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Valentine Lake - place to camp?

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 1:28 pm
by rokubota
We are thinking about making a quick trip for just two nights, and wondering Valentine Lake would be a good destination. Looking at the pictures, though, looks pretty rocky/steep and wondering if there is a good place to camp there. Has anyone camped there? of if you've gone there, see a suitable place to setup a tent? Thank you in advance!!

Re: Valentine Lake - place to camp?

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 2:28 pm
by Sewellymon
This the one near Mammoth? Just west of the south end is where I camped. Seemed fine (was 40 years ago).

Route up and over to Ram Lakes etc was talus hell. Not recommended.

Re: Valentine Lake - place to camp?

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 2:43 pm
by maverick
Hi Sewellymon,

Welcome to HST! Thank you providing that information for your fellow HST member! :thumbsup:

Re: Valentine Lake - place to camp?

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 4:04 pm
by giantbrookie
Sewellymon wrote:This the one near Mammoth? Just west of the south end is where I camped. Seemed fine (was 40 years ago).

Route up and over to Ram Lakes etc was talus hell. Not recommended.
I don't want to get too far off topic but I once wondered about going to Ram Lakes from Valentine. I went to Ram Lks. from Convict Cyn, Genevieve Cr slot canyon (except the very lowest part), and via the pass over the crest above Cloverleaf L. That turned out to be a very nice route, so I'm very glad I didn't do the Valentine option, given your assessment of it.

Re: Valentine Lake - place to camp?

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 4:59 pm
by Ballpeen
When we were there years ago, campers were set up down low near the lake. It looked buggy, and probably too close to the water. We scouted around and found a very nice site on the slabs above, to the right of the lake outlet.

Re: Valentine Lake - place to camp?

Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 8:16 am
by rokubota
Thanks Sewellymon and Ballpeen - we are now set on a trip to Valentine and will use your advices to locate a place to camp. Thanks Maverick for having this great forum!

If someone has been on that hike lately, I'd appreciate a tip on the mosquito situation for that area. Thanks!

Re: Valentine Lake - place to camp?

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 6:38 am
by murphtron
There is a nice shady spot on the slabs above to the west of the outlet. We didn't go any further south of the lake than that so there may be other spots. But it's in a narrow v canyon. Water was cold! Very pretty. Remote. Mostly day hikers to Sherwin Lakes. There's a fantastic bubbling spring halfway along the trail from sherwin to valentine.

Re: Valentine Lake - place to camp?

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 7:19 am
by Herm
I have camped at Valentine in September 2003, setting up on a nice spot above the west shore. At the outlet, crossed to western shore, then proceeded south around a small embayment (maybe ~100 yards from outlet). At south end of embayment is the spot - it is located a proper distance away from the water, has some trees, and a nearby spring that provides good clean water (maybe only in wet years?). While fishing, circumnavigated the lake, and found another well used campsite on the eastern shore. However, that site along eastern shore is in the trees (little if any view), and would be a bug haven at certain times.

Hope this helps.

Herm