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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Apr 17, 2019 17:38:58 GMT -8
So I get that there is a ton of info on this busy Sierra loop. I've talked with a couple friends about it. Watched the YouTube videos, etc... and still I have a quick easy question. If you were not able to obtain a permit in advance from Onion Valley TH, where would the second (or 3rd) best TH to access this area from?
Thanks,
kcwins
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Apr 17, 2019 20:25:06 GMT -8
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Apr 18, 2019 11:56:37 GMT -8
Thanks for the info. Been looking this over for quite a bit. I just don't want to have to rely on a walk-up. So, Bubbs and Woods are walk up only right now as is Onion Valley. Could I technically book Golden Trout Lakes Area as an entry point as a back-up plan to access the Rae Lakes area? We plan on 6 days, so if we had to do an out and back that would be OK with us. Just seeing if that's legit or even a worst case scenario situation.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Apr 18, 2019 15:51:02 GMT -8
Thanks for the info. Been looking this over for quite a bit. I just don't want to have to rely on a walk-up. So, Bubbs and Woods are walk up only right now as is Onion Valley. Could I technically book Golden Trout Lakes Area as an entry point as a back-up plan to access the Rae Lakes area? We plan on 6 days, so if we had to do an out and back that would be OK with us. Just seeing if that's legit or even a worst case scenario situation. Well, imho, grab a Tom Harrison Mt Whitney High Country map sheet snd sketch out your own route. “Named” trails or routes are quite silly at the end of the day: it’s all gorgeous country. Maybe a Lodgepole trailhead. For myself I’d be reluctant to reserve something I didn’t actually intend to use... pushes more people into your situation. Without looking at a map Golden Trout is sorta far south for Rae Lakes? At least the Wilderness is.... If you’re especially peppy there’s Copper Creek.... www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/traildesc.htmOne advantage of Inyo (east side) is you get to go online and get a real-time reservation for open dates that remain. Though even otherwise some of their quotas are huge (the two Cottonwoods out of Horseshoe Meadows is forty per day, so hitting the Lone Pine visitors center and talking with s ranger would get you on trail for sure.) ETA: If you went out of Lodgepole you could go over Colby and loop back via Kaweah Gap and Precipice Lake etc. the in park shuttle would get you back from Crescent Meadows or return over Alta... or.... |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Apr 18, 2019 18:26:39 GMT -8
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Apr 20, 2019 3:38:47 GMT -8
Yeah, I've checked all the NPS websites for reservations. Everything for both the North Lake South Lake loop as well as the Rae Lakes area are walk-up only. Yes I know I could create my own route, but the fellas that will be accompanying me on this one really hope to explore one of these two areas (I know they are the most popular in Kings Canyon). So I'm looking at all angles. We have 8 days/7 nights if nessacary, but hope to keep it to 6/5.
I'll continue to scour the web.
Thanks
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Apr 21, 2019 12:29:44 GMT -8
Then your best bet for this year, other than in the Fall (and September is glorious up there, AND there are reservations available), is walkups from the Bishop station. Maybe spread the odds by including Piute Pass. All the east side trailheads are Inyo National Forest not NPS fwiw.
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Sept 24, 2019 15:29:45 GMT -8
So we got a walk-up for Onion Valley. Over Kearsarge Pass to Charlotte Lake. Night 2 at Aarowhead Lake. Night 3 at Middle Paradise Valley. Night 4 a few miles east of Spinx Creek. Night 5 at Kearsarge Lakes. Then back over Kearsarge Pass to the Onion Valley TH. Trip report to follow.
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Sept 24, 2019 16:38:49 GMT -8
I really like North Lake to South Lake, but the only time I went over Kearsarge I liked that week also. Looking forward to the report.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Sept 25, 2019 11:15:19 GMT -8
Too bad you didn't spend nights 3 & 4 at Rae Lakes. Next time.
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Sept 25, 2019 11:44:34 GMT -8
You're only allowed to stay 1 night at Rae Lake. It was too busy there for me anyway. Loved Aarowhead Lake.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Sept 25, 2019 19:27:00 GMT -8
ou're only allowed to stay 1 night at Rae Lake. There are 3 Rae Lakes, Arrowhead, and 60 Lakes Basin. I thought it kinda strange that you felt the need to do the long slogs down Paradise Valley and Bubbs Creek when you started at the good place. But it's all good times in the mountains. |
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speacock
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Post by speacock on Nov 18, 2019 15:45:57 GMT -8
For future reference, a few more trail accesses in the area:
Cottonwood Lakes and New Army Pass from Horseshoe Meadows east of Lone Pine. Over the pass to meet up with the Pacific Crest Trail and follow it until you hit the Rae Lakes. Exit over Kearsarge to the second car.
A tougher but shorter strenuous route is over Shepherd Pass down to the JMT exit over Kearsarge to a thumb ride to bottom of hill then walk to the car parked on Symmes Creek.
It all depends upon how dedicated you are to getting to Rae Lakes.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Nov 20, 2019 7:52:52 GMT -8
It all depends upon how dedicated you are to getting to Rae Lakes. The really dedicated do the steep bushwhack over Baxter Pass - takes you right there. Cottonwood Lakes and New Army Pass from Horseshoe Meadows east of Lone Pine. Over the pass to meet up with the Pacific Crest Trail and follow it until you hit the Rae Lakes. Rae Lakes would be day 5 for most people. |
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