Sierra Nevada from the Owens Valley

“I'll be going down the Owens Valley this summer, and have hopes of enticing the family to do a backpack along the way. Are there some places that require a permit long in advance of the trip, or can we get a permit when we get there? Some old favorites that I would love to hit would be out of South Lake, or the Palisade Lakes, or Cottonwood. Its hard to pick one as a great weekend backpack to show the family the Sierra. Any suggestions for fairly easy hikes? A high elevation trailhead would be easier on the family, and I don't remember too many of those. I figure Onion Valley would be super crowed and booked up.”

“There are walk-up day of permits available, Idaho, if I remember correctly. However, there can be a looong line in the a.m...”

“I plan on spending a few days in the Kings Canyon area in late May/early June. Am I going to be stuck in the valleys because of the snow levels? Anyone have any info on when things "open" out there?”

“It's easier for me to predict the stock market for that month -let's see the dow....”

“Hey,
Check out this trip we took last August!!

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/1159.php

See ya later.
Randall”

“Thanks dude, great stuff
I ordered a book on Kings Canyon/Sequoia. Between the book and the stuff on here, I should be able to figure something out.”

“I. B. the hike I like to take first timers on is Little Lakes Valley.
The trail starts at 10,000' and if you go to just before the pass (there are many places to stop along the way) you will have traveled 3 miles and gained 200'.
It has the best views for the least work in the Sierra.
Between Mammoth and Bishop is Tom's Place, turn toward the mountains. Go to the end of the road.
Best to get your permits early as it is a VERY popular day use trail. As such get to the trailhead early because the parking lot fills quickly.”

“May is pretty early to get into the Eastern Sierra, even in a low snow year, which we are NOT having...”