
I'm nearing forty and am in great shape. For several years now, I carry a SPOT and items needed for emergency overnight, but have never put them through emergency use. I self rescued from a broken ankle near the Incredible Hulk/Maltby/Little Slide Canyon, gaining some experience and additional caution in the process.
I just got back from a long trip to Twin Lakes (Bridgeport), North Lake and South Lake. I hiked and enjoyed Saddlebag area and Tioga Pass area a lot in recent years. Agassiz was fun, but Lamarck Col.-Darwin Bench-Lamarck Peak-higher ridge to the north, Piute Pass-Goethe Lake area, Matterhorn Peak, and Kettle Peak via Little Slide Canyon were less crowded and/or slightly more stunning approach hikes.
Eastside, I have visited, but have not experienced hiking from Onion Valley nor Convict Lake area. I also haven't hiked from Mammoth/June Lake, nor Whitney Portal, but am somewhat wary of the summer crowds and red tape. I've only hiked Virginia-Green Creek area once, but have been to Lee Vining-Bridgeport area a lot recent years. I haven't done the lower Eastside trailheads, but am skeptical of trying them in summer heat. I have not hiked HWY 4 area, but am skeptical hikes there would wow me as much as other areas and figure it can wait. I have dayhiked and/or truck camped most of the rest of the Sierra on both sides driving from Pacheco Pass (HWY 152) or Altamont (I-580), the latter more for fall, winter, and spring trips. Westside, several times I have hiked Kaiser Pass-Kaiser Wilderness-Florence area, Dinkey Lakes-Courtright area, and Norris TH-Madera Peak area, and Jennie Lakes area, but could push deeper to Mt. Hooper area, hike from Edison, push east from Courtright/Wishon, or dayhike from Isberg TH/Granite Creek area. Maybe the Westside hikes can wait for long weekends or off peak season rather than when I have 6-10 day summer chunks of time to possibly work with? Besides backpacking, what might wow me the most, or what hikes come to mind that I am not thinking of? Thanks, and and I will put up some more pics/reports/tips soon in return.