Advice for Minnow Creek, Cascade Valley

[Love the Sierra]

Hello,
I will be going in from the Duck Pass TH and my daughter and I would like to explore the minnow Creek Fish creek area.
The first day will be driving and then camp at either Duck or Pika. My questions are regarding the subsequent days.

For day two, I have read in other reports that Marsh is Mozzie central but 8 yrs ago when we were there, Purple was terribly crowded and full of trash. I remember Virginia as solid, squishy meadow with no place to pitch a tent. Where is the best place for the day 2 camp?

For day three, I read that Wilbur May is the easiest to get to, but we will spend 2 nights at this camp as day 4 will be a layover day, so which is the prettiest and best camping? We do not fish, so that is not a consideration.

For day 4 layover, what is the most scenic? Should we explore olive, Peter Pande (If we stay at Wilbur may) and head up Minnow Creek? Should we go past the Indian lakes and head up cascade valley on Fish Creek trail? We have never been there and, when we were there 8 years ago, only got glimpses of the Silver divide from the short few miles we hiked on the Fish creek trail. Should we head up Goodall pass or Silver Pass for the view?

Thank you so much for the help and Info, especially about the camp sites!!
Aura

[Wandering Daisy]

Here are my favorite camps on your route.

good camp locations

Pika Lake (photo 1)

Above (north) Virginia Lake (Photo 2)

Lake of the Lone Indian (Photo 3)

view from Lake of the Lone Indian

Peter Pande Lake (Photo 4)

Anne Lake (Photo 5)

Anne Lake outlet

OLive Lake (Photo 6)

The Virginia Lake site is on the shores of a pond north of Virginia Lake. I do not think the pond is one of the two shown on the map. There is a small hill just south of where I took this photo that has dry camps if the grass around the pond is too wet. Here is the trip report link with more details.
viewtopic.php?t=19753

I have not camped at Anne Lake- just walked by. It is best accessed from Peter Pande.

From Peter Pande Lake it is a short x-c walk to Olive Lake, which is not as scenic. Anne or Peter Pande are better. Anne for more solitude because it is off-trail.

Here is the trip report for the other lakes- sorry the photos are bad because I no longer use Photobucket. But it does show a different approach CCW loop to the lakes.
viewtopic.php?t=6962

[Love the Sierra]

Daisy, THANK YOU! If we run into each other on the Bear Creek/ Canyon, I will be able to tell you how wonderful the trip was!
For some reason, your TR did not show up when I searched the site. Thank you for the links

[Gogd]

Peter Pande gets my vote for your layover camp. It is worth the sweat. Lots of sight seeing close by with nominal effort.

Ed

[maverick]

Godg wrote:

Peter Pande gets my vote for your layover camp.

Hands down!

[Love the Sierra]

Thank you!
Now, for the layover day hike, explore the lakes, go up minnow creek or head up the pass for views?
From WD’s pictures, looks like explode the lakes, but views without shlepping a pack are great!

[Gogd]

Thank you!
Now, for the layover day hike, explore the lakes, go up minnow creek or head up the pass for views?
From WD’s pictures, looks like explode the lakes, but views without shlepping a pack are great!

It's all good! The lakes are purddy. I know Graveyard Peak has good vistas, a low level class three with no exposure, and is a short approach from any of the nearby lakes. Go hit up Anne Lake, then shoot up to the pass between Graveyard and Peak 11275.

Ed

[Love the Sierra]

Ha Ha, I love the way you say “Shoot up” like it is nothing, Ed.
One last question for all of you, please.
On day 2, In case we are able to hike further than Lake Virginia, how is the trail to Hortense from the PCT? Is that 700’ climb up the drainage pretty straight forward and relatively easy footing? Maybe it makes better sense to camp somewhere near Fish Creek?
Thanks!

[Gogd]

how is the trail to Hortense from the PCT? Is that 700’ climb up the drainage pretty straight forward and relatively easy footing?

My memory of Hortense is faded. We had trouble following Hortense Creek, lots of riparian zone flora to thrash through. Probably better catching the the ridge north of the creek that starts right at the Tully Hole Bridge.

Ed

[Wandering Daisy]

I do not see how going to Hortense Lake works into your plan, given your time. I do not recall that there is any easy route from Hortense to Silver Divide.

I would just stay at Virginia Lake- it is huge and has lots of nice day-hiking in the area. With a bit of scouting, you can find nice campsites along the north shore, well away from the trail, as well above the lake, on the north, east of the trail. Or if you get to Purple Lake early, do a side trip up to Ram Lakes (there is a trail).

What you do not want to do (unless late season) is camp in Tullys Hole - it as full of mosquitoes.