High Sierra Topix

Thanks, AlmostThere and Grampy. I am a bit worried about Rae Lake's congestion, but am hoping to get a bit off the main trail. I'm curious to see how and why Rae lakes is especially beautiful. And Grampy, please do post a TR!

adornowest wrote: ↑Thu Jun 20, 2019 5:19 pm Thanks, AlmostThere and Grampy. I am a bit worried about Rae Lake's congestion, but am hoping to get a bit off the main trail. I'm curious to see how and why Rae lakes is especially beautiful. And Grampy, please do post a TR!

It's as beautiful as many places in the Sierra. It's just more famous than the other many places. I'm sure fanatics will say otherwise, but there are a LOT of gorgeous lakes out there without pesky habituated bears that don't run from you any more.

If Rae Lakes trails are congested, then duck over to the Sixty Lake Basin.

You might find this trip report (not my report) interesting for a trip to Miter Basin
https://backcountrypost.com/threads/fou ... ierra.7981

I found Rae Lakes to be very beautiful and very crowded. I'm not sure I would try for a walk-up permit if you already have a permit that would get you to Miter Basin

I think people's obsession with Rae Lakes comes from the fact that you can do it as a pretty easy entry-level loop, that loop has a name, and people love loops. I don't find the basin itself to be much more magical than any other area in the Sierra---it just happened to get famous. This year is not a good year for it, though, with the bridge being out and the water being so high. I'd stay away until the bridge is rebuilt, especially since there are tons of other areas in the Sierra that you haven't explored.

Another spot to consider is Dusy Basin from the South Lake trailhead near Bishop. Spectacular scenery and easy cross country. You could head up over Knapsack pass to Palisade basin then connect down to the JMT to loop back. It's a farther drive than Miter via Cottonwood though.

If you want a more "famous" route, you could do North Lake to South Lake. I guess technically that starts in JM Wilderness, not SeKi, but a lot of it is in SeKi. Spectacular scenery, plus you get to see the hut at Muir Pass.

I'm actually heading to Miter basin for Labor Day, so I'm looking forward to all these mentions of trip reports!

Rae loop also starts from the west side, which all the San Francisco & Fresno people have a much easier time getting to. If you're from San Diego, you have no excuse, the east side is closer.

Plus Rae starts inside the National Park, which surely must hold better scenery than some random place in a national forest (it does not).

I do not consider the Dusy-Knapsack-JMT loop "easy" cross country, particularly this year there will be lingering steep snow. To connect with the JMT at Palisade Lake, you still have to go over Cirque Pass, which has a tricky descent route.

Nor do I consider North-South Lake via Lemark Col "easy", but it is easier than Dusy-Kanpsack-JMT. The North to South Lake loop that goes over Piute Pass is longer but all trail.

Both are harder than the Rae Lake loop.

Wandering Daisy wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 8:15 pm I do not consider the Dusy-Knapsack-JMT loop "easy" cross country, particularly this year there will be lingering steep snow. To connect with the JMT at Palisade Lake, you still have to go over Cirque Pass, which has a tricky descent route.

Exploring Dusy basin is definitely easy, but yeah the loop could be hard with snow. OP wanted 3 to 6 days, which 3 days just staying in Dusy is a nice trip, don't even have to go up any passes.

Wandering Daisy wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 8:15 pm Nor do I consider North-South Lake via Lemark Col "easy", but it is easier than Dusy-Kanpsack-JMT. The North to South Lake loop that goes over Piute Pass is longer but all trail.

I didn't suggest going via Lamarck.

Wandering Daisy wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 8:15 pm Nor do I consider North-South Lake via Lemark Col "easy", but it is easier than Dusy-Kanpsack-JMT. The North to South Lake loop that goes over Piute Pass is longer but all trail.

WD, I've seen several instances of you referencing Lamarck Col as Lemark Col. Is that a historical variation or a personal preference? Just curious.

I have no preference, I simply cannot spell worth beans!