Early season alternatives for Memorial Day?
Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 2:08 pm
I'd been planning a 2-night trip to Emigrant Wilderness over the holiday, with some cross-country thrown in to avoid the crowds (lewis/sardella lakes area from Kennedy). But with all the unsettled/chilly weather I'm thinking that area will probably be snowy.
Before just heading off to Henry Coe SP or Ventana/Big Sur, I thought I'd ask the collected wisdom of HST for some other early season favorites...relatively snow-free destinations that afford some degree of solitude on busy holiday weekends. No need to give GPS coordinates of your favorite stealth campsite, just a general area recommendation will be appreciated!
Parameters:
Level 3- Numerous backpacking trips, some x-country travel
Class 2 terrain/pass/x-country
looking to avoid major river fords & snow/ice travel
main interest:
- Lakes
- Big Mountain scenery
- Photography
- dayhike peak scrambling (up to Class 3)
How many days/nights is your trip, not including travel to trailhead?
2 nights
How many miles did you want to do a day, any layovers?
10-12. For a 2-nighter I think one basecamp at a nice lake is ideal.
Do you have a route logistics preference: loop, out and back, point to point (which
may require 2 vehicles or hitchhiking)?
loop or out/back, no shuttles
Is there a particular area in the Sierra that your most interested in(Yosemite, SEKI
western sierra start or eastern start ect.)?
Originally it was Western Sierra within easy 4-6hr drive of SF Bay Area...now seeking snow-free lower-elev. or Sierra alternative within same radius!
Will you be hiking with a dog?
No animals.
Before just heading off to Henry Coe SP or Ventana/Big Sur, I thought I'd ask the collected wisdom of HST for some other early season favorites...relatively snow-free destinations that afford some degree of solitude on busy holiday weekends. No need to give GPS coordinates of your favorite stealth campsite, just a general area recommendation will be appreciated!
Parameters:
Level 3- Numerous backpacking trips, some x-country travel
Class 2 terrain/pass/x-country
looking to avoid major river fords & snow/ice travel
main interest:
- Lakes
- Big Mountain scenery
- Photography
- dayhike peak scrambling (up to Class 3)
How many days/nights is your trip, not including travel to trailhead?
2 nights
How many miles did you want to do a day, any layovers?
10-12. For a 2-nighter I think one basecamp at a nice lake is ideal.
Do you have a route logistics preference: loop, out and back, point to point (which
may require 2 vehicles or hitchhiking)?
loop or out/back, no shuttles
Is there a particular area in the Sierra that your most interested in(Yosemite, SEKI
western sierra start or eastern start ect.)?
Originally it was Western Sierra within easy 4-6hr drive of SF Bay Area...now seeking snow-free lower-elev. or Sierra alternative within same radius!
Will you be hiking with a dog?
No animals.