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I expect the hitchhike from Onion Valley to Independence is quite easy. A bit harder with two people, but it is a popular trailhead and everyone is going back down the hill.
Another "magic carpet" is the soles of your shoes! A buddy and I once parked at OV, hiked over Kearsarge, north to Baxter Peak and Pass, and then walked down, down to Independence town. The walk wasn't too bad, but that was several decades ago. I think one of us hitched a ride back up to OV without trouble.
So one could pull off the kind of trip Coloradans sometimes do-- that is, hiking from one mountain town to the next, buying food as you go. In this case, buy food and a fuel canister in Independence, and like you suggest, hike the two easy days back to Road's End.
Last edited by Harlen on Sun Feb 19, 2023 10:53 am, edited 2 times in total.
Everyone's already said whats needed to be said about the architecture of the trip, but to answer your question: I absolutely love Colby Pass. Colby Lake is beautiful and the east side to the Kern is a wonderful hike.
Some friends and I crossed Colby Pass and Shepherd Pass west to east in late August-early September 2019, a high snow year. The last few hundred feet vertical up the trail to Colby Pass on the northwest side is mostly short switchbacks through talus. But there was deep ice/snow at the ends of the switchbacks, so we shortcut the switchbacks and ended up climbing more or less straight up the talus for about 70-80 feet vertical. Might be more ice/snow for you since so far this year the snow load looks heavier and I think you're planning to go a little earlier.
And maybe no longer relevant for you, but in 2014 a friend and I hitched from Onion Valley to Independence, no problem. And after a nice French lunch in Independence, we talked to some people and found someone who was willing to drive us back up to the trailhead.
I like thefool's route though suggest at least 3 days longer with at least one layover day somewhere you like. I'd also consider hiking a ways past Roaring River ranger station on the second day. And if it was me, I'd have cedar grove pack station pack me up as far as they would take you in one day (and then the horses return the same day-- a spot trip. This is the advice of an old fart that as soon as he reached 60 started getting packed in his first day on extended hikes. That first day out of Cedar is hot and steep and you have the heaviest pack of the trip. Besides, going up the trail along Spinx Creek on a horse will be one of the most exciting things you will do in your life! This will put you in good shape to get part way up cloud canyon your second day and to shorten your next climb up to Colby lake. I also suggest some of the other days in thefool's intinerary may be a bit long to be fun.
Mike
Who can't do everything he used to and what he can do takes a hell of a lot longer!
I think stashing a car at Roads End would be the best and to forget about Kearsarge -do it for a different excursion. This will allow time to explore Picket Guard, S am Lake, Center Basin, East and Reflection lakes.
That sounds great Renee! You are heading into amazing high country basins. "The Fool" has more genius than foolishness-- that is a highlight reel route he created. Looks like you will see much of it. All the best, and please let us know how it goes.
p.s. Don't worry about c9h13no3 's mosquitoes in August issues-- they just follow him around because he's so sweet.
( <3, he taught me that. )
Colby Pass in October was harder to follow.
Keep in mind, you might get this Colby Lake and Pass.... or
This one, one day later!
The route up Colby was harder to manage in the snow.
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