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Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
#43379 07/02/15 04:08 PM
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So, unexpectedly, I'll be able to get away for a couple of overnight trips this month grin

I've looked around a bit for overnight permits and predictably, there isn't much available. Here are some of the hikes/places I am thinking about, as well as some questions. I would like to get the group up to 13k+ if possible. I think the group would be better with just 1 night on the trail, but could probably be convinced to spend 2...

1. Langley - Are we likely to grab 3 or 4 overnight permits for Cottonwood Lakes if we show up at the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center on a Friday morning? I am open to doing this as a dayhike, but I think overnight might be better for us.

2. What about Kearsarge Pass? What peaks should I consider in this area? How much exposure is there getting to the summit block of Mt. Gould?

3. Mosquito Flats/Little Lakes Valley - what routes/peaks would you look at from this TH?

4. Cloudripper - don't know much about this hike, but I found it on one my 'to hike' lists. laugh Is JM22 the right trail? Has anyone else her hiked it?

5. Any other suggestions? Would like to keep it to class 2 or easier for the most part, maybe some very easy class 3 or cross country travel, covering < 25 miles (unless the terrain is easy). We live in the Riverside area and hoping to not spend more than 8-10 in the car, roundtrip.

6. What's the difference between an overnight and cross country permits, as far as recreation.gov is concerned?

Re: Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
63ChevyII.com #43385 07/02/15 07:11 PM
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As for Little Lakes Valley; beautiful! Was just up there last week. I would avoid Mt Starr (see my post on my website), but if you are interested in an easier peak around there is Mono Pass Peak (see peakbagger.com) and nearby Mount Morgan (South, 13,748'), but you need to take Francis Lake TH to get to though. Mount Tom maybe or White Mountain?


"Come and Let Us Climb the Lord's Mountain!" -Isaiah 2:5
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Re: Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
63ChevyII.com #43387 07/02/15 08:15 PM
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Lyndon, I've been up Kearsarge and looked over Gould a few years ago, but didn't have time to try it. It appears to be a pretty straightforward class 2, and then maybe some moderate class 3 in the summit area.

Joyce Britton just posted a ton of high quality photos on FB from a recent group hike up to Gould. I took the liberty of posting one of the summit in the Photo Gallery. The summit blocks don't seem too intimidating, but it looks like it could be loose and unstable around the whole upper third. Exposure is minimal, but just proceed with caution and make sure the rock is solid before committing weight.


http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showpic&id=1259

Re: Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
Bulldog34 #43392 07/02/15 10:33 PM
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Cottonwood Lakes has a quota of 60 for overnight camping. Only 36 are reservable, the other 24 are available to walk-ins. Same numbers for Kearsarge Pass. I think you have a 99% chance of getting walk-in permits. Little Lakes has lower numbers (max 25, 15/10).
Permit quotas are here, link on this page.

Re: Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
Bulldog34 #43394 07/03/15 06:06 AM
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If you are coming from Kearsarge Pass, the summit of Mt. Gould should look like this:



If you stay more or less on top of the ridge the whole way, there is no problem with looseness. The summit block does have some exposure, but it is just a few minutes of solid Class 3.

Re: Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
63ChevyII.com #43426 07/07/15 08:19 AM
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Thanks for the help everyone.

Right now the plan is to show up at the Ranger Station early Friday 7/17 and try to snag Cottonwood Lakes permits. If we don't get them I'll see what else is available. If we can't find any overnight permits that interests us, we'll track down Gary and hang out for the day, cool then try Langley as a day hike.



I am probably headed up to White Mountain Peak this weekend, and may take a shot at Mt. Barcroft while I'm up there. Have any of you done this? Is there a use trail?

Last edited by 63ChevyII.com; 07/07/15 08:20 AM.
Re: Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
63ChevyII.com #43427 07/07/15 09:03 AM
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Mt Barcroft is just a half mile sw of, and 300' higher than, the hump you climb north of the research labs. Just follow the ridge -- it is all wide open and gentle landscape.

Re: Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
63ChevyII.com #43429 07/07/15 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted By: 63ChevyII.com
Thanks for the help everyone.

Right now the plan is to show up at the Ranger Station early Friday 7/17 and try to snag Cottonwood Lakes permits. If we don't get them I'll see what else is available. If we can't find any overnight permits that interests us, we'll track down Gary and hang out for the day, cool then try Langley as a day hike.


If that happens, we'll be at the Portal all day Friday, and again Sunday through about 1:00 before heading back to Vegas. We'll be on a trail most of the day Saturday, but may be at the Portal Saturday night.

Re: Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
Bulldog34 #43467 07/09/15 11:14 AM
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My buddy and I were planning on hiking White Mtn Peak this weekend (7/11-7/12). With the crazy weather, I am looking at alternatives. I am prepped and have experience with cold weather camping and hiking, but my friend that is going does not. Early Sunday it looks like it could be in the low 30s on WMP, with wind gusting up to 30 MPH.

I am thinking about showing up at the Ranger Station in Lone Pine (or do I need to go to the Bishop one) to see if we can grab permits for Tamrack Lakes or Mosquito Flats...maybe Mt. Morgan or Mono Pass Peak

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Something near the southern end of SEKI maybe? Mileage wise, I'm thinking 15 miles RT or less. For either backpacking or a day hike.

Re: Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
Bulldog34 #43468 07/09/15 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted By: Bulldog34


If that happens, we'll be at the Portal all day Friday, and again Sunday through about 1:00 before heading back to Vegas. We'll be on a trail most of the day Saturday, but may be at the Portal Saturday night.


I will text our plans once we get them figured out. Are you camping at WP thur/fri?

Re: Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
63ChevyII.com #43469 07/09/15 11:47 AM
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Weather is typically better over in the White Mountains as compared to the Sierra. Checking NOAA weather, the forecast shows the stormy weather moving out by Friday night, with clouds and clearing Sat/Sun. White Mtns are only marginally colder, due to the higher elevation compared to Mosquito Flats.

As for Sierra Permits, you can pick up permits for all the Inyo trails at any of the four Inyo ranger stations. It is only the Whitney Zone permits that MUST be picked up in Lone Pine.

Re: Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
Steve C #43473 07/09/15 04:11 PM
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White Mountain road closed today due to snow on the upper section and flash flood in Westguard Canyon. With the current forcast it is unclear when the road will re open. Lots of local flash flood alerts, take a look at Caltrans for a photo of Coso Junction, south of Lone Pine... maybe one of you can link to it.


1962
Re: Walk-in Permits for the Eastern Sierra
1962 #43476 07/09/15 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted By: 1962
White Mountain road closed today due to snow on the upper section and flash flood in Westguard Canyon. With the current forcast it is unclear when the road will re open. Lots of local flash flood alerts, take a look at Caltrans for a photo of Coso Junction, south of Lone Pine... maybe one of you can link to it.


Yikes, that's one thing I had been worried about. I had seen the flash flood warnings for the area. I had been planning to call to tomorrow morning if I hadn't heard anything about it.


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