High Sierra Topix

I know this is a long shot, but I am needing to make a late change of plans for a 4 day family trip. Originally we were planning on backpacking in Golden Trout Wilderness, but one family member's health is putting the kabosh on that. Now I am looking into mineral king. I have never been there, and have heard how beautiful it is. I know there are two campgrounds in the area we are interested in staying, Atwell Mill and Cold Springs. Seems like any campground, even ones as remote as mineral king, will fill up on July4th weekend. Is there any shot of driving up on Saturday July 1 and finding a campsite available for 6?

maybe if you went on Friday... it's not that large a campground.

Have you thought about just car camping at Quaking Aspen or Camp Nelson? There are car campgrounds around there as well.

Is there any shot of driving up on Saturday July 1 and finding a campsite available for 6?

Possible on Friday, if you get up their early enough, but Thursday would be a safer bet on a holiday weekend, they are first come, first served camp grounds.

Bit of a lurker here, but I was a ranger in Mineral King for three years. The campground will absolutely, positively fill on Friday (maybe Thursday, too) and for the weekend. Atwell will fill too. However, some backpackers will get a campsite when they drive up Fri night, and leave Sat morning, so if you're lucky a few sites will open up and you'll be able to snag one of them. Good luck, it's beautiful up there!

thanks for the responses. Wondering if maybe Sunday would be a safer bet, guessing some folks would leave to go back to town to work on Monday?

Never mind, I was able to get the last site available for days I wanted at Onion Valley. Thanks for the inputs all.

nice, you'll love it there, too

I thought so too. Turns out the campground is closed until July 15. I was able to make a reservation last night (last spot shown available), but got an email and call today that my reservation was cancelled, and my money refunded.

the search goes on . . .