Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion dayhike suggestions

hello,
I will be spending a couple weeks in the area next month and I'm looking for dayhike suggestions, up to easy class 3 since I will be on my own.
I climb more than I hike, but will be hitting the local trails to train and limber up.
I will have a car so suggestions don't have to be in the Whitney area specifically.

thanks in advance!
Anita

Secor.

Look at Horseshoe Meadow on a map, place a pin there, and draw a five mile radius.

Lone Pine Peak...bring a helmet. Class Two

Enter Cottonwood Pass wander down the PCT a bit until you see Cirque Peak, angle towards the peak, exit via Trail Pass visiting Trail Peak before you exit. Class Two

Hike out to Kearsarge Pass and do Gould from the pass...a touch of Class Three at the top.

Drive north on the 395 to Independence, then turn west and drive to the end, at Onion Valley.

The trail to Kearsarge pass is nice, about 2500' elevation gain. If you're energetic, you could head down the other side to Charlotte Lake, then return the same way.

Another option would be to head up toward Yosemite Park. There is some great hiking/climbing around Saddlebag Lake. You could climb up North Peak for instance. Approx. 9 miles round trip with approx. 2200' of elevation gain. See link for R. Gervin's trip report: http://rgervin.com/photos2012/20120828NorthPeak/thumb.html

Of course you could also drive into Yosemite Park. Many, many hikes available to suit your needs.

The Mammoth Lakes area also has many senic hikes. Ediza Lake is quite nice. See http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/galleries/29527/Pictures_of_Agnew_Meadows_to_L#comments for pictures of this hike.

Enjoy your visit.