High Sierra Topix

Hello,

I'm going to be hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail next week and would like to get in some off-trail/cross country hiking for practice. Does anyone have any suggestions? The practice would be for things like the SHR, SoSHR, Kings Canyon Basin High Route, Wind River High Route, etc.
I was thinking in Desolation Wilderness, and the following is what I could find:

• Highland Lake
  Waca Lake
  McConnel Lake Loop
  Horsetail Falls

Any other suggestions? Which would you choose and why?

Thanks,
PostJMT

Sorry if this bursts your bubble, but a short 1-2 night off-trail hike in Desolation will not give you the experience optimum for the other major off-trail routes you cite. Better to build up, with trips of increasing length of off-trail travel and then do several Sierra Class 2 and Class 3 passes so you get a good feel what these mean. In fact, I did small pieces of the SHR over a 10 year period before I did the entire route. Not that people do not do SHR "cold" without off-trail experience, but you will enjoy it much more with more experience. It is not just being able to get over the terrain, but developing the judgement to know your limits and when conditions can become dangerous. The best way to get this is to find someone who is experienced to "mentor" you. But you can also do it yourself, solo, if you do not jump in head first but work up in difficulties.

The only Desolation trip you cited that I would be reluctant to do is Horsetail Falls, until you gain experience. There are objective dangers on the Horsetail Falls route that are better done when you feel more solid with your off-trail skills. Another good Desolation loop to practice navigation is Lake Schmidel-Rubicon-4Q Lakes-Horseshoe Lake-Lake Schmidel, with side trips to several nearby lakes. Even thought the map shows a "trail" it is not much of one.

The outlet from Fontanilis cascades down a pluton, then through forest and into Upper Velma. It is a nice Class 2 stroll down the pluton and then Class 1 through the forest until you reach the trail by Upper Velma. One of the easiest XC sections I can think of.

Decades ago there used to be a maintained trail from Lake Genevieve almost due west to the PCT (via part of General Creek Trail). The trail is long abandoned, though there is still a wood trail marker at Genevieve. The trail is pretty much indiscernible now, and offers a nice XC experience.

Both of these are parts of this Deso Loop Combos I have marked on this map.

Wandering Daisy, it seems like I remember a TR you did starting at a lake in west Deso going XC east a considerable distance up, over, and even perhaps along a ridge, before descending into Rockbound Valley? Could you possibly pull that up and give a link? I think it was you, but there's a small chance it was Tahoe Jeff or VaccaRuss.

Tom, I do not think it was my report. I never did that route.

Sorry, my bad.

There is also an unofficial use trail from Lilly Lake (near Glen Alpine Spring parking lot) that goes all the way to the summit of Mt. Tallac. This trail is all up and all down, with no elevation gain/loss/repeat along the way. There are places where the trail is discernible and other places where it is not. It might be a place to practice some. I have marked it in turquoise on that same map.

There is a nice cross-country route on granite slabs with some steep talus between Mosquito Pass and Twin Lakes.

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Awesome, thanks guys. I'll decide on a route tomorrow.

Can anyone suggest a route in the Crystal Range, that seems most attractive? I saw a Crystal Range Traverse, but that seems a bit ambitious. If anyone knows a more introductory route, please let me know.