Camping in the Sierra in June

[kpeter]

I have finally concluded that backpacking in the Sierra in June, to my standards, is impossible. In the distant past I was an avid car camper. So where, in the lower elevations of the Sierra, do you think would be good destinations to car camp/day hike *without months-in-advance reservations)?

My criteria are a decent campsite in proximity (driving proximity) to good day hikes. The day hikes could face some snow, but the car camp site should be clear.

I'm just going to arbitrarily rule out coastal camping, since everyone and their brother and uncle and aunt have decided to do that. I presume campsites in the Sierra in June are going to be in the 4-7k elevation, not so far from cleared roads.

[Wandering Daisy]

I have always liked the BLM Tuttle Creek campground. It is open year round and very reasonably priced. I think the entire campground is first-come. It is on the way to Horseshoe Meadow and if the road is open there is day hiking in Cottonwood Lakes. You can do a day-hike up to the Tuttle Creek Stone House (Ashram). Maybe day-hike up to the Whitney Zone boundary; there is a little lake there. White Mountain Bristlecone Forest also nearby.

You used to be able to disperse camp in Alabama Hills. Not sure that is still allowed.

Four Jefferys up towards South Lake is open and nice. Permits may be a problem.

Some of the hikes west of Donner Summit require no permits. There are some nice little lakes that you can backpack at. There is still a lot of snow up there right now.

There are 2-3 small no-reserve campgrounds down by Salt Springs Reservoir. It is low elevation, big granite cliffs, and a trail that goes up to the Reservoir inlet. Supposed to be good fishing up there. You can drop down on mainly paved roads from the highway before you get to Silver Lake.

We have also camped at Glory Hole on New Melones. It is very nice when the reservoir is at a high level. It is B. Reclamation, reasonable price, senior discount. You can reserve or we never had trouble getting a site just arriving. They also have walk-in sites that I think are non-reservable first come. There is an extensive network of mountain bike trails. Wildflowers are nice. And you can drive up to Alpine Lake ski area. If you want to do a loop, and the pass is open, go over the pass and drop to the Carson? river- dispersed camping on side of the road.

Free dispersed camping at Courtright Reservoir, across the dam near the trailhead parking. Also a few campgrounds (PG&E?).

Another mountain range to explore is the Warner Wilderness in the far NE corner of California. I have done two backpacks there (happens to have two of the county high points). It is little-used and I doubt it has quotas or permits. It probably is out of your driving range, though.

Actually I have been to a lot of remote and less used areas in pursuit of the county high points. Did one peak in the western part of Trinity Wilderness has trails and lower elevation so probably snow free mid to late June. There are several guidebooks on the Trinity Wilderness.

[wildhiker]

Are you talking early June or late June? By late June, most trailhead access roads heading off the Bowman Road (paved) should be open to the Grouse Lakes roadless area in the Tahoe NF just north of Interstate 80. The highest trailhead - Grouse Ridge - might not be open. There are small developed Forest Service or PG&E campgrounds near many of these trailheads. I believe they are all first-come, first-served. The ones I know about are at Rucker Lake (about 5500 feet elev.), Grouse Ridge (about 7500 feet elev.), Carr Lake (about 6700 feet elev., walk-in between 50 yards and 1/4 mile) and Lindsey Lake (about 5200 feet elev.). I don't think any of these campgrounds have piped water - purify local lake or stream water. They all have picnic tables and vault toilets and charge a small fee. If you are totally self-contained, there is also a large fairly flat dispersed camping area along the road into the Loney Meadow trailhead, just north of Lindsey Lake. Lots of good trails for day hikes in this area.
-Phil

[Love the Sierra]

Lovely forest with plenty of dirts roads for dispersed camping just out of Lee Vining. Head EAST on the 120, past Mono Lake until you see the forest open up on your right. It is still my go to car camping spot.

[maiathebee]

Third-ing the Tahoe NF. Sardine Lakes campground has some spots and (I hear) is mostly melted out. Also Tahoe--many of the campgrounds around here have space on weekdays. Check Silver Creek, William Kent, Meeks Bay, Fallen Leaf. East side hikes are more melted than west side.

[grampy]

… Free dispersed camping at Courtright Reservoir, across the dam near the trailhead parking. Also a few campgrounds (PG&E?) ..,

the road into Wishon Reservoir is open, but (as of today) Courtright is still closed. I couldn’t find anything on a predicted opening date.

[Love the Sierra]

I do not stay in campgrounds, I only dispersed camp.
Anyway, I just got back from Cottonwood Lakes and there is a dirt road off of Horseshoe Meadow Road and you can legally camp there. We stayed one night. Going UP the road, it is on the right hand side, (not the creek side, the other side) at about 9400’ elevation.