base camp recommendations

[mckee80]

Hi,
My buddy and I have a lot of backpacking experience and have made a deal with 5 of our friends (they will come backpacking if a packer brings their stuff in and out). We were planning on Sabrina Basin, but it seems like Bishop Creek Pack Station isn't in existence any more. I found a dozen or so other pack stations, but I haven't been to a lot of the destinations. If I'm looking for fishing, swimming, and daytrip opportunities (hiking to passes or lakes or just exploring) for 5 days, and probably less than 8 miles to get in and our. I've been on Ediza/1000 island loop, Bear Lakes Basin, a lot of Yosemite. I'd like to give the newcomers a sense of awe, and any destination like the ones I mentioned would be great. Are there any of these that anyone thinks stand out from the rest?

mcgee canyon, hilton lakes
lady lake, flat lake (west side)
bear creek
little lakes valley, gold creek & 4th recess lake, pioneer basin lake 1
golden trout, cottonwood lakes basin, crabtree meadow
waugh/clarke/weber
northern yosemite
dinkey lakes

Thanks in advance,
Sean

[Flamingo]

Hello Sean,
It sounds like you want to help your friends fall in love with the Sierra. Sweet

I'll upvote a couple things on your list...

Pioneer Basin & 4th Recess is a great option because it's interior to the range, and the hike over Mono Pass is achievable with your miles. When I've visited Pioneer Basin---surrounded by peaks in all directions---I've had the strong feeling of I am in the Wilderness! with a capital W. A great place to take newcomers.

I also +1 Northern Yosemite, specifically from Virginia Lakes trailhead, over Summit Pass and then basecamp around the headwaters of Return Creek. I recall that Virginia Lakes Pack Outfiter has offered a trip like this.

Good luck!

[Jim F]

Hi,

About 20 years ago I am camped high in the Palisades Basin below the big peaks to the east. A man carrying an enormous pack is seen crossing Thunderbolt Pass. He heads my way.

Soon two ladies without packs follow, his wife and a friend. The ladies "don't do backpacking." The Rainbow Pack Outfitters had transported the ladies from Parcher's Resort to Bishop Pass. Then the gentleman becomes the mule. I suggested they make camp below at the highest Barrett Lake.

I touch base with them over the next several days. They are very spirited and having a blast exploring the Palisades and Dusy Basins. (They brought some excellent wine to share at camp.) He is an avid fisherman and the ladies are having no problem with "catching some rays" by the lake.

Enjoy doing research for your exciting outing.

Jim

[paul]

Is this not the pack outfit you need?
https://www.rainbowpackoutfitters.com/form__map
Website says their phone is not working, send them an email.

[wildhiker]

lady lake, flat lake (west side)

Is the "Lady Lake" to which you refer the one in the western part of the Ansel Adams Wilderness? We base-camped there with our three kids (ages 3, 7, and 8) in 1987. My wife and I were the "pack horses". The hike in was fairly short from the Norris trailhead - even the 3 year old could handle it - and the basin was scenic yet gave a sense of isolation. High ground close to the lake gave long views over wild country of the southern Yosemite peaks. Many other lakes are easily accessible on short hikes to the north. On the down side, the road to the trailhead is long and rough. And the first mile and a half or so of the trail was burned in the big Creek fire in 2020. Best to check with the Forest Service on the trail conditions.

-Phil

[FrankPS]

I wonder how long their phone has been out of service or if they will ever fix it.

[OutdoorRandy]

While I don't know if this is still the case, I spoke to a packer at one of the Hilton Creek Lakes in 2020 and he noted that any packer can run trips for any trailhead (probably with the appropriate permit and Inyo trailheads). Perhaps contact a different packer.

[mckee80]

with our three kids (ages 3, 7, and 8)

I feel like my trip will be very similar, except my friends will probably whine more

I've tried to contact Rainbow Pack station three times since October with no luck. The way it was explained to me was that legally, a pack station can operate outside of their stated territory, but they prefer to respect each other's trailheads. Maybe I can get one to do Sabrina Basin if they know the other packers are not responding.

@Flamingo - thanks for the recommendations! I'd love to get to Pioneer Basin. That is on the outer end of my range, so we'll see what guys say.