High Sierra Topix

I leave with my daughter for my first trip to Pioneer Basin on Monday. A few questions:
1) Is Summit Lake a reliable water source? During the drought, am trying to figure out how much water to carry in on the first day.
2) We won't make it into Pioneer Basin on the first day. On a hot, dry day where would you camp the first night in? Should I head down to Mono Creek for a shady camp?
3) From what I have read here, lake 10862 seems to be the premier camping destination. But is there any cover up in Pioneer Basin? I worry about a trip that is 10-15 degrees hotter than normal.
4) On a day hike, would you prioritize Hopkins Creek or Third Recess to explore?
5) Is there good access to Golden Lake from both the inlet and outlet ends, and how easy is it to get around it? the Map Builder Overlay on CalTopo only shows an access trail coming up the outlet.

1. Yes
2. Trail Lakes has a few sites. Fourth Recess is a better option, with a view of the cascade
3. There are some smaller trees in Pioneer Basin. Beware of T-Storms, though.
4. Don't know
5. Easy access to the outlet along the trail that follows the outlet creek. I have not hiked down from above.
6. Have fun

4. I haven't hiked Hopkins Creek but I really enjoyed 3rd Recess Lake. Not a lot to see but it was very pretty and a little larger trout. It also seemed remote and less traveled.

Re: #5

There is access from above Golden Lake and I recommend it as a good stop-over on your way in or out. One caveat: you'd have to be comfortable travelling across some talus along the lake's western shore. I've attached a quick and dirty image based on memory.

If you are coming from above, just follow the gradual drainage toward the lake. You should be able to find a use trail as you come over a change in slope that leads down to the lake. The use trail has two routes: high and low. The high route will take you up above the lake on the western shore, avoiding most (but not all) of the talus. If you break to the east, another use trail will take you down the the inlet and on the eastern side of the outlet is a campsite with decent cover. Plus, a nice beach where you can take a dip.

If you decide to camp, the route along the shore to the outlet will require some talus hopping. From there, the established trail is easy to follow down to the main trial into Pioneer Basin.

I also attached a few images of the talus and view from the campsite.

Have fun!

Was at Golden Lake this weekend:

1) summit lake was low but had plenty of water to fill up in

5) we took the use trail to the inlet and it was easy to navigate from above and we climbed out the same route without issue. We camped at a similar spot as carne’s photos east of the inlet. From below it looked like the use trail to the outlet (high route Carne mentions) could have been washed out by rocks in the middle but did not explore.

We backpacked Pioneer Basin about 3 weeks ago. You can find the trip report, (I am not sure how to find and paste a link) with lots of pictures.
Summit has water but I would just hang on and fill at Trail Lake. Trail Lake and lovely camp sites and we really enjoyed the one we found. First Lake of the Pioneer Basin has very sheltered campsites in the trees South of the lake. You can get water fro camp from the creek running alongside. We cross country day hiked to all of the higher lakes of the Pioneer Basin and it was delightful! There are something like 8-10 lakes in there and there are fantastic views of 4th and third recesses. If you camp at the higher lakes, you will not be well sheltered as the trees are small and sparse.
Have fun!

this one? viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21649&p=166030&hili ... in#p166030

If you're comfortable with x-ctry and a little bit of easy C3, going over Half Moon Pass on the first day is reasonable and it drops you right down to Golden Lake for a great first night's campsite.

I'd be hesitant with kids if they hadn't done something like that before though, myself.

rlown wrote: ↑Thu Jul 15, 2021 8:23 am this one? viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21649&p=166030&hili ... in#p166030

Yup, that was us!