High Sierra Topix

Wasn't able to get that week off this year, but this sounds like so much fun. I'll have to make 2025 a priority!

That's too bad, but hopefully, next year's meetup will be in a week that you can get off.

I can't make this year's meetup (going to be in WY).

I'd love it if next year is about the same time (end of July/beginning of Aug). I'll put it on my calendar now

I got a permit today, going in from Bear Diversion, a route I have never done. The meet-up will be at the end of the 9-day trip, so not 100% I will make it, but plan to. July 24 is day 7 of my permit. Please let me know if arriving on the 23 is better. Many options for the first 6 days, and what I do will depend on creek crossings more than anything else.

We will arrive on either the evening of the 24th or mid-day on the 25th, Daisy. We are probably going up to Orchid's small outlet lake beforehand.

Re. access to the Meetup, does anyone know about the Horton Lakes trailhead? I can't get through to the White Mtn. Ranger Station, and my question is about the road in. How close can you get before it's impassable for a 2wd vehicle? In the past, I've had luck thrashing through 4wd roads, but I don't know this one. It's off Buttermilk road. I know there are still permits open from Edison area, but I like the idea of using this new route, and passing through H.Basin and French Canyon. Thanks.

Just now reading this meet-up thread. Have been to Vee Lake 4 times and 10 times up Bear Creek. So one of my favorite destinations, all of which have been via the Bear Diversion Dam road I've managed to drive all but once in Subaru's. Watched that Youtube BDD Road video and will add some years it is more difficult in the difficult steeper uphill sections when spinning tire holes have been dug. Some scary narrow sections one does not want to meet other vehicles, especially at night. From the dam with my loads, that is 3 day effort each way to/from Vee Lake. So usually that meant a long 10 or 11 day trip to make base camping there worthwhile.

Although I'd like to meet some members herein, don't expect to make the meet-up mainly because it is too much strenuous effort for this aging guy and as a photographer, already have several strong images from my 4x5 view camera years in that basin. If I ever go up Bear Creek again, it would be into the South Fork basin. I'm in decent shape after another Tahoe ski season and recently Coast Range spring photography. (thumbnails below) But last year felt my body's reaction to the one backpack I did was a sign I needed to ease up. Also have an inguinal hernia mesh surgery to go through likely next month that I don't want to re-tear.

https://www.davidsenesac.com/2023_Trip_ ... 023-6.html

https://www.youtube.com/@davids1586

Most visitors camp about the sunny bright flat along the north side of Vee Lake. There are also spots on the peninsula and south inlet stream. None of these sites has trees or shade. Our preferred camp spots were at the first topo "R" in SIERRA, about 150 feet above the lake.

Someone mentioned the difficult JMT creek crossing (at 9.5k). Coming in from BDD one doesn't cross the creek going to the East Fork of Bear Creek basin. And neither need to cross the East Fork on the way up that tedious cross country route.

Cocktail hour is being used as a metaphor more than anything else.

Maverick, in your original post your wrote: "... 7/26 (Fri) is our full day ...". I,e., group socializing the eve of 7/26. Is that still the plan?

Your 4/11 post seems to indicate earlier. If it's earlier, I'll need to modify my permit.