High Sierra Topix

What level of backpacking experience do you have?
Level 3- Numerous backpacking trips, some x-country travel

What terrain are you comfortable/uncomfortable with?
- Easy Class 3 terrain/pass/x-country

What is your main interest?
- Tehipite Valley!

When is your trip?
- July - September (flexible)

How many days/nights is your trip, not including travel to trailhead?
- No more than 8 days

Hey All,
It’s that time of year again when I’m planning my next big Sierra backpacking trip. I’ve had my eye on tehipite valley for multiple years, and I would love for this year to be the year I finally make it happen. Looking at most recent trip reports it seems trails into the valley either from the east or west have not been maintained in years. Reports discuss lots of downed trees, disappearing trails, ect. I would still like to give it a shot as I doubt any maintenance will occur on those trails in the next few years, especially considering recent funding cuts for land management agencies. I am hoping some of you may be able to help me answer the questions below, as this community is the most hardcore group of Sierra backpackers on the internet!

Has anyone been to Tehipite Valley last season? What were the conditions like? From which direction did you get there?

What are the conditions typically like (water crossings, temps, bugs ect) in July vs later in the season?

I am considering entering TV from the east to avoid the steep drop from rancheria trailhead. Anyone had experience with accessing TV from Bishop pass?

Thank you

Where you're driving from and when you're going would decide it for me. If I lived in Reno, I certainly wouldn't drive around to the West side, for example.

Rancheria/Crown/Spanish will be a better shoulder season choice. But it's lower, a lot of forest walking. Bishop Pass has much better scenery on the way, but could be a challenge early & late season. Copper Creek wouldn't be a horrible start either, if you want to see some new terrain.

Even though it is right outside of your September limit, you might consider this: viewtopic.php?t=23973
Also, use the search feature in the Trip Report section to view some reports from TV.

Here is one from last year: viewtopic.php?p=186428&hilit=R04+R01+Te ... ey#p186428

Thank you both for your responses, I will make sure to check out those trip reports. Currently considering doing a North to South lake loop + TV and blackcap basin, I will certainly be posting a trip report if I pull this off.

I went up the Crown Valley trail last weekend, and gave it up after a couple of hours. Since the last fire, or fires, there does not seem to have been any effort to clear the trail. It's in terrible condition, blocked by tree trunks or decomposing debris such as bark and branches. In some spots the obstacles have apparently been in place for several years and informal detours have been established; in others the trail is only by dint of much effort barely recognizable as a trail. This used to be an easily followed route towards the area you're trying to get to, but it isn't anymore.

I must say that’s a little sad to hear. Sounds like it might be best to try to get in from the east side, thanks for the info

I should clarify that last month I started from what recreation.gov calls the "Statum/Spanish" trailhead, J51, and at the signed junction about 1/2 hour from the road I went left. That was the trail that became so frustrating so quickly. I've seen reports that the "Crown/Rancheria" trail J52 is in better condition. As far as I could tell, I did not go as far as the connector shown on the Tom Harrison map that heads north, crosses Little Rancheria Creek, and meets the "Crown/Rancheria" trail.

If you approach Tehipite from the east (Bishop Pass or Copper Creek), there is no longer a bridge downstream from Simpson Mdw. Crossing the MFK is going to be scary/dangerous at any volume above 500cfs. Check the gauge at Rogers Crossing on the KIngs River (Combined MFK and SFK) and multiply by 0.7 for the approximate MFK flow. If safe, you would have to cross well upstream of the old bridge location at Simpson Mdw just downstream from the confluence with Goddard Creek where the river widens out in spots.