High Sierra Topix

In August we will be hiking out of Roads End to Deadman Canyon, over Elizabeth and Coppermine passes, and down Cloud Canyon to Colby pass trail, which we will take southeast to the JMT and then back to RE via Woods Creek. My question is this: in Cloud Canyon will it be better for us to stay on the east or west side of the creek? I don't want to add an additional crossing of roaring river at Colby Pass trail if I can avoid it. Also, any particular spot in Cloud canyon great for camping?

Not sure why you would go over Elizabeth then Coppermine unless you really meant to Elizabeth then across to Coppermine. Heading directly to Coppermine will cut travel time for that section in half. Keep on the w. Side of the river from Coppermine down to the ford where the trail crosses the creek then ford. There actually is the old mining trail down the w. side but the travel is easy once you drop down to creekside so don't try to exactly follow the trail as it will take more time.

Yes we are just going up to Elizabeth and across to Coppermine. Thanks for the info oldranger.

Ranger Cindy at the Roaring River ranger station told me in 2017 that the old miner's trail from the upper part of Deadman Canyon to the Copper Mine can still be followed and she has taken horses up it! Apparently, it starts somewhere in the area where the Elizabeth Pass trail crosses the creek just above a waterfall and then heads directly up slope to the old Copper Mine.
-Phil

She told Lisa and I about it as well. Last month when she was chained to a desk at Grant Grove.

If you start at Wolverton and pass thru the Tablelands you have very nice access to upper Elizabeth canyon and coppermine pass.

oldranger wrote:

Heading directly to Coppermine will cut travel time for that section in half.

Teri, Here's a look at the upper portion of the old miner's trail between Elizabeth Pass and Coppermine. Note that it crosses over to the south side of the Kings-Kaweah Divide.

View west from Coppermine Peak. Elizabeth Pass is the white saddle- lowest point on the ridge a quarter mile east of "Fin Col" or "Horn Col," which is the big dry saddle at the very far right of the frame.
This was October 2018 just after a brief snowstorm. Best of luck!

Thanks Harlen - perfect picture.