High Sierra Topix

The Buttermilks sound like a really good idea for camping - no worries about reserving a campsite and no fees.

In the section on camping in this guide it says that you can have a fire with a permit in the Buttermilks, but that might not be the case this year:

http://www.sierramountaincenter.com/oth ... ion_mg.pdf

Here's info on Tuttle Creek:

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/c ... uttle.html

The Buttermilk area is nice, but last time we camped there we had to step around the broken beer bottles (it's obviously a hangout for the local disaffected kids!)

broken bottles - yuck

well, whatever the powers that be decide is fine with me

No fires in the Buttermilks this year.
I hate the broken bottles too but perhaps instead of just "stepping around" them you could pick them up.I keep a pair of gloves and trash bags in my truck at all times.

we had planned some hikes out of Independence area. Buttermilk is over an hours drive from hiking area. I would like to camp closer to Independence. since OV camp is full - maybe we can dry camp in the Mazurka Canyon area or Manzanar Reward Rd. it is much closer drive for hiking, don't have to worry about the local hooligans, and I think we can find an area where fires would be permissable, should be good area to set up tent for those who need.

Lewis has good experience in this area and can probably chime in
I am planning to do a little reconoiterring after next Saturday's hike.

have we started a head/vehicle count yet.
also anyone not good with map and/or GPS skill exact driving directions could be provided if need - please advise prior to weekend.

If the group is camping near Onion Valley, I think I might go for Dragon. Hikes starting at Onion Valley/Independence and points north sound nice to me. Of my 8 trips to the Sierra this past spring/summer, 4 of them have been to the Lone Pine/Whitney area; so I'm kind of burnt out on that area - especially with how dry looking it is this year.

ditto the burnout on the Portals area - this is the first weekend in the last 4 that I did not hike out of the area - and the WPMB is doing a group hike out there again in 2 weeks - don't want to drive up that road any more for awhile.

if we make Dragon the day 2 hike(Sunday) - should be less people
still looking at Snow Crown for day 1 - as is not so strenuous and can probably more of a group can summit here.

as always adjustments can be made - still have 4 weeks(appr) to lock in

As much as I would like to do Snow Crown has anyone done Kindergarten Gully up to Peak 13,121 from the Buttermilks? Its 1.1miles south of Mt Humphreys. I am looking in "Eastern Sierra Ice" This is a real mellow ice chute to the summit of 13121 next to Checkered Demon. We can descent by way of peak 12634 back to the cars (two peaks) and camp, about 5m round trip.
The rd in from Bishop, W line st. 7.3m to the Buttermilks Rd turn right. Set odometer to zero here, at 3.6m pass peabody boulders go straight to cross a cattleguard, at 5.9m you will pass horton lakes turnoff go straight, at 7.5m cross the stream (inches of water), 8.3m to 8.65m ignore all left turns go straight ahead. Without high profile and or 4wd this may be the end, or travel to 9.8m passing aspens to a fork, go left .4m to roads end. TrailBud will have his 4wd, SN, others?
In a nutshell, 10m from Bishop, hike from camp 5m round trip, the Buttermilks, no permit needed. Not sure about fires

UTM 352837E 4124672N (peak) 355570E 4126479N (camp)

I have 4WD.


Where is Snow Crown? I've never heard of it? Do you start in Onion Valley? How tall is it?

I will check out a few areas on Friday.

I counted 13 that replied so far, and a possible 3 more that are coming but have not replied yet.

I think we have five 4x4s, that I know of, and will post a list later.