First time in the Sierra

“Heading out to the high sierra for the first time this august. Looking for suggestions about good places for a 3 or 4 night trip. I was thinking i would have to start in inyo if i was going to get a permit this late.

How is the evolution basin area? Palisades? Also looking for an easy class 2 peak to try.

Thanks!”

“You might try a similar question at http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/. It seems to me that the Left Coasters aren't spending as much time on this forum as they have in the past...”

“Point your car toward the mountains; close your eyes; go until car stops; get out and start hiking. You'll love it....”

“LOL remind to start out with Bowlderman driving in FRONT of me!”

“Follow me!”

“you close your eyes, and it'll be a short trip!”

“Hmmmm, it looks like BowlderMan drives the same way I do.”

“Oops! Almost forgot I tried this once this year already:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/1545615921037037243rVCoTB”

“I'm doing my first backpack in the sierras as well in september. I'm going to Yosemite though, and I'm not sure how far in advance you have to get permits for that.”

“Where in Yosemite? I haven't done much non-winter backpacking in Yosemite, but I understand you can usually get a permit for somewhere, even if not your first choice. I'd contact them now to find out what the routine is....

I actually may go for a night or two in early August between the valley and T. Meadows to get that one short segment of the JMT under my belt before tackling the rest in '07 and '08....”

“Thats where I'm headed BM...we are starting out at T. Meadows and going to cathedral lakes and then into the valley i think? I havent had a chance to look at the map yet, as I just found out a couple days ago my friends got a permit and it was a done deal. We are doing a shuttle hike for 3 nights, 4 days i think.”

“Permits, what's a permit? The cut backs mean nothing -go for it cowboy!”

“Evolution basin can be quite a trek for 4 days. If you are up for it, can enter from N.Lake over Lamarck Col through Darwin Basin and into Evolution basin. Exit at S. Lake. (pretty easy to bum a ride for the short shuttle between trailheads). Some big mileage days ~15mi back to back, some of it cross country. Tough if you aren't acclimated.

Another option in the Bishop area is to enter at S. Lake, hike Bishop Pass into Dusy basin then head cross country to the Barrett lakes of Glacier lake. Can out and back or x-cnty down to Palisade lake and loop back via LeConte Canyon. Very doable 4 days. Class 2 Mt Agassiz is accessible from Bishop Pass or Class 3 N. Palisade if you are up to it from Glacier Lake.

A third option is Cottonwood or Horseshoe to Whitney Portal (though good luck on Whitney permits).

A west side option is to hike from Wolverton TH into the tablelands and wander this area for a couple days. Generally easy x-country, some beautiful isolated lakelets near the crest. Wind your way over to Elizabeth Pass and return via the High Sierra trail.

A lifetime of options. Only advice, find more than four days. Steve”