I'm certain there are better hikes here. We were just looking for a place to fish and it was entirely too hot to be any fun.

A nice, rigorous climb at elevation. Abandoned fire watch at the top of Mount Islip is worth the side-hike. Lots of flat sites at Little Jimmy, and a reliable stream, but crowded on weekends.

Unintentionally a little brutal on the mileage/elevation here, but one of my favorite trips ever. Granite Lake was mobbed with people (fourth of July weekend!) but spending a long afternoon there on the way out was lovely. Seven-Up Trail is loose scree - kinda scary! But the views are stellar. My trip report: https://bl3ssthism3ss.wordpress.com/2020/07/03/bear-basin-granite-lake-loop/

Horrible bugs and loud OHVs at Buck Island Lake, but Rubicon was a joy once we got permits settled. My trip report: https://bl3ssthism3ss.wordpress.com/2020/06/19/rubicon-reservoir/

Hiking a well-graded and a bit rollicking trail along the river in a steep-sided basin. Lots of evidence of post-fire ecology: wildflowers were riotous when we went (but so was poison oak). I didn't make it past the lower falls and was totally fine with that. Marked a few campsites I'll try next time. My trip report: https://bl3ssthism3ss.wordpress.com/2020/06/12/preston-falls/

Lovely mountainsides and littered with lakes. First few miles are along a fire road, and most lakes have a dam on them, so it's not the wildest place I've been. But I'm recommending something like this to most backpackers now. Island Lake was very crowded; Penner wasn't (though a hailstorm helped). My trip report: https://bl3ssthism3ss.wordpress.com/2020/05/29/penner-lake/