhotonic »

I agree that under your trip conditions I would rule out Kings Canyon. Although that park is probably my favorite place in the Sierra there is really only one place you can car camp which is on 180 out of Cedar Grove which is low and hot with all hikes out of there being a good distance with lots of climbing.

Inyo however has many options for camping with hikes to great places.
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oldranger
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Re: Hiking Trip Insight.

Post by oldranger »

Outside your criteria but consider Tuolumne Meadows.

Mike
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Who can't do everything he used to and what he can do takes a hell of a lot longer!
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Saltydog
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Re: Hiking Trip Insight.

Post by Saltydog »

Horseshoe Meadows. Lot's of choices, few people, Army Pass, Cottonwood Lakes and Pass, Old Army Pass. Car camp at 10,000+ , two steps up the trail and you are in the high country.
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JosiahSpurr
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Re: Hiking Trip Insight.

Post by JosiahSpurr »

dugout83 wrote:Toughness of the trail isn't that important ASLONG AS ITS A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT!! ...
In King's Canyon, it's not that tough, and it's a BEAUTIFUL SIGHT:

Avalanche Pass:

-- Park at Road's End -- Hike up Bubbs Creek -- go up the Sphinx Lakes trail and do the granite stairs (they're the best) with good views of Kings Canyon -- Go to Avalanche Pass, which is *not* on the trail, you have to hike downhill and to the right to get to the real pass, and from there are some beautiful views to the north of high country -- Then, although there is no trail, it's fairly easy to hike uphill and to the left to Sphinx Crest, where you get BEAUTIFUL views of Whaleback, Cloud Canyon, and lots, lots, lots more. Happy trails!
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