2020 Jul 18-Aug 3: CA High Sierra
109 images Created 6 Nov 2020
In the Eastern Sierra Nevada range of California, our family group undertook four day hikes plus an easy 4-day backpacking trip, driving round trip from Chico from 18 July to Aug 3 in 2020.
- We hiked Leavitt Meadows Loop clockwise (8.9 miles with 1570 ft gain) in Hoover Wilderness, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Staying below 8000 feet elevation, this makes a good training hike.
- The pandemic increased competition for campsites in Mammoth Lakes village and for backpacking trips throughout Inyo National Forest, so pre-booking was helpful. We enjoyed hiking from Lake George Trailhead to Crystal Lake (side trip) and Mammoth Crest for 7 miles with 2000 ft gain.
- We hiked to Shadow Lake (7.5 miles, 1200 ft gain) in Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo National Forest.
- Historic Benton Hot Springs is worth a visit to explore the rusting old cars.
- We hiked to Piute Pass Trail via ponds and lakes (9.7 miles, 2200 ft gain) in John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, Mono County.
- Our backpacking trip from Green Creek Trailhead to Summit Lake was 7.6 mi with 2360 ft gain, 310 ft descent, over a leisurely 3 days, then out on the fourth day. A day hike from our Green Lake campsite to West Lake was 3.9 mi with 1830 ft gain to 8896 ft elev. From Summit Lake, we day hiked east to Burro Pass with a view to Virginia Lakes (2180 ft gain over 4 miles round trip).
- We hiked Leavitt Meadows Loop clockwise (8.9 miles with 1570 ft gain) in Hoover Wilderness, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Staying below 8000 feet elevation, this makes a good training hike.
- The pandemic increased competition for campsites in Mammoth Lakes village and for backpacking trips throughout Inyo National Forest, so pre-booking was helpful. We enjoyed hiking from Lake George Trailhead to Crystal Lake (side trip) and Mammoth Crest for 7 miles with 2000 ft gain.
- We hiked to Shadow Lake (7.5 miles, 1200 ft gain) in Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo National Forest.
- Historic Benton Hot Springs is worth a visit to explore the rusting old cars.
- We hiked to Piute Pass Trail via ponds and lakes (9.7 miles, 2200 ft gain) in John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, Mono County.
- Our backpacking trip from Green Creek Trailhead to Summit Lake was 7.6 mi with 2360 ft gain, 310 ft descent, over a leisurely 3 days, then out on the fourth day. A day hike from our Green Lake campsite to West Lake was 3.9 mi with 1830 ft gain to 8896 ft elev. From Summit Lake, we day hiked east to Burro Pass with a view to Virginia Lakes (2180 ft gain over 4 miles round trip).
