Re: Best 3 night out + back backpacking trip
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 12:01 pm
There have been some nice choices suggested, and I'll add on a few more:
A. West side entry.
1. You have some nice options with good views in western Ansel Adams Wilderness (accessed from Highway 41). Options include hikes that head out trailheads such as Fernandez or Norris to destinations such as Lillian Lake, Rutherford Lake, etc. There are many possible combinations and the per-day hiking distances can be adjusted to your taste.
2. There are some nice options out trailheads in the Wishon and Courtright Lake areas (accessible from Hwy 168). Such trips can include destinations in Woodchuck Country, and reach into more distant territory (with a 4-day, 3 night trip) including Blackcap Basin, Red Mtb Basin, or Bench Valley.
3. Lake Edison (accessed from Hwy 168)over Goodale Pass to Lake of the Lone Indian, Wilbur May Lake etc.
3b.Using Lake Edison ferry, over Silver Lake Pass to the same as above (better in my opinion) or
3c. Using Lake Edison ferry various trip routes up Mono Creek and various forks or side drainages: alternatives include i. the N Fork with Mott Lake, Rosy Finch Lake etc., ii,. Laurel Creek and Grinnell Lake, iii. Pioneer Basin.
The rationale for various west-side entries is that the wilderness permits tend to be easier to get (ie the quotas don't fill as fast).
B. East side entry. Whereas the suggestions so far have been focused on Thousand Island Lake and vicinity which is certainly a gorgeous area, there are other places that might be interesting for you for a 4-day trip, including: (i) various options out of Virginia lake (out of Bridgeport) that can take you into parts of northern Yosemite. (ii) going out of Mammoth over Duck Pass to destinations in the Fish Creek drainage. (iii) going over Mc Gee Pass out of Mc Gee Creek. (iv) North Lake (Bishop Creek) into Humphreys Basin and environs.
A. West side entry.
1. You have some nice options with good views in western Ansel Adams Wilderness (accessed from Highway 41). Options include hikes that head out trailheads such as Fernandez or Norris to destinations such as Lillian Lake, Rutherford Lake, etc. There are many possible combinations and the per-day hiking distances can be adjusted to your taste.
2. There are some nice options out trailheads in the Wishon and Courtright Lake areas (accessible from Hwy 168). Such trips can include destinations in Woodchuck Country, and reach into more distant territory (with a 4-day, 3 night trip) including Blackcap Basin, Red Mtb Basin, or Bench Valley.
3. Lake Edison (accessed from Hwy 168)over Goodale Pass to Lake of the Lone Indian, Wilbur May Lake etc.
3b.Using Lake Edison ferry, over Silver Lake Pass to the same as above (better in my opinion) or
3c. Using Lake Edison ferry various trip routes up Mono Creek and various forks or side drainages: alternatives include i. the N Fork with Mott Lake, Rosy Finch Lake etc., ii,. Laurel Creek and Grinnell Lake, iii. Pioneer Basin.
The rationale for various west-side entries is that the wilderness permits tend to be easier to get (ie the quotas don't fill as fast).
B. East side entry. Whereas the suggestions so far have been focused on Thousand Island Lake and vicinity which is certainly a gorgeous area, there are other places that might be interesting for you for a 4-day trip, including: (i) various options out of Virginia lake (out of Bridgeport) that can take you into parts of northern Yosemite. (ii) going out of Mammoth over Duck Pass to destinations in the Fish Creek drainage. (iii) going over Mc Gee Pass out of Mc Gee Creek. (iv) North Lake (Bishop Creek) into Humphreys Basin and environs.