High Sierra Topix

Hi HST, I'm the guy who's been posting about backpacker meetups in Berkeley - they're going swimmingly, and we're up to nearly 75 folks on our Discord. We're also starting to host group hikes most weekends to help folks make more Sierra backpacking friends - we'll be doing 15 miles and 3,600' of climbing on Mt. Tam on the 19th, all and sundry from HST are welcome to join! Here's a link to that event.

I'm posting here with a request for a Sierra backcountry meetup spot in August for this group and anyone from HST who wants to join. My idea is that folks can wander in and out as they see fit, hang out, day hike, chill, etc. Here are my criteria:

- ideally south of Yosemite;

- at swimmable lake;

- has a significant amount of tree cover for shade;

- has enough campsites for 10-15 folks, ideally in said shade;

- has fun places to explore as day hikes in the area - basins, peaks, etc.;

- is accessible from a less-popular trailhead that still has a decent amount of permits available, or maybe several such trailheads;

- said trailhead is easily accessible by 2WD cars - the road there is entirely paved, or if not, is decent dirt, e.g., Crabtree;

- is no more than 10-15 miles and 3,000' of climbing or so from said trailhead - basically, a push most people could do in a day; and

- is ideally not popular / crowded - I know we'll make it thus, but we'll only be there 2-3 days, and I'm big on LNT - no campfires, no trash, no TP, no music, etc.

I'm OK with a reasonable amount of off-trail travel, assuming it's Class 2 or less in terms of fall exposure.

Thanks so much!

What ideas have you come up with, so far?

Nothing so far. I'm happy to figure it out on my own if HST isn't the place to ask, but I'm trying to avoid the burnout associated with leading a group so I thought I'd see if you guys have any ideas first. Thanks!

Consider Rutherford lake, out the Sierra NF TH's Norris and Jackass, etc. I think that hits all your criteria. Not a ton of shade perhaps, but enough.

Sounds like you are describing the Cliff Lakes trailhead that takes you into the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness. 20 permits per day. 12 six month and 8 two weeks permits. Paved road to the trailhead. I have not done this hike but it is on my list of hikes I want to do.

bald tires wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 7:26 am Sounds like you are describing the Cliff Lakes trailhead that takes you into the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness. 20 permits per day. 12 six month and 8 two weeks permits. Paved road to the trailhead. I have not done this hike but it is on my list of hikes I want to do.

Great ideas on the 2WD accessibility and permit fronts, but I think I'm looking for a specific lake recommendation from someone who's actually been there. Appreciate it though!

No offense, but I'd never advertise such a place on internet. Fifteen people?

Posts stay up for longer than you'll be there. As will the geotagged Instagram photos and AllTrails tracks of the dozen people going.

Seen it happen far too many times at this point.

Schleppy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 1:29 pm No offense, but I'd never advertise such a place on internet. Fifteen people?

Posts stay up for longer than you'll be there. As will the geotagged Instagram photos and AllTrails tracks of the dozen people going.

Seen it happen far too many times at this point.

I'm trying to build community here. If the traffic on HST is any indication, that's sorely needed. If all you've got to offer is negative nancy gatekeeping, I'm not interested.

Dinkey Lakes: Island Lake and some of the lower lakes could also accommodate your group.

If the traffic on HST is any indication, that's sorely needed.

This is still a downtime; many folks will start returning in the next month or two. Some folks I know are worried about whether parks will be open and whether they can afford to get out.

John_K_Say_Hey wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 1:54 pm I'm trying to build community here. If the traffic on HST is any indication, that's sorely needed. If all you've got to offer is negative nancy gatekeeping, I'm not interested.

You asked for explicit directions to an uncrowded, under-the-radar alpine lake so that you can bring a crowd of 15 people to it.

A crowd that in all likelihood will go on to bring more attention to this place, further making it less likely that this uncrowded place stays uncrowded.

I'm saying "no thanks." While I don't bemoan people sharing their experiences and helping others, your specific ask falls outside the spectrum of what I'm comfortable with.

Others can disagree. I just hope they consider the implications of indulging your specific request.

Equating web traffic with community is one thing (debatable), but literal traffic in the back country means something else all together. Declining to draw you a map with gps coordinates is not the same as denying you access. That definition of gatekeeping sets an extremely low bar. Access to information is in no short supply.

This blog post generally reflects my feelings: https://pmags.com/thoughts-on-gatekeeping