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Family Hiking, April 24-26
#42173 04/12/15 11:42 PM
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I am looking for some suggestions. My wife and I have some time off and are thinking about doing something within 6 hours or so of the Riverside area. Yosemite, Sierras, Mammoth, etc.

I was thinking about the 20 Lakes Basin, since Tioga Pass is supposed to be open April 15, but realized the water taxi isn't running yet. I would like scenic trail covering up to 8 miles total. It'd be great if it was something not too difficult that my son could hike a portion of. He has done around 4 miles on relatively flat terrain, 2 miles on some steep stuff.

Re: Family Hiking, April 24-26
63ChevyII.com #42175 04/13/15 09:23 AM
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Cathedral Lakes out of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite comes to mind. If you have not been there, I think it is one of the most scenic spots in Yosemite.

It is really early in the season though, so you would be hiking over some (consolidated) snow. The trail climbs through forest in a north-facing slope, so there would still be some snow, in spite of the dry winter.

If you are interested, there is a more direct "fishermens' trail" shortcut (an abandoned trail) that makes the hike shorter: takes about an hour, and climbs 800'.

Re: Family Hiking, April 24-26
63ChevyII.com #42177 04/13/15 12:44 PM
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There are several hikes that meet your criteria around Mammoth Lakes.
Check out the Google map at:
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.5841804,-118.9867172,2631m/data=!3m1!1e3
Move your mouse across the photos along the bottom of the page, and it will show where the photo was taken.

Check out: http://alltrails.com/trail/us/california/barney-lake
for an example.

And, you could also check out the area around the Devil's Post Pile.

Last edited by John Sims; 04/13/15 12:52 PM. Reason: Add example hike
Re: Family Hiking, April 24-26
John Sims #42227 04/16/15 04:59 PM
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Looks like Tioga Pass is only open to the gate, so Mt. Dana & Gaylor Lake may be the only trails available.

I'm reading that the Saddlebag/20 Lakes Basin hike is only around 8 miles without the water taxi. That's doable, but I wonder if the road from 120 to the resort is even open.

John reminded me that we didnt' get to see Rainbow Falls last year, but I'm told that road will be closed for a few more months.

North Fork Big Pine Creek has been suggested several times, but I wonder if it's too tough of a hike.

LLV/Mosquito Flats was another place I was considering, but once again, I wonder if the road is open.

Any thoughts?

Re: Family Hiking, April 24-26
63ChevyII.com #42232 04/16/15 10:20 PM
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April is so early -- you are looking at high-elevation spots, and most of them, if open, will still have lots of snow.

Maybe you should consider coming up the west side of the Sierra, and visiting Sequoia N.P. or Yosemite. I would think about doing part of the Panorama Trail loop in Yosemite. The entire loop might be much with the little guy, but if you could take the shuttle from Yosemite Valley up to Glacier Point, you could then do the 8-mile section from GP to Nevada Falls, then down to the Valley Floor.

Sequoia N.P.: Look at the Little Baldy hike. I've taken my daughter and her cousins up that trail several times. Giant Forest has lots of trails to keep you out for a full day. Once you get away from the parking lots, there aren't many people. The huge trees are spectacular. You could hike out part way on the High Sierra Trail start. I just checked: Hwy 180 to Cedar Grove is scheduled to open at noon Apr. 24! Mist Falls! Paradise Valley if you are energetic!

The more I think about it, the better the west side sounds for April.

Re: Family Hiking, April 24-26
Steve C #42234 04/17/15 10:08 AM
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Thanks Steve, I agree. We might leave late on the 23rd now so that the kiddo can sleep on the drive up.

Maybe we will do Yosemite one day and SEKI the other. I will post a few more questions after some more research.

Re: Family Hiking, April 24-26
63ChevyII.com #42235 04/17/15 12:16 PM
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Good things to consider. One marked difference between eastside and westside: the roads are long and winding to get to most destinations. You don't fly along a highway like the 395, and then make a turn and hit your destination in 30 minutes or so.

Look up the spots you are going and check driving distance and times.

Re: Family Hiking, April 24-26
Steve C #42244 04/18/15 05:20 PM
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Muir Grove. Short distance and you end up in a circular cathedral of Sequoias. The trailhead is at Dorst in SEKI.


Verum audaces non gerunt indusia alba. - Ipsi dixit MCMLXXII
Re: Family Hiking, April 24-26
63ChevyII.com #42256 04/20/15 11:41 AM
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Thanks everyone. We finally made a decision last night... we're headed to Zion!

I will have some time to hike May 8-10, so I check out some of the mentioned then.

Thanks again!


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