TR: Sabrina Basin October 18-20, 2023 (1st time solo trip)
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 2:11 pm
About me: I'm a first-time poster, frequent lurker! Forgive me for writing this post 2 months post trip but I'm happy to be getting it done. My 3 day, 2 night trip was my first time doing a solo backpack. I'm a woman in my mid-40s and started backpacking a few years ago. I do a few backpacking trips a year. My trips are on trail, although I've done some cross-country with the Sierra Club. I chose the Lake Sabrina trailhead as my starting point because I've gone up to Blue Lake as a day hike so it's familiar. I'm hoping this TR helps other newbies feel some confidence about going out on their own.
I had some time off in October from work so I kept an eye out on the weather and chose a few days where the lows were expected to be above freezing. The permits were easy to get, I decided to take my trip on a Tuesday and I was on trail the next day.
Day 1: Luckily for me, my mom lives in Bishop. She walked me halfway to Blue Lake. I believe it still counts as a solo trip when your mom walks you halfway to your campsite?!?
The fall colors near Lake Sabrina were gorgeous.
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
The hike to Blue Lake is a little over 3 miles. I set up camp near Blue Lake and then headed out to Donkey Lake. The trail was well marked and I had AllTrails and a printed CalTopo map I made for backup.
Donkey Lake
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
Blue Lake (convenient access to water)
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
Blue Lake in the evening
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
Day 2: Between the sun setting early, the cold coming in quickly, and being alone, I went to bed early both nights. I spent a good 12 hours in my tent. Some of my time was spent reading before bed and in the middle of the night. Although it got cold quickly as the sun went behind the mountains, the daytime temps were excellent, in the 60s with strong sunshine.
I originally planned to pack up camp and hike to Midnight Lake on day 2. Between the weight of my pack - solo hiking meant no one to share equipment with and October weather meant lots of layers, a warm sleeping bag, and two sleeping mats- and the reality of hiking at a higher altitude made me decide to stay at Blue Lake and do a day hike to Midnight Lake by way of Dingleberry Lake. (I'm looking forward to checking out Hunger Packer and Moonlight on my next visit!)
The trail is clearly marked except when traversing sections of huge boulders. Sometimes rocks were marking the trail as shown below, other times I had to guess and use my phone for support.
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
Dingleberry Lake hiding in the middle
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
Midnight Lake
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
Day 3: I woke up on my final day and packed up. It was a Friday so the trail traffic increased significantly from the prior days the trail back to Lake Sabrina. In contrast, I only saw one couple camping near Blue Lake and a small group that was looking for a site plus a few other day hikers. On the hike to Midnight Lake, I saw two people the entire time.
I made it back to Bishop well before noon and had a great dinner with my mom at Mountain Rambler Brewery.
I had some time off in October from work so I kept an eye out on the weather and chose a few days where the lows were expected to be above freezing. The permits were easy to get, I decided to take my trip on a Tuesday and I was on trail the next day.
Day 1: Luckily for me, my mom lives in Bishop. She walked me halfway to Blue Lake. I believe it still counts as a solo trip when your mom walks you halfway to your campsite?!?
The fall colors near Lake Sabrina were gorgeous.
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
The hike to Blue Lake is a little over 3 miles. I set up camp near Blue Lake and then headed out to Donkey Lake. The trail was well marked and I had AllTrails and a printed CalTopo map I made for backup.
Donkey Lake
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
Blue Lake (convenient access to water)
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
Blue Lake in the evening
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
Day 2: Between the sun setting early, the cold coming in quickly, and being alone, I went to bed early both nights. I spent a good 12 hours in my tent. Some of my time was spent reading before bed and in the middle of the night. Although it got cold quickly as the sun went behind the mountains, the daytime temps were excellent, in the 60s with strong sunshine.
I originally planned to pack up camp and hike to Midnight Lake on day 2. Between the weight of my pack - solo hiking meant no one to share equipment with and October weather meant lots of layers, a warm sleeping bag, and two sleeping mats- and the reality of hiking at a higher altitude made me decide to stay at Blue Lake and do a day hike to Midnight Lake by way of Dingleberry Lake. (I'm looking forward to checking out Hunger Packer and Moonlight on my next visit!)
The trail is clearly marked except when traversing sections of huge boulders. Sometimes rocks were marking the trail as shown below, other times I had to guess and use my phone for support.
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
Dingleberry Lake hiding in the middle
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
Midnight Lake
Sabrina solo trip by Alice G, on Flickr
Day 3: I woke up on my final day and packed up. It was a Friday so the trail traffic increased significantly from the prior days the trail back to Lake Sabrina. In contrast, I only saw one couple camping near Blue Lake and a small group that was looking for a site plus a few other day hikers. On the hike to Midnight Lake, I saw two people the entire time.
I made it back to Bishop well before noon and had a great dinner with my mom at Mountain Rambler Brewery.