Looking for short/easy one nighter for May 19

[walterfredo]

Hello HST. This place is always a great source for info and I am in need of some advice yet again. We are looking to take a group of middle school first timers on a short one night backpack trip on May 19. Due to the early time of year and the ability of the group, options are limited. Our original plan was Ladybug outside of Three Rivers, but after scouting it out last weekend realized that it would be a terrible idea to bring squirrelly middle school kids to a camp site literally feet away from the south fork of the kaweah, which is raging right now. If something happened and a kid fell in it would not end well.

Anyone have any recommendations? Is jennie lakes/weaver lake likely still under snowpack? We're looking for something under 3-4 miles, not a lot of elevation gain. Any recommendations greatly appreciated. We are in Visalia so something over on this side preferred.

[AlmostThere]

Anything over 7000 feet will be under some amount of snow. There will still be snow on the road to the trailheads in Jennie Wilderness area. There are still requirements to carry chains and it snowed again last weekend.

You should think about taking them to Henry Coe -- there are campsites that fill the bill nicely. A group campsite on Manzanita Point will allow you to have one support vehicle bring in stuff, and the kids can hike on trails or on the road to the campsite.

[walterfredo]

Thanks! Upon first glance Henry Coe group sites look to be booked solid but I will call in the morning.

[zacjust32]

Redwood Canyon in Kings Canyon should be clear and easy. No need for reservations and no permit quota outside the permit season.

[AlmostThere]

If Manzanita Point's group sites are booked another fairly straightforward, minimal elevation loss/gain would be taking the Flat Frog trail to the Frog Lake campsite. There is one stream crossing and that would be backpacking. Sierra View, Old Oak and Ridge View are also backpacking camps but are about a mile out and Sierra View is a little climbing up the road. The backpacking sites can't be reserved. Many groups head for Poverty Flat but you cross Coyote Creek and that can be pretty substantial for crossing, and then it's a steep-ish climb back up to the ridge road. A little more strenuous than you are looking for I think.

[AlmostThere]

Redwood Canyon in Kings Canyon should be clear and easy. No need for reservations and no permit quota outside the permit season.

If the road is open there shouldn't be much snow left. It is however limited to 10 people and no campfires allowed. Not sure how many middle schoolers or chaperones are involved.

[walterfredo]

Thanks!

There's about 20 total between the kids and chaperones, but we can split into two groups if necessary.

[AlmostThere]

Thanks!

There's about 20 total between the kids and chaperones, but we can split into two groups if necessary.

wilderness areas limit backpacking groups to 15, some areas fewer than that.

Henry Coe's legal limit is, I believe, 12. The group camps at Manzanita Point are maxed at 50.

The other location that will accommodate a group of 20 would be Point Reyes. There are group camps at Wildcat and at Coast Camp. You need reservations and this late likely won't get one, but it is worth checking as it would be perfect for newbies. Another possibility might be Big Basin State Park, or the other state parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains - the backpacker camp in Castle Rock is two miles in and moderately easy hiking. The kids would love it.

[AlmostThere]

You mention Ladybug in Three Rivers -- google Salt Creek. The trailhead is hard to find - it's at the end of Skyline road in Three Rivers. The property is BLM, and no permits are needed, so no group limitations. You can hike out until you find a spot big enough (I can remember a few) for everyone and there is a creek running through, going more than a couple miles requires some climbing up a dirt road. The area is on the south flank of Case Mountain, the top of which is one of my favorite early season camp spots but is likely snowy and a hefty 5000+ foot climb over 10 miles, so not for kiddoes but a nice workout with a neat sunset at the end.

[walterfredo]

Actually the Skyline BLM trail was discussed a couple of times tonight, I know it fairly well as we've been taking our children on day hikes for years! Starting to think that may be our best option, but I will look at all the options posted here tomorrow. Thanks again!