High Sierra Topix

Hi! My boyfriend, myself and another couple will be backpacking to Twin Lakes tomorrow morning and coming out Sunday. This is my boyfriend and I's second trip and the other couples first. We were originally going to hike out of the Potter Pass trailhead but are now thinking of leaving out of Sample Meadow instead because it looks to be less steep (although it's longer). Any suggestions?

new2bckpcking wrote:....We were originally going to hike out of the Potter Pass trailhead but are now thinking of leaving out of Sample Meadow instead because it looks to be less steep (although it's longer). Any suggestions?

Both routes are quite nice and relatively straight forward and simple. Starting from Sample is pleasnat (nice meadow and views) and indeed has less gradient, but as you note is a bit longer. Elevation gains are about the same, ~ 800 feet, because while you start lower at Sample (~7,800') and dont cross the Pass, you are about 400' higher (~8,200') when you start from the Potter Pass trail. You do have to ford Kaiser Creek to come from the Sample side, which Im guessing will be flowing pretty good with all the snow this year, but Kaiser is typically an easy ford even early. Either choice will be fun. If you have two cars, you could go in one way, and out the other. Bring lots of skeeter repellant, because while they werent out a few weeks ago when I was up there, with all the melting snow it wont be long.

Great, thanks! What about going in on the California Hiking and Riding trail and merging with the Potter Pass trail? Have you done that one? Is it harder/easier, better/worse?

I'm not familiar with the CR&H trail n2bp as Ive only gone in to the Kaiser Wilderness on the two trails you queried as well as two other dayhikes, one from Kaiser Pass to Idaho lake and the other from FS road 7S81 to Long Lake. If you are referring to the cutoff trail that starts a couple of miles west (downhill) on Hwy 168 and then joins the Potter Pass trail near the Pass, then I would say that route would be fine as well, but you are adding on about 400' of elevation gain to your trek. Seems like either of the other two would be simpler.