Short east side trip info for 4/9

[Love the Sierra]

Hi my friends,
I am planning a short trip, leaving 4/9. I need something with low mileage since my pack will be heavy with snow camping gear and also plan on slogging through snow. I intend on taking crampons and snow shoes and am solid intermediate using both. However, I want to avoid steep, narrow ridges, avalanche areas, high creek crossing and any other extremely highly technical trails. I will be out 2 -3 nights and would love to be able to base camp and then day hike around for at least one of the days.
I am thinking about Flower Lake out of Onion Valley TH, Lundy Lake to Saddlebag 20 Lake basin or something out of north or South Lakes. I am not familiar with these trails and though I have studied the maps, it is so hard to really tell what the trail is like. I would be happy for any suggestions any of you have as well. (This time last year I was in Cottonwood Lakes basin and Little Lakes Basin so would like something different.) also thinking about Rush Creek to Thousand Island.
Finally, info on roads and permits would be appreciated.
THANK YOU!

[Wandering Daisy]

You will not be able to get to Saddlebag Lake if Tioga Road is not open. Check on that. It likely will not be open in Yosemite- may be open up to the gate. I think there will be lots of snow. Caltrans says Tioga Road is closed 3.5 miles west of 395 junction.

Last year (6/9-14) I went into Minarets before the road opened. Walking from the gate was not that much of a problem. It took me 1.1 hrs to walk down the road and 1.7 hours to walk back up. Did High Trail (PCT) into Thousand Island Lake. I would not come out River Trail because being in timber likely snow not melted and you have to cross the river a few places. With walking the road, I nearly got to Thousand Island Lake, stopped near Badger Lake (5 hours, 9.6 miles) because a storm came in. It is another 1.4 miles/about an hour, to Thousand Island Lake. Could day-hike to Garnet Lake and then return High Trail. Trip report below.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21619

You would be 2 months earlier so lots of snow at Thousand Island Lake, but the High Trail is up on a ridge facing the sun so may be snow-free. No snow when I did it last year. If you are willing to deal with some snow it may work for you.

4/9 is in one week. Check CDEC snow gages and FS snow depth map. What they show now would be pretty accurate for this week. May be too snowy to do Minarets in any case. Map below shows some snow on all your trip ideas. But there still is a week, and a hot week at that.

https://www.fs.fed.us/r5/webmaps/Sierra ... on=-116.85

When I look at Bishop's web cam it seems that the east slopes are fairly snow free. There is actually a lot to do and see even if you stay east of Kearsarge Pass.

What about Big Pine Creek into First, Second and Third Lake? Should be dry spots at Third Lake, north shore, up on the dirt and slabs.

Looked up today's snow depth: Rock Creek Lakes looks good. You might want to consider that. Easy hiking, very little elevation gains.

Cottonwood Lks 10150 1.6 in
Big Pine at 9800 (3000m) 17.4 in
Rock Creek Lks 9700 2.6 in
South lake 9600 10.2 in
Bishop Pass 11200 43.9 in
Devils Post Pile 7569 0.4 in

[Love the Sierra]

Thanks WD!
I would LOVE to go around the Minarets and that noire area. I haven’t been there in years and never in winter. When you say you walked from the gate, do you mean from the ski village where you usually pick up the shuttle to to Agnew Meadow or is there another gate?
I low have never been to Onion Valley so that now sounds like a good option.

[Love the Sierra]

BTW, IS hiking up Lundy Canyon to 20 lakes basin not possible now? Too much snow?

[Love the Sierra]

Thanks WD!
I would LOVE to go around the Minarets and that whole area. I haven’t been there in years and never in winter. When you say you walked from the gate, do you mean from the ski village where you usually pick up the shuttle to to Agnew Meadow or is there another gate?
I have never been to Onion Valley so that now sounds like a good option. I assume that is what you meant when you said stay East of Kearsarge?

[Wandering Daisy]

Re-reading your original post, I am not sure what your goal is. Winter camping? Backpacking with a bit of snow? What is "low mileage"?

Rarely do you need crampons and snowshoes on the same trip.

The "gate" is above the ski resort- it is where the entrance station is to Devils Postpile. Parking just north of the kiosk. Getting to Thousand Island Lake may not be what you consider low mileage. You could also just go to Shadow Lake. There is a nice bridge across the river on that trail. Shorter mileage. Not sure the no camping regulations apply in winter. Likely snow at the lake. Agnew Meadow is confusing with so many trails starting there. GPS may be helpful.

As for your Kearsarge question, just look at a map. Onion Valley is the name of the trailhead. Lots of things to do and see east of the pass. It is not a "valley". Matlock Lake is really scenic. If you are comfortable getting to the pass, it is a short drop to Kearsarge Lakes.

Again, look at a map for Lundy Lake. If one is to believe CALTRANS information, you can only drive 3.5 miles up the road from the junction to 395. Decide yourself if that will get you anywhere.

Rock Creek, if the road is open, or Big Pine (First-Second-Third Lake) may be your best bets. Big Pine would be a dirt trail walk about half-way, then snow, perhaps need snowshoes. There also is a neat little log cabin on the way in. The road should be open, again check this out.

Record hot temperatures forecast late this week.

Why only east side? SEKI is open and winter rules apply now- no permit quotas or fees (still need a permit). Pear Lake is a standard winter/spring trip and the ranger station is evidently open for use. I have never done this so call SEKI if interested.

[gary c.]

Another option if still available. They also used to maintain a tent cabin during the winter at Mosquito Flats that was available to rent during the winter. They would pick you up down the canyon with snowmobiles and take you to the lodge.

https://rockcreeklodge.com/winter/winter-lodging/

[c9h13no3]

BTW, IS hiking up Lundy Canyon to 20 lakes basin not possible now? Too much snow?

It is totally possible, but the slope is north facing and quite steep. Bring your ice axe.

Virginia Lakes Rd is open, if you want to get up high & stay on snow.

There's a pattern change coming that weekend, around the 11th of April. Possible snow, definitely wind & cold temps. Pick a conservative route.

[michaelzim]

LTS... We are looking at similar options ref. early trips well before "normal" conditions would warrant. [Bear Creek and Vee Lake, etc. also on my 2022 list, but agree that Kaiser Pass highly unlikely to be open for a while yet].

With regard to similar east side entries to you I am wanting to do a longer trip of around 5 to 7 days with a base camp. Depends on the weather patterns and snow depth as I don't have snow gear. Hence, do not want to be too far in if feel like have to bail in a hurry.
The numerous sources I have for current snow depth are a bit variable, as have USDA, CDEC, Sentinel, and other maps plus tables I am trying to glean the facts from have differing opinions. For instance...
The USDA Current Snow Depth map looks like the snow depth at Bishop Pass is 3.9 to 9.8 inches. [Pass is just north of that little tarn in center]

The CDEC Data List says almost 43 inches for yesterday...So I am "confused". If you are not, I would be happy to hear of it!

When I look at some webcams of the east side it looks like there is a lot of bare rock up in the high country so potential to not always be in snow. But then take a look at the Mammoth Mountain webcam here and you will see a pretty comprehensive cover of snow. And that is not all "manufactured" for sure in the off piste areas... https://www.mammothmountain.com/cams/mccoy-cam
[Note that camera view changes to give different takes].

My go date is anywhere from around 20th. April on, so there will be time yet to see what the melt does or any new snow arrives. To my inexperienced eye it looks like overall snow depths are less on the east side and further south, plus that Monitor Pass is currently open. Hence my interest in the 395 corridor.
My 'uber' motivation is that early season trips will be where it is at this year (barring an astounding April or May re wet weather) due to extreme flammability of vegetation already. Where I am we have had 1.25 inches of rain since Jan. 1st. this year. Last year, which was a pretty darn awful drought year, we had had 9.03 inches from Jan. 1st. by this date... Scary!

Best ~ Michaelzim

[SSSdave]

You may love the Sierra, but you do not have an understanding of its seasons and weather. The following is the latest satellite image of the Rock Creek area you mentioned. Not only is there much snow there but likewise throughout the range above 8000 feet. Additionally, April and even May storms can bring snow levels down below 7000 feet as many of we old timers can attest to from Memorial Day adventures. That is why even though some roads may be open currently due to the drought, that could change in a matter of a couple weeks.

https://apps.sentinel-hub.com/sentinel- ... Dates=true

Use the above map along with this map in order to understand what you are looking at. West side Sierra will have more to offer. Yosemite Valley (4k) or Giant Forest (6k) or Mono Lake (6.7k), or Alabama Hills are excellent car camping and hiking choices in April and May.

https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=37.4468 ... 7&z=12&b=t