Fastest way to Marie, Three Island and Bear Lakes Basin

[Trailguru]

Hello HST crew,

We are level 3-4 and are okay with class 2 and low class 3 with no exposure. Trail days up to 15 miles or x-c days of 7-9 miles are okay. I did the Moose lake to lake 11,200 X-C last year (TR and video coming soon!) so navigation is not a problem.

Wondering if you could give me some input as to the fastest and most scenic (though I think the answer is any route I choose) as to getting from trailhead to the the Marie Lakes, Three Island and Bear Lakes basin for a 4 day trip.

I know all three areas are not exactly right next to each other but if possible I would like to try and hit all of them up. Here is a back of the napkin itinerary for now. Feel free to critique, suggest or otherwise, give some alternative starting points or places to camp!

Conservative Schedule (skipping bear lakes basin)
Day 1: Hooper Diversion TH to Rose Lake
Day 2: Rose Lake to Three Island lake
Day 3: Three Island Lake to Vee Lake
Day 4: Vee Lake back to trailhead (long day)

Aggressive Schedule
Day 1: Hooper Diversion TH to Marie Lake[/list]
Day 2: Marie lake to Three Island lake over Seven Gables Pass to Bear lakes Basin or alternatively from Marie lake to Lou Beverly Lake to Bear Lakes Basin[/list]
Day 3: Bear Lakes Basin to Rose Lake following bear creek downstream[/list]
Day 4: Rose Lake and Back to TH[/list]

These are two possible scenarios that I've started drafting in my head. Now here are my questions:

1.) Is the aggressive itinerary doable? Or should I alter these plans a bit? How hard is the trail from Hooper Diversion to Crazy Pass?
2.) How's the road getting to Hooper Diversion trailhead? Do I need anything beyond a basic AWD car like a Subaru?
3.) Would Hooper Diversion trailhead be the best option or should I just take the long route from lake Thomas Edison or Florence lake or possibly even Pine Creek on the east side?

[sekihiker]

Here's how I toured that area: http://www.sierrahiker.com/BearLakes/index.html

[Carne_DelMuerto]

2.) How's the road getting to Hooper Diversion trailhead? Do I need anything beyond a basic AWD car like a Subaru?

I drove up to the trailhead in my Subaru a few years back. No issues except finding a decent parking spot. I day hiked up to Chamberlain Lake and there was a light trail for about first half, but the rest was off trail. I'm not sure of a trail up the drainage to Crazy Pass...

Others will have a better assessment than me, but this seems like a lot of up and down to get there...shorter route, sure...faster, that's debatable.

[Trailguru]

2.) How's the road getting to Hooper Diversion trailhead? Do I need anything beyond a basic AWD car like a Subaru?

I drove up to the trailhead in my Subaru a few years back. No issues except finding a decent parking spot. I day hiked up to Chamberlain Lake and there was a light trail for about first half, but the rest was off trail. I'm not sure of a trail up the drainage to Crazy Pass...

Others will have a better assessment than me, but this seems like a lot of up and down to get there...shorter route, sure...faster, that's debatable.

Was starting to wonder that as well. That mileage from Florence lake seems brutal.

[windknot]

Hooper Diversion to Rose via Crazy Pass is certainly scenic and a nifty route, but it might be at the limit of what I'd consider "low class 3 with no exposure." You probably read the writeup I posted on Crazy Pass in the Cross Country Passes section -- none of my photos do a good job of depicting the steepness of the very top of the pass, but it's decently exposed.

As Level 3-4 backpackers you'll be fine (especially because it's easier going up steep passes than down with full packs) but just a note to take your time in micro routefinding there. We probably didn't take the very best path up, but there wasn't one that immediately appeared better. I know Wandering Daisy has been down and up this pass too, and probably has better context share because she's much more experienced than I am.

[Carne_DelMuerto]

That mileage from Florence lake seems brutal.

Have you considered Bear Diversion Dam or Bear Ridge trailheads? I've hiked from both and a group in good shape can easily get up into the Hilgard Branch or (probably) Marie Lake in a day. Here's my route from 2017: https://www.highsierratopix.com/commun ... =1&t=16476

[Wandering Daisy]

I only day-hiked to Hopper Lakes from Rose Lake, just a day-pack. You have to go down or up blocky benches with little cliffs. A line to haul your pack may be useful. There are limbs to hang on to at times. Sometimes you have to bash through brush. Here is a photo of the route I did.

Crazy Pass Route/ from Crazy Lake

[Trailguru]

That mileage from Florence lake seems brutal.

Have you considered Bear Diversion Dam or Bear Ridge trailheads? I've hiked from both and a group in good shape can easily get up into the Hilgard Branch or (probably) Marie Lake in a day.

I've never been to those reservoirs on the west side so I'm not sure what the trailheads are called or what not. But thanks for pointing them both out. They both seem under 13 miles which is definitely doable in a day. The mileage seems pretty close between Bear Diversion Dam and Bear Ridge trailheads. Is there a reason to pick one trailhead over another? And how do either compare to coming in from Florence lake. Florence just seems to gain a lot more elevation quickly though....

[Carne_DelMuerto]

I've never hiked in from Florence. As for the two trailheads:

• Bear Ridge: more climbing, can be hot and dusty, little to no water, easy to reach with 2WD
• Bear Diversion: follows Bear Creek (which has some beautiful spots), more shade/water access, getting to dam will require a AWD/4WD with good clearance

[DHeuschele]

I have used each of the bear creek trail, bear ridge trail, and coming from Florence. The most scenic is bear creek trail. I also suspect it is the easiest but it does require a 4x4.

Currently this year I suspect you cannot get to hooper diversion or cross bear creak. I was hoping to hike into cirque in a week but suspect I will be looking for a different backpack.

I am interested in trying crazy pass but not next week’s trip because cannot get to hooper diversion.