Mokelumne- Summit City Creek question, or the Eastside?

[Harlen]

Looking at the map, I'm wondering if starting at the north end of Silver Lake, I can make a nice circle from the top of Summit City Creek, across the big saddle due west of Blue Lake, around to Granite Lake, west to Grouse Lake... and then the big question: back down 2,000' to S.C.Creek? The most likely looking route is to use Grouse Creek down, but I wonder what that slope will look like right now. Thinking of going in soon, to use the new snow, and nice weather. Any ideas about that route? It would be much easier to just hike/snow shoe back down S.C. Creek.

Secondly, any hope of fishing in either of those lakes now? Tahoe Jeff, anyone?

The second option is to drive forever around to the eastside, and hike up to Sawmill Pass, and around to Taboose Creek, and back to Sawmill TH by stashed bicycle. That's a beautiful, colorful big area, but an 8 hour drive, and Bearzy would have to stay on the east side of the divide, and meet me at Taboose Creek Pass.

[balzaccom]

I have done a ton of trail work and hiking around there. Grouse Lake to Summit City Canyon is a very tough down climb. I don't think I would try it. A loop might get you from Blue Lake or Fourth of July Lake down into Summit City Canyon, then down the Mokelumne Canyon to Camp Irene, where you can catch the Munson Meadow trail back to Silver Lake. But that lower section up from Camp Irene is also a real bushwhack. There used to be a trail there, and we've cleared the upper part of it. But the lower part is still pretty darn rough. Lots of granite shelves and cliffs, and clouds of manzanita in between. The trail goes through the buckbrush, gamble oak, and manzanita.

And the crossing of Summit City Creek this time of year, which you have to do, might be exciting, to say the least. In late summer it's a piece of cake.

Still, that route has been done...with minimal scratches and torn clothing. And later in the year.

[TahoeJeff]

You're going to have to wait a while:

Alpine County Road Conditions as of April 26, 2021
This information is updated as changes occur.

County Roads CLOSED as of April 26, 2021

Blue Lakes Road (Gates 2, 3, & 4)

[balzaccom]

Note that the OP was talking about starting at Silver Lake, which is off Highway 88--and below Kirkwood. Presumably that road is open to Kirkwood. He was going to hike to Blue Lakes, not drive there.

[Wandering Daisy]

Taboose is much more scenic - worth the drive, but there apparently is little snow until you get near the pass. Not sure if you are specifically looking for snow or simply would deal with it if needed.

Years ago I dropped down to Summit City Creek from Carson? Pass; snow up top, and a little at 4th July Lake then spotty down to Summit City Creek. The problem was that lower down I could not cross the creek because it was roaring. So you need to consider crossings. I went back up creek and came out via PCT.

I have also dropped down from Bebee Lake. Cannot recall exactly where I started on Hwy88. But it was not very scenic and kind of miserable. Trails shown on the map were overgrown.

If I were to go in the west side this time of year for some skiing, I would go up to Kennedy Meadows (Sonora Pass Road is open to here) and go up to Kennedy Lake. From there you can go on up to the saddle below Big Sam. Not sure you could safely get over Big Sam, but if you could, then down over Brown Bear Pass and back. Or just go in to Emigrant Lake, via Relief Reservoir, Lunch Meadow, Mosquito Pass. There are bridges across the main river and the trails are big pack trails which should make nice ski paths. Really spectacular scenery too. I did two trips there end of June 2019 (high snow year)- you may want to look up the trip reports.

[TahoeJeff]

hike to Blue Lakes

If he's going to hike, he'll still need to wait awhile.
The Sentinel image from 4/20 shows he better bring his skis:

[Harlen]

Thanks for the quick replies. I hadn't begun to think about spring river crossings, and with Bearzy along, that is a scary proposition. If we couldn't make it across Summit City "River," then what? Back up 2,000 feet on that Grouse Creek slope?!

I am constrained by a friend's crazy 50th Birthday plan to hike a marathon (the 26+ mile version) through the Santa Cruz Mountains with friends. This fun begins at 6 AM May 1st. So my trips needs to end on Friday, including getting home. I am always pulled toward the Eastern Sierra, but Sawmill to Taboose would be a forced march. Instead, I think I'll go up Taboose, and do some day trips/climbs around Bench Lake or the Upper Basin area below Split Mountain-- climb Split Mtn, or Arrow Pk?

The weather sure looks fine, and there's a nearly full moon for night traveling. Thanks again for the replies, Ian.

[balzaccom]

hike to Blue Lakes

If he's going to hike, he'll still need to wait awhile.
The Sentinel image from 4/20 shows he better bring his skis:

He does mention taking advantage of the new snow in his original post. That sounds like he is planning to use his skis.

[Harlen]

TahoeJeff and Paul,

Thanks again for contributing ideas; I did end up going up and over Taboose Creek last Wednesday. A lot of driving for just three days and nights in, but it seemed well worth it. The views out into that magic land from Mt. Ickes and Arrow Peak, north to the Palisades was spectacular in snow. And I even got to see a bear again on my way out on Friday.
BTW, Lizzie and I both made our friend's marathon hike in our local range, the day after pounding down from Taboose for me.

[balzaccom]

Cool! Got any photos?