End of May trip Advice

[swimjam]

My hikes were from the north, hwy 4, from Lake Alpine/ Ebbetts pass. You can hike down to the headwaters of the stanislaus before getting to burned sections. The burn is pretty old now and the trail south of the Stan River may still be choked with trees.
I'm recommending coming from the south, hwy 108, because I THINK you're more likely to get to the Dardanelles from that direction. But I don't know for sure, sorry.
I've also hiked down to Spicer Meadow reservoir and that was pretty with wide open vista's.
The sword lake (above Spicer) is popular with backpackers and day hikers.
The Clark fork is also pretty awesome to visit.