High Sierra Topix

Hi,

I have done 3 days backpacking to Glen Pass, Lone Pine a few years back. For late May, any place I can do day hike, or maybe 1 night or 2 night backpacking? I am not sure how is the snow condition look like this year.

Thank you

There's still a lot of snow in the Sierra. Tioga Pass won't open until after Memorial Day. If the weather isn't too hot, why not head for the desert?

hiac wrote: ↑Sun May 26, 2024 9:07 pm For late May, any place I can do day hike, or maybe 1 night or 2 night backpacking? I am not sure how is the snow condition look like this year.

Horseshoe Meadows Road is open.

https://www.inyocounty.us/sites/default ... .10.24.pdf

Some recent photos of the Cottonwood Lakes area are here:

https://piotrowski.smugmug.com/Whats-Ne ... s-05222024

Well, NOT Death Valley- 106 forecast for Friday!

The Tuttle Creek BLM campground is a great basecamp and reasonably priced too. A hike up to the Tuttle Creek Ashram (stone house) is very scenic. Distance depends on how far you can drive towards the trailhead. The BLM campground is also on the way up to Cottonwood Lake. Alabama Hills is a great place to wander around in the evening.

Not sure if it will be open but White Mountains-Bristlecone Forest is nice.

If the Onion Valley road is open, hikes up to Matlock Lake or any of the other numerous lakes east of Kearsarge Pass.

I would second something out of Horseshow meadow, it's the only part of the high sierra that's reasonably dry. See also https://apps.sentinel-hub.com/eo-browse ... 2MAPZEN%22 for current conditions. Kearsarge pass is still pretty snowy but Big Pine Creek is dry up to the second or third lake. Could also consider something in the Domelands.

Go to the North Fork of Big Pine and day hike the lakes.

Cottonwood Lakes is a great hike. Lone Pine Lake on the Mt. Whitney Trail (no permit required to the lake and back). And one of my favorites is Alabama Hills (see pic) just outside of town. Hundreds of arches, and many trails. A book is definitely helpful for Bama.

schmalz wrote: ↑Tue May 28, 2024 9:22 am Go to the North Fork of Big Pine and day hike the lakes.

I second this. The trail seems to be nearly snow free up until Lake 3.

WowThank you so much for your help!!!