Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Solo trip suggestions

I just picked up a new Digital SLR, and am planning on doing a 3-4 night solo trip next summer... probably Aug/Sept timeframe. Can anyone give me some suggestions on their favorite locations in the Sierra for photo ops. I know there are some great spots out there to hang for a few days and take some photos. Was thinking about doing a section of the JMT, but not sure if that's the way to go. Being in Sacto, I don't get south of Mammoth too often and could use some insight from the Sierra veterans.

This trip will mainly be for pictures, but if I could include a class 2 peak in there, that would be ideal.

I realize this board is primarly for Whitney info, but thought it would be a good time to ask since things are slow right now. Plus it will give me plenty of time to plan.

Thanks!!

It's tough to go wrong anywhere in the Sierra for getting great scenery and photo ops. Part of this depends on what you like to photograph. Are you interested in jagged granite peaks, meadows, wild life, wildflowers? Wildflowers will have passed their peak by September so you may want to adjust your time frame if you want to see a lot of them in bloom.

I'm sure lots of people here can offer some great suggestions but a couple that come to mind are Evolution Valley and Onion Valley going over Kearsarge Pass. The latter will give you an opportunity to climb Mt. Gould (class 2 with a 3rd class summit block) and the views looking west from the pass and on top of Gould are outstanding. You could drop down the west side of the pass and head up into Rae Lakes, 60 Lakes Basin, or down past Charlotte Dome.

Like I say though it is pretty difficult to go wrong anywhere you go in the Sierra. If you haven't explored much south of Mammoth you're in for a big treat!

Maybe I am just a noob to the sierras but the view of the Kaweah Gap just out side of bear paw meadow is one of the nicest places I have ever been and a 4 day trip is perfect.

Thanks Kurt & RP for the suggestions! Rae Lakes is one that I have considered, but will need to look into the others. Mainly looking to photograph landscapes... peaks, alpine lakes, etc. I should probably mention I would like to bring the fly rod as well. Thanks again!

Well if you do consider the Kaweah Gap area you can compare my photos for times of the year.

I personally liked June better then august for the area because the snow adds allot to the beauty and you have water falls every where.

August:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roguephotonic/sets/72157611382185356/

June:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roguephotonic/sets/72157611383838624/

I did not fish but there was allot of decent sized trout swimming in hamilton lake.

Regulars on the board will recognize my personal bias, but "my" mountain (hey, it does have my name on it) is in a very picturesque area, so starting out at Agnew Meadows (over the ridge from Mammoth Mountain ski area) and heading up the Shadow Creek trail to Mt. Ritter ought to fit your bill. You can either hike up Shadow Creek to Ediza Lake or hop on the JMT at Shadow Lake and hike north to Garnet Lake and around there to Thousand Island Lake and back via either the River Trail or the High Trail (PCT) back to Agnew Meadows. It'd be easy to string together a nice 3 to 4 day backpacking trip and have some fly fishing opportunities both along the streams and at the lakes along the way.

If you are comfortable on 2nd-class and low-3rd-class snow, Mt. Ritter is quite doable (see the 1999 trip report on my web site, link above, for a detailed route description). Banner Peak is also mostly-2nd-class but if you go up from Ediza, there is a pretty steep spot on the glacier up to the Ritter/Banner saddle that might exceed your pucker factor. I've been as far as the saddle that way but haven't had the time to try Banner yet...maybe next time when I lead my son up "our" mountain, we'll take an extra day or two and bag Banner as well.

s_kavert:

I got to a few new places this year in the Sierra, no backpack was longer than 4 days (to be remedied for sure this year!). If you want an idea of the scenery, check out my end-of-the-year video and you can pm me with questions about where something is. Also, you can look at my flickr.com site (listed below in my signature line) which has detailed and labelled photo journals of my adventures.

Beyond that, break out a topo. Be realistic about your conditioning (you mentioned a Class 2 peak, but didn't mention if you like to do cross country travel on a regular basis or with a full pack). Start dreaming (this is usually my favorite part!).

Have fun planning!

-L

Oh, yeah, Laura......4 days. That pretty much limits you to 200 miles!

There are many, many options for out-and-back trips. If you haven't done the trip, the loop backpack from Tuolumne Meadows to Mammoth is a classic. Lots of fishable water to pass (10 lakes? Several streams.) Classic views. Wonderful mountains. Plus, there is public transit that can bring you back.

Direction depends upon schedule.

Wow! Thanks to everyone for all the great suggestions. I knew I would get some good ideas from this board.

Laura... I have checked out your Flickr site (great photography) and really enjoy your TR's posted here. I'll have to take a look at the video you mentioned and will PM you with questions. I do enjoy cross-country travel, but have never done it with a full pack. That might change my enjoyment of it slightly! I think for my first solo trip it's probably a good idea to stay on the established trails.

Thanks again to everyone!!

I agree, for your first solo trip you should remain on trails......and even then, on fairly often travelled trails. When going solo, there are things to be worked out that you don't deal with in a group, and it is good to have backup in the form of other people out there.

Shepherd Pass to the Upper Kern to Milestone Basin, then return. A great meandering 4-night trip with all kinds of "Seems like a good idea" options..

With 4 days there are lots of options.

You could Go over Piute Pass and then into the Desolation Lake area of Humphrey's Basin. Mesa Lake makes a great camping site because you have a view of Humphreys Peak and the Glacier Divide. Pilot Knob is an easy Class 2 peak in that area with a great view. You could also do Four Gables, which is reported to have an easy route from the Desolation Lake area, (I have not done Four Gables so I don't know about the view from it).

Another suggestion would be to go over Cottonwood Pass and camp at Soldier Lake the first night, then go into Miter Basin and camp at Sky Blue Lake (very beautiful). From this area you could day hike up to Arc Pass and do the easy route up Mount Irvine.

You could also go over Taboose Pass and out to Bench Lake. From Bench Lake you could attempt Arrow Peak, which is reported to be Class 2. I hope to get up there to do this one this summer sometime.

Solo trips are really enjoyable - it's so nice to set your own schedule. Have fun.

Even more great ideas! At first I wasn't sure where to go... Now I'll have trouble narrowing down the options! Thanks again.

Normally my wife backpacks with me, but I think four nights might be beyond her idea of fun. I've heard it's quite an experience to do a solo trip, so thought this would be a great opportunity to give it a try.