2 night options from Green Creek Trailhead

[Btaim]

What are some of your favorite hikes out from here? I have a permit reserved for two nights from July 5-7, coming from the Bay Area. I have a couple of routes in mind. For the first option, I'm thinking I'll head out to Summit lake and spend two nights there which would allow me to do a day hike the second day. 3rd day I hike back the Virginia Canyon route. The map below shows this route in blue. I was thinking I could make a quick side trip up to West Lake. Maybe there's time to go as far as the Par Value Lakes?

Second option would be to hike out to West Lake the first night (which would allow time for Par Value lakes which look gorgeous), then Summit Lake the 2nd and back down on along Hoover and East lakes on the 3rd day.

I like big mountain scenery, clear (preferably turquoise) alpine lakes, wildflowers, and pretty much all the good stuff a Sierra backpacker is looking for. I'm big into photography, so early morning and sunset scenery is important. For the first option, I was looking at a day hike to Burro Lake but that looks hard from my research- too much scree (unless others have different opinions). I'm open to off-trail hiking but preferably not more than 7-8-ish miles at a time. Another day hike would be to tackle one of the many peaks in the area, but nothing more than class 2. I want to keep this trip a bit more relaxed.

Thank You!

[c9h13no3]

[float=]

Another day hike would be to tackle one of the many peaks in the area, but nothing more than class 2.

Almost everything in that vicinity except Virginia has a class 2 route up it. The rock generally is... eh. It isn’t classic Sierra granite.

I think of Green Creek as a fall destination, personally, but it'll be nice as long as the mosquitoes don't eat you.

[Wandering Daisy]

The southwest drainage from Green Lake to the little pass to Virginia Canyon used to be a bit of a bushwhack.

Both Green Lake and East Lake are very scenic. If it is warm, East Lake is up where you get more breezes. I really do not think Virginia Canyon itself has equal photo opportunities. Summit Lake is just so-so. You could have a good time camping at East Lake on Day1 and explore. Then move to West Lake and day-hike the upper lakes. I would not bother with Virginia Lake since you can more easily visit those lakes by simply day-hiking from the trailhead. The campground at Virginia Lake is very nice. Another beautiful lake that would be a bit of distance is Shepherd Lake.

[Btaim]

The southwest drainage from Green Lake to the little pass to Virginia Canyon used to be a bit of a bushwhack.

Both Green Lake and East Lake are very scenic. If it is warm, East Lake is up where you get more breezes. I really do not think Virginia Canyon itself has equal photo opportunities. Summit Lake is just so-so. You could have a good time camping at East Lake on Day1 and explore. Then move to West Lake and day-hike the upper lakes. I would not bother with Virginia Lake since you can more easily visit those lakes by simply day-hiking from the trailhead. The campground at Virginia Lake is very nice. Another beautiful lake that would be a bit of distance is Shepherd Lake.

I like your idea of maybe staying in east and west lakes and exploring around instead of going all the way to Summit Lake. Might consider that. So you don’t think Virginia canyon is worth checking out? Not the lakes, but the canyon. I believe it’s after Virginia pass.

My worst mosquito experience ever was in Hoover (near Twin Lakes). I know it sounds ridiculous that I’m going to the same area at the worst time of year for skeeters, but that weekend is the only one I have open for the summer. Is east lake breezy enough to scour the skeeters out a bit? Hopefully West lake is breezy, too.

[Btaim]

[float=]

Another day hike would be to tackle one of the many peaks in the area, but nothing more than class 2.

Almost everything in that vicinity except Virginia has a class 2 route up it. The rock generally is... eh. It isn’t classic Sierra granite.

I think of Green Creek as a fall destination, personally, but it'll be nice as long as the mosquitoes don't eat you.

Interesting you mention the rock type! I was just thinking how it’s not that beautiful granite I’m used to seeing after looking at pics of the area. The interesting geology and colorful rocks look pretty but there’s nothing like classic Sierra granite. That said, another option I was considering if I decide not to drive so far is Granite Dome off highway 108. It’s a hike I’ve been eying for a while but I can never get enough of the Eastern Sierra so I don’t know!

[c9h13no3]

That said, another option I was considering if I decide not to drive so far is Granite Dome off highway 108. It’s a hike I’ve been eying for a while but I can never get enough of the Eastern Sierra so I don’t know!

This is personal choice territory, but I liked the Granite Dome lakes. Leor Pantilat has a nice photoessay there. For a weekend trip, I’d prefer the shorter drive, less permit hassle and similarly good scenery as Green Creek.

The lakes there are all off trail, but the travel is easily kept to cl2 if I remember right. I actually wrote a trip report in the area, back when I thought people appreciated my art. I’ve seen other campers off trail there both times I’ve gone, but only one party each trip.

[SSSdave]

Last year late July.

https://www.davidsenesac.com/2024_Trip_ ... 024-9.html

For the sake of capturing better photography, an itinerary of lots of trail/route miles just to tag a list of lakes in whatever basin is unlikely to be very productive. Though fine for simply exploring. Although wind may keep mosquitoes down, it leaves lake surfaces unaesthetic early/late. In your case with set dates, you'll get whatever is served up. Be sure to understand weather forecasts so you can be ready when conditions are more ideal.

A wiser approach is to base camp within a productive, aesthetic zone, and then during poorer light hours like mid days, explore the zone to find better locations to return to when light is more ideal. Better photographs usually require finding aesthetic foregrounds and midgrounds to complement strong backgrounds. And where those locations are has little to do with being on some trail or route.

Due to topography that whole drainage tends to be windy as winds funnel west to east through the two passes. Always thought West Lake wasn't aesthetic. Dunderberg blocks early light. Unlikely to find Summit Lake zone not windy late except on some days with thunderstorms. Otherwise the East Lake zone has the better elements.

And yeah, hiking during those dates in that zone with huge marshy areas lower down near the trailhead, your skin could end up like raw hamburger if you don't prepare with the right anti-skeeter clothing/gear along with 100% DEET. There is plenty of advice on this board if searched.