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Easy High Sierra backpacking routes?

Original Post
Doug Leonard · · CA · Joined Jul 2021 · Points: 0

My folks are visiting California and we want to do a backpacking trip. They're in decent shape but a bit older so I'm hoping to find a moderate out and back route where we'd hike up to a nice location, spend one or two nights up there doing some day hiking before heading back down. What would you recommend? Want to avoid the most brutally steep trails. Bonus points if there are nice 3rd or 4th class scrambles that would be accessible from camp. Eastern Sierra or Tuolumne Meadows area is preferable.

Matt Schilowitz · · California · Joined Sep 2015 · Points: 381

Tuolumne to Young Lakes. Easy day hikes to Mt. Conness, Roosevelt Lake, etc..

Herm Harrison · · Bishop, CA · Joined Sep 2018 · Points: 124

Little Lakes Valley, up Rock Creek? nearly level hiking at almost 10k, several classic class 3 and 4 peaks.

Doug Leonard · · CA · Joined Jul 2021 · Points: 0

Scored a permit for Young Lakes and may get another one for Little Lakes Valley too! Thanks for the help.

Fat Dad · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 60

Little Lakes Valley has small elevation gain and short distance (3 miles) to some nice lakes.  From there you can scramble up Pyramid Peak, Little Lakes Peak, etc. Young Lakes is terrific but the gain is about 1,400’ over about 6 miles.  Also consider Glen Aulin.  It drops about 600’ over 6 miles or so but the last three miles parallels the river, with nice cascades and a couple nice waterfalls. Gorgeous country back there.

Gerald Adams · · Sacramento · Joined May 2019 · Points: 0

Are they used to that altitude ?

Kevin Mokracek · · Burbank · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 363

Onion Valley trailhead.  Hike a few miles up to Matlock Lake.   Easy hike.

Marcelo F · · Sacramento, CA · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

In Tuolumne you can do a great loop up Lyell Canyon to Vogelsang Peak area and down Rafferty Creek. Spend a couple days camping at one of the lakes up there (Evelyn is very nice) and tagging Vogelsang or other peaks in the area before coming down.

Crotch Robbins · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2003 · Points: 307

Lyell Canyon, Little Lakes Valley, Saddlebag Lakes (boat ferry start!)

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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