High Sierra Backpack: Little Lakes Valley on the morningside of the Sierra.
August 28-31, 2014
4 Days/3 Nights
Cost 650.
This trip tends to sell out early. To avoid disappointment, sign up early (like by February).
About the Trip
Only once a year do we do a special 4-day trip planned with the hearty high altitude adventurer in mind - those who want to adventure beyond the user-friendly wilderness of Yosemite to the land of the True High Sierra. While the mileages per day will not appear challenging, the altitude will compensate. And, as with all our trips, it is more important to BE in the place than simply hike through it, allowing time to move through the wilderness as it moves through us. This year: Explore Little Lakes Valley with us as we emerse ourselves in some of the most sublime scenery in the Sierra. Google "Little Lakes Valley" images for a preview.
While this is a high altitude trip, it is still a beginner trip and you'll learn the basics of backpacking and navigation while enjoying the beauty of the High Sierra.
Trip Details:
August 28-31, 2014
A one-night car camping and 3-day, 2-night backpacking trip in the Inyo National Forest.
Day 1: Meet 5 pm the at East Fork Campground for gear check, orientation, instruction with regard to LNT, encountering stock on the trail, disposal of waste, emergency protocol, guide and client goals and expectations, and comprehensive trip itinerary. Dinner and sleeping.
Day 2: After breakfast, pack up, distribute group gear and group food, and drive in our own vehicles to Pine Creek Trailhead to leave half our vehicles there. Drive the other half of the vehicles to the Mosquito Flat Trailhead where we'll start our 4 mile hike to camp at Gem Lake. There we'll have time for exploring & swimming. Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks and Dinner included.
Day 3: With only our daypacks we'll explore the other lakes in the basin: Box, Long and Chickenfoot, and Treasure Lakes, and possibly bag a near-by peak before moving camp to Lower Morgan Lake. Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks and Dinner included.
Day 4: Break camp and hike down to the Pine Creek Trailhead (5 miles). We'll load into the cars parked at our exit trailhead and transport over to the cars parked at the Mosquito Flat Trailhead where we'll have our Sierra Spirit signature closing ceremony. We plan on arriving at our cars by 5 pm. Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks included. Trip Ends: around 5 pm Sun. August 31.
Meeting Place: 5 pm Thursday August 28 at East Fork Campground west of Tom's Place on Rock Creek Road in inyo National Forest.
Directions: From Mammoth Lakes go south on US 395 for approximately 13 miles. Take the Tom's Place exit and follow Forest Service Highway 12 (Rock Creek Road) west for about five miles. From Bishop go north on US 395 for about 30 miles. Take the Tom's Place exit and follow Forest Service Highway 12 (Rock Creek Road) west for about five miles. The campground will be on the left.
Rated Moderate: Trail hiking 4-5 miles daily with elevation gain and/or loss of 1000'-1500' at altitude while carrying a backpack. While this is a beginning backpack trip, we will be hiking at high altitude, up to 11,000 feet. Daily mileage will be 3-5 miles on trail with and without a 35 lb. backpack. Ideally, you would have had experience at altitude to know how your body may react but this trip is a good, safe way to discover how your body does react to altitude.
Register: Contact Karen at 925-229-8133 or email her at sierramaclure@sbcglobal.net for queeries or to request trip registration materials. Limited to 10 participants and 3 guides.
Make note: Some guests find it advantageous to arrive a day or 2 early to accommodate jet lag and high altitude acclimation. Parson's Resort at South Lake is a good high altitude place to stay. Camping in the area is also an option. See recreation.gov to reserve campsites in Inyo National Forest.
Recommended Airport: Las Vegas, Nevada. We recommend you rent a car and drive to our meeting place. Confirm with Sierra Spirit that the trip has reached the minimum number of hikers before you book airline tickets.
GEAR: see the Client Info. Tab above. Feel free to give me a call at 925-699-6953 should you have any questions regarding the gear list.
"In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."
'Holder' operates under a permit from the Inyo National Forest.
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