High Sierra Topix

Hi Gang,

I will be departing from Glen Alpine TH / Lily Lake later this month. I haven't been there in ages so can't recall how tough the parking situation is. I will be getting there on a Wednesday, mid-day ish.

I also have a trip out of Meeks Bay TH in July. This is a completely new one for me. From Google Maps looks like there is a small lot and parking along the road. I will be arrive on a Thursday, mid-day ish.

Thoughts on my chances of finding a parking spot in either situation?

Thanks,
Alan

I was at Glen Alpine TH at midday on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The parking lot was full, but we pretty easily found a spot to park at a wider area of the road on the way and only had to walk a few hundred additional yards. I think you should be fine since you'll be arriving mid-week so should avoid the bulk of the day hikers.

Please be careful when driving to the Glen Alpine trailhead. The road around Fallen Leaf Lake is wide enough for one car. People walk on the road during the summer months also. It is very slow going. The Meeks Bay trailhead is easy to get to. It will fill up early, but parking outside of the parking lot is plentiful.

Thank you both!

windknot wrote: ↑Fri Jun 04, 2021 8:49 pm I was at Glen Alpine TH at midday on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The parking lot was full, but we pretty easily found a spot to park at a wider area of the road on the way and only had to walk a few hundred additional yards. I think you should be fine since you'll be arriving mid-week so should avoid the bulk of the day hikers.

paula53 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 05, 2021 5:02 pm Please be careful when driving to the Glen Alpine trailhead. The road around Fallen Leaf Lake is wide enough for one car. People walk on the road during the summer months also. It is very slow going. The Meeks Bay trailhead is easy to get to. It will fill up early, but parking outside of the parking lot is plentiful.

Glen Alpine TH is an additional 30 mins from 89 due to the condition of the road. I was just there Thursday through Saturday (2 days ago). Parking on Thursday morning at 9am was easy, but when I came out Saturday around 11am it was a zoo. Totally full and cars waiting, people walking everywhere, people parked all over the side of the road. It's a tough spot when crowded, especially driving in and out as you have to figure out how to pass oncoming vehicles.

Meeks Bay is way more mellow and yes plenty of parking along the road. Long flat walk in before you start climbing. Phipps Peak is worth the easy side detour if you're so inclined!

Got back from the Glen Alpine trip yesterday so here's an update on the parking situation. I arrived around 12:30 on Wednesday and there were already plenty of cars parked on the road. I was able to snag the very last real spot in the parking lot. When I got back around 1PM on Saturday there were loads of cars looking for spots. I did not see any places to park on the side of the road until the big bend near the falls where there is ample parking on the roadside. This is the place you can see the cabins across the canyon on the other side of the creek - think it might be part of Stanford camp?