June/July in SEKI

[bryanalban]

Planning a trip to SEKI for the end of June, beginning of July.

Was wondering which destination would be less "crowded"? Don't want to hike into the beautiful backcountry, and have 50 other people aorund.

Considering Ranger and Beville Lakes, or Roaring River (Deadman Cyn).

Which of these 2 would provide the most solitude?

Thanks.

[oldranger]

Beville and Ranger are closer in so get more traffic than Deadman. Is fishing an important part of your trip? Do you do x-country? The Sugaroaf tribs are pretty nice though W. fork Ferguson is mosquito heaven, even in a dry year in late june.

Mike

[bryanalban]

Beville and Ranger are closer in so get more traffic than Deadman. Is fishing an important part of your trip? Do you do x-country? The Sugaroaf tribs are pretty nice though W. fork Ferguson is mosquito heaven, even in a dry year in late june.

Mike

Thanks Mike,

Not going to fish at all, and the group doesn't want to do X-country stuff.

Do you mean Sugarloaf tributaries (as in creeks, streams)?

I'm assuming you mean the West Fork Ferguson Creek being mosquito heaven, does that extend to Roaring River, and Deadman Cyn./ Cloud Cyn.?

I'm kinda new to backpacking, so thanks for the help.

[oldranger]

I mean the stream canyons dropping into Sugarloaf Creek from the S. Right around my old Roaring River Ranger Station mosquitos are around in the evening a little but not bad. I always told visitors I had the place sprayed to kill mosquitos (not true but seemed plausible given so few mosquitos compared to other areas). How long are you planning on your trip? RR Ranger Station is 14 miles in from the Sunset Meadow trailhead and it is a long dusty trip through Sugarloaf valley for a short trip.

In late June early July there will be mosquitos most everywhere.

Mike

[bryanalban]

Planning on taking 2 days to hike to Roaring River. Then a couple of layover days to explore Deadman Cyn. and Cloud Cyn. Then hiking out.

So the mosquitos are not as bad at Roaring River as elsewhere, that's good to hear.

What type of temps can we expect the last week of June?

Also would it matter if we went a week earlier (3rd week of June) in terms of temps and/or mosquitos.

Thanks again for you advice.

[oldranger]

I can't predict the weather but from Memorial Day thru September the norm is nice weather. I always expect one week of thunderstorms sometime during the summer and an occasional isolated storm. Going earlier will not reduce the mosquito count.

Mike

[maverick]

Cement Table and Big Wet Meadow can get pretty bag when it comes
skeetrz.
Seville, Sheep Camp, and Lost Lakes are prettier IMO than Beville or
Ranger Lake.
Lost Lake to me is one of the prettiest lakes on the western side of the
Sierra in SEKI with a trail to it!
Since your new to backpacking all these places with the exception of
Sheep Camp Lakes has bear boxes and not all that much traffic in early
season.
Start from Sunset Meadow and its an easy hike to Seville Lake.
Roaring River is allright but you have to get up to Ranger meadow in
Deadman Canyon and up past Big Wet Meadow or even better Colby
Lake to get some outstanding views! This may or may not be possible
depending on the conditions.
Since your not into cross-country ascending Brewer, Cunningham, and
Table Creeks are out though they open up some areas to some beautiful
cross-country possiblities though again this may be to early in the year
(June).
Ascending the South, East or West Fork of Sugarloaf Creek or even
Ferguson Creek IMO are not routes to be taken by anyone with no
backpacking(cross-country)experience.

[oldranger]

bryanalban

I agree with everything maverick said about the area.

mike

[bryanalban]

Thanks for the info. I had my mind set on Roaring River. From the guide book it seemed like a good destination. With a couple of "layover" days there, I thought it would be some good day hikes into Deadman and Cloud Canyons.

Maybe I'll take a look at Lost Lake also.

Another reasoned I was leaning toward Roaring River was because it is farther away from the trailhead, and I thought this would mean less people.

What type of temps can I expect in the last week of June at Roaring River (or Lost Lake)?

Thanks again for all the helpful info.