High Sierra Topix

Hi all - I'm new to this forum. looks like an inviting place for help.

Starting at the trailhead at Wrights lake, then Maud Lake for night 1, then to Shnidell lake for night 2...from Shnidell lake I'd like to traverse an apparent saddle between Silver and Red peaks to get to Lake #3 for the 3rd night - then back to Wright lake via Barret Lake trail.

Can anyone offer advice for the Xcountry leg from Shnidell to Lake #3? trip planned for late July.

Thanks so much.
MPackSanti

In Schaffer's "The Tahoe Sierra" he describes the route from Lake No. 3 to Leland Lakes and back as a relatively easy cross country day hike using the saddle between Red and Silver Peaks.

The Barrett Lake Trail is a popular jeep trail. It appears to be closed to jeeps until August 13th this year. You should contact the El Dorado NF for current information on the suitability of hiking out on this trail in early August due to the construction projects.

In mid-July 2001 I went in from Wrights Lake to Schmidell the first day and returned via the Red Peak Stock Trail from Schmidell down to the Barrett Lake trail.

Bing's view is currently not snow covered.

http://binged.it/1pYV6P2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Info on the Barrett Lake trail project can be found below.
http://hi-landers.com/BLT/BLT.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://hi-landers.com/bridge/BL_Bridge.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

John

MPackSanti,

Welcome to HST! I hope you can come back after your hike to share what you learned.

John S., HA! Bing calls Lake #3 "Lake #8"!

Thanks for helping!

-Russ

Russ,
That's true about the No 8 but if you look at the USGS Rockbound Valley 1992 7.5' printed topo it looks more like 8 than 3. It's only with the downloaded USGS version magnified to 200% or higher that the 3 becomes discrete.
John

Thanks all - trip is booked.
I appreciate the support.
MPackSanti

MPackSanti,
Here are a couple of photos: ; 1 -from the north end of Lake #3 to the northwest side of of Red Peak - the use trail descends along the left treeline. 2 - from the summit of Red Peak looking down to Schmidell Lake : haven't been down to Schmidell, but there is a steep use trail at the saddle. The descent to Lake #3 is clear over scree and talus to a tarn, then through mild brush to the lake. The lake sunsets has some nice 'glow from Red Peak, when that fades you can hike west a few yards and watch the sunset over the Sac. valley.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hycn ... 070874.JPG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tJ52 ... 080020.JPG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;