High Sierra Topix

Do you know any worthwhile backpacks between 1 and 2 miles from roads? (And please check out your distances on http://mapper.acme.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; if you are unsure.)

In our national forest wildernesses and national park backcountry, a standard requirement is that one camp at least one mile from any road or trailhead. A prime reason is that some car campers would otherwise simply park along roadside pullouts and stumble into woods a hundred yards or so. That would predictably impact the near road environments more than is already the case and often leave a mess since many such people are relatively ignorant of acceptable ettitiquette. Note in national forest zones where dispersed camping is allowed, one can actually legally wander off even close to roads and do that. But here I am talking about backpacking with a pack at least the noted mile.

Why would one backpack just a mile? Maybe to set up a camp by oneself for a short peaceful and or interesting two or three days. Maybe because you are taking people that are physically limited say like an older person or out of shape person you may be trying to interest in getting outdoors.

I actually know many such places because as a photographer I have done a lot of rambling off from obscure roadside pullouts. Yes for this person most of such places are actually easy crosscountry efforts. But I also know some nice spots a mile or so out along actual trails.

Many years ago my daughter wanted to go "backpacking". The destination was the north fork of Big Pine creek at an improved tent site just past the first set of switch backs. It was clean, organized and totally deserted because everyone was heading for a view of the lakes and the glaciers with their wilderness permits in hand. It can be that way because it is still outside the the Wilderness boundary so its possible to do some grading for a designated tent area, fire pit, and maybe even a picnic table. Not to get off topic, but this site was vastly superior to what I see at overused sites just before the crest. Thanks Dave, a great topic!

Actually, many areas in the National Forests allow for what is called "dispersed" camping. Which just means that you can camp anywhere you can find a spot that looks good.

balzaccom wrote:Actually, many areas in the National Forests allow for what is called "dispersed" camping. Which just means that you can camp anywhere you can find a spot that looks good.

More accurately stated: All NF lands are open to dispersed camping except where prohibited by local regulation.

balzaccom wrote:Actually, many areas in the National Forests allow for what is called "dispersed" camping. Which just means that you can camp anywhere you can find a spot that looks good.

Which is why I noted that so there would just be backpacking inputs where people actually use a backpack loaded up in a more serious way haha.

Well I'll start with a place one can reach by trail that though the near trail areas are very popular, if one wanders off a bit, one can easily find peace just a bit more than one mile from trailheads. The first is one of everyone's favorite, 20 Lakes Basin beyond the ferry dropoff of Saddlebag Lake. To go the one mile minimum one needs to at least hike the old mining road to Wasco Lake. Of course many of the ferry customers camp right on the Saddlebag or Greenstone Lake shores but that is hardly backpacking. More like walk to public campsites.

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.98561,-119.29290&z=15&t=T" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So where I will recommend backpacking to is above Wasco Lake's west shores that is a beautiful area of metasedimentary rocks. Of course the hike has very little vertical which is ideal for someone out of shape. Within the zone for the next mile there are many little benches well away from the old road, often with pretty little no name ponds where one can easily camp without being visible to others. The views of both North Peak and Mount Conness are of course spectacular.

http://www.davidsenesac.com/Gallery_B/06-GG8-4.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My favorite time for this high elevation area is early to mid September when the grass high arctic willow turns turfy areas red.

My not so secret place is Redwood Canyon south of Grant Grove. Early and late in the season (now, this year!) you probably won't meet anyone else and you can pitch your tent amongst the sequoias. You can even do this as a loop trip. I posted this or a similar pic last spring but it does dramatize a unique experience.
Mike

Grouse Ridge and lakes below that of Highway 20?

balzaccom >>>"Grouse Ridge and lakes below that of Highway 20"

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=39.40728,-120.62233&z=14&t=T" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Amen. The very best short backpack area for those living in the Sacramento Valley. We found surprisingly good fishing for nice sized brook and rainbow in one of those more obsucre lakes just a mile from the road on a Memorial Day. Just one other group visited that sunny weekend.


oldranger >>>"Redwood Canyon south of Grant Grove."

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=36.70624,-118.91387&z=15&t=T" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes indeed. Not only is the hike into those groves short, but it is one of just a few places one can legally backpack on trails and set up a tent in old growth sequoias in the Sierra. Because of the low elevation, it is also a good choice early and late season.

For a short, easy backpack trip I often recommend May Lake. When the road to the trailhead is open, it's about a mile and a half, maybe an hour with a full pack. The shortest distance from car to camp in YNP.

It's busy in the summer when the HSC is in full swing, but not too crowded before and after that. From there you can dayhike Mt Hoffmann or follow an abandoned trail towards Tuolumne Peak.