Gorgeous hike with lots of forested sections, but also some expected bushwhacking. Highland Creek did not offer swimming holes in September.
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The almost 4 mile approach on the PCT is lovely and rolling hills with little gain (felt the gain most on way out)
The chute is obvious on the far right side of Reynolds ((NE)) the gully is loose choss rock so staggering with your partner is smart to avoid rollers.
We gained the saddle and stayed high, traversing the West face of the summit. Once traversed you gain a view of a low angle volcanic slab that is a no fall zone but wide and chill to summit. Don’t pull on any rock, trust in the feet. Super fun Sierra scramble with some exposure for this area of the mountains. Felt more like the Eastern Sierra with some technical involvement rather than just a slog or hike.
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Sourgrass Trail got rough. Easy forest route to Beardsley Lake. Stay air down until the new asphalt section starts.
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Pretty easy hike to very impressive views. Insects were not a problem in mid January.
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Beware this road 3N08! Do not attempt in a 4X4. Heavy brush and one severe stream crossing at Wright’s Creek.
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Great for solitude, not the most scenic in the area, but still a welcome escape from the city.
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Came here with a group of friends to cut our own Christmas trees. Everyone with 4WD and decent tires made it through the snow no problem.
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Absolutely wonderful 4wd trail. 14 miles took about two hours
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Stayed at Piute and Gem lake. Did the 26 mile buck lake loop. Really nice! 3 days 2 nights. Kept tent and bin at Gem lake after Piute lake making Day 2 a nice 12 miler.
Day 1: 7
Day 2 12 miles
Day 3: 9 miles
Bring mosquito repellent. Horses are allowed on trail so there is poop but manageable. Camping at Gem lake on the south side was super nice. Stream crossings were reallg manageable but had to take boots off in a few areas.
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The boys and I went out of our general area to hike this gem of a hike. Beautiful views, high into the sierras. Hiked to Piote Lake the first day and used that as a base camp to explore the area. We saw gem lake, scaled the granite ramps. You can practically climb any where you want to explore. Went back thru the ground hog trail. And made it back in 4 days. Excellent trip.
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The boys and I went out of our general area to hike this gem of a hike. Beautiful views, high into the sierras. Hiked to Piote Lake the first day and used that as a base camp to explore the area. We saw gem lake, scaled the granite ramps. You can practically climb any where you want to explore. Went back thru the ground hog trail. And made it back in 4 days. Excellent trip.
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This trail is beautiful. You definitely need a high clearance vehicle and four wheel drive. Takes 4-6 hours to complete.
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Beautiful, especially the north half! Consider rerouting the last bit via the northern route, purely for visual preference. Lots of water when hiked 7/1/22.
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A great fitness test. Many fallen trees but manageable. Cool water to bring the body temp down.
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Such a good day hike if you want to get in a variety of terrain including bits of rock climbing with a payoff at the destination, the granite pond Cleo’s Bath.
Some climbing, so if you’re not in shape to pull yourself up some vertical you probably are better off at Pinecrest Lake.
Another caveat is the Cleo’s can get mobbed up so people start getting too close to the granite whitewater slabs which are almost impossible to get out off if you fall in. It’s extremely dangerous so stay high above moving river section on solid rock.
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Entered from the west entrance. Trail was in good shape with the exception of large rutted up muddy hill climb. Had to take a detour after a few tries. The exit on the east side was slightly challenging but with good tire placement we had no troubles. Completed the trail in a CJ7 with a 2" lift and 31s, friends in a YJ with a 4" lift and 33s.
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This was my first backpacking trip and it was a wild experience. The views are amazing and perfect for photos. We took the Camp Lake route to start the loop and it was much more difficult than the lower loop but the views were worth it. Will definitely try again someday. Personally I don’t think the trail is too difficult but I am a bit more athletic, the altitude can def get to you
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This is an excellent medium difficulty 4x4 trail. There is a mix of great traction obstacles and slick dusty downhills. Overall a great time.
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Great time to be on this trail while everything is green and creeks are running with plenty of water. A well marked trail worth the trip.
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This hike will test your physical agility. It starts out with a light to moderate grade. As you pass above the tree line after about 2 miles, the last mile is a butt-kicker. The summit views are worth it. Snow is an issue, at least when I hiked in mid-May. Hiking poles are definitely in order. Bring plenty of water. Thoughts from 60 year old hiker.
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We half bushwacked our way up Pineberry to the NFS compound. Just boots no snowshoes. Beautiful warm 48F with spotty rain.
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Poorly marked trail. Just running in circles and not that pretty. Very frustrating.
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This is my 60th anniversary of camping at the same site at the foot of Long Meadow. The first years here were like discovering uncharted territory! As a child, the granite cliffs and sometimes roaring creek, brought adventure to the six of us kids and relief to our parents who somehow had the energy to camp with us in 2 week stretches. Of course, much has changed in 60 years. But most of this area is still pristine... our parents’ ashes were scattered here. I hope it remains lightly tread on!
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Loop from Stanislaus Meadow to Heiser Lake and Mosquito Lakes. Can be started at Mosquito Lakes trailhead or extended to include Bull Run Lake. Sometimes hard to find the trail on the granite sections.
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Nice loop on dual sport bikes. We rode out of big trees village down past sour grass and up into the forest and back. My son was on an Enduro I was on a dual sport. Technically illegal since it’s forest roads but no hassles – great riding and fun to explore.
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Good hike good community… A lot of people like to come out here recreationally. Weather is brisk cool but not too cold… Unless you’re in the middle of winter there will be snow. Saw tracks for Deers. Lots of little trails… Beginning of trail head is paved which is nice… Makes it easy to get to the parking lot. Good parking. Baking is allowed. Access is easy and free
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Scenic 5 mile hike with moderate elevation changes. Meadows and open forests. Asa Lake is more of a pond.
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Love this hike! Can be a bit annoying when it’s crowded with backpackers-but amazing when you get to the lake-and super refreshing to take a little swim!
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4x4 trip. We started lower Blue Lake to the Hermit Valley Campgrounds. Definitely not a beginner trail. About 75% crawling. Lots of rocks, tight spaces, tight turns and trees. Beautiful views and two water crossings.
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The views here are spectacular. Just like the rest of the Sierras, you see majestic views of granite mountains at every turn. This year, there was a lot of water, which unfortunately meant lots of mosquitoes. Still, the views made it worth it.
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Nice self guided tour of the Sequoia trees. Head toward the grove overlook trail to bypass some of the tourists.
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Nicely meandering logging road the crosses both National Forest and Sierra Pacific land.
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I took my wife and brother out for the day on quads and dirt bike. It was such a beautiful and easy ride down the fire roads and trails. I love the area
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Out and back Hike runs through the rim fire burn scar. It is fairly exposed so wear sunscreen. Path follows a gravel road that is closed to vehicles and has quite a bit of poison oak along the edges. Some nice views of the river along the way and you can cool off in the river. Best to do this one between November and April.
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