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Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
#43813 08/05/15 08:20 AM
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With all the smoke in Owens Valley, I am looking at some other possible hikes. I am thinking about spending a night in the 20 Lakes Basin. The trailhead is:

Saddlebag Lake (Non Quota) HH14

http://www.recreation.gov/permits/Saddle...amp;entryType=1


Does this mean, there is no quota for overnight permits - ie I can just walk into a Ranger Station and get a permit?

I will probably try for walk-in permits in other areas - North Fork of Big Pine Creek, Sabrina Lake, Bishop Pass, etc, but I think Saddlebag/20 Lakes wouldn't be a bad backup.

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
63ChevyII.com #43818 08/05/15 09:01 AM
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I'm going up N. Fork Big Pine Creek on Sat/Sun!

I haven't had much luck landing a permit yet though. As far as Saddlebag lake, I don't think you can camp there: "Backpackers must go past the end of Saddlebag Lake, to Greenstone Lake or farther into the 20 lakes basin area in order to stay overnight. Camping around Saddlebag Lake is limited to the campground near the resort"


@jjoshuagregory (Instagram) for mainly landscape and mountain pics
Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
63ChevyII.com #43819 08/05/15 09:10 AM
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Also, I'm getting my info here.

You do need a permit to do overnight, I just don't think there is a quota for those particular activities, I just don't think it is restricted by quota: "Wilderness permits are required for overnight trips into the Hoover Wilderness. Day use does not require a permit. Permits are issued at Inyo National Forest visitor centers or Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Permit Office."


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Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
Snacking Bear #43823 08/05/15 09:48 AM
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This TR has piqued my interest in the Saddlebag area:
http://calipidder.com/wp/2014/09/north-peak-12242-tioga-lake/

We would probably stay near the Conness Lakes. I found the same page you're using, and interpreted it the same. I've tried calling the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center several times, with no answer. I want to ask them about the air quality with all the smoke, if it's bad, how far north do they suggest going, likelihood of getting walk-ins, etc...

For N. Fork Big Pine Creek are you going to try for walk-ins?

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
63ChevyII.com #43824 08/05/15 09:58 AM
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That does look interesting!

I'm going to try for online permits, and a night drop-off. If I can't get it then, then I'm going to do my best to day hike Mt. Sill and bring bivy equipment.

I want to start EARLY Saturday. Head for Sill, drop my bivy stuff at Sam Mack Meadow and bivy on the descent, only if necessary.

If I can land the permits, I will definitely bivy.

Let's see how many more times I can use "bivy" in a single post.


@jjoshuagregory (Instagram) for mainly landscape and mountain pics
Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
63ChevyII.com #43825 08/05/15 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted By: 63ChevyII.com
I've tried calling the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center several times, with no answer. I want to ask them about the air quality with all the smoke, if it's bad, how far north do they suggest going, likelihood of getting walk-ins, etc...

Lyndon, you might try calling the Wilderness Permit number. They are in Bishop, and always pick up the phone, unlike the Visitor Center.

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
Steve C #43826 08/05/15 11:41 AM
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I tried the Bishop station too, but they're not answering either.

I'm a little annoyed as I dont want to finalize plans until I talk to someone.

If you were planning on hiking Langley, would you be concerned with air quality? Would you just plan on hiking somewhere else?

Last edited by 63ChevyII.com; 08/05/15 11:42 AM.
Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
63ChevyII.com #43828 08/05/15 01:42 PM
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Hey Chevy,

Check out this web cam for view of Mono (looks great):
http://www.zeitcam.com/webcam/monolake

I'm planning on Langley on the 28th. I am expecting that the trail head and destination are both sufficiently high that I should not have too much concern about smoke. Hope I'm not wrong:-)

John

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
63ChevyII.com #43829 08/05/15 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted By: 63ChevyII.com
I tried the Bishop station too, but they're not answering either.

I'm a little annoyed as I don't want to finalize plans until I talk to someone.

If you were planning on hiking Langley, would you be concerned with air quality? Would you just plan on hiking somewhere else?

Wilderness Permit Office: 760-873-2483

Yes, I would be concerned. From the summit pics I've seen, though, it appears the smoke and haze is hovering lower, and the higher elevations are clear.

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
63ChevyII.com #43830 08/05/15 02:22 PM
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Lyndon, we dayhiked to the Conness Lakes a few weeks ago, and those are some incredibly spectacular alpine lakes. The last one is a bit under 11.5K'. All use trails and slabs as your route, but nothing exposed or particularly steep for any duration.

The water taxi across Saddlebag can save you some time and mileage. From the landing on the other side of Saddlebag, it's about 4 miles to the last lake. Pretty decent dirt road between Tioga and Saddlebag.

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
Steve C #43831 08/05/15 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted By: Steve C

Wilderness Permit Office: 760-873-2483

Yes, I would be concerned. From the summit pics I've seen, though, it appears the smoke and haze is hovering lower, and the higher elevations are clear.

Thanks Steve, that number worked.

The person said that they're getting smoke in Bishop right now and if it were her, she would plan on something further north.

In regards to Saddlebag, no quota, but you need to get a permit during their normal operating hours. No night drop or online permits.

Originally Posted By: John Sims
Hey Chevy,

Check out this web cam for view of Mono (looks great):
http://www.zeitcam.com/webcam/monolake

I'm planning on Langley on the 28th. I am expecting that the trail head and destination are both sufficiently high that I should not have too much concern about smoke. Hope I'm not wrong:-)

John


Thanks John. If I haven't hiked Langley yet, I may try to join you. My wife may return to work next week, so I'm trying to get as much hiking in as possible while I can.

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
63ChevyII.com #43832 08/05/15 03:07 PM
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I think "that person" you talked to sent me a new link about smoke:


http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
Steve C #43836 08/05/15 05:02 PM
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My buddy and I decided that we'll give try White Mountain Peak instead of Langley. We plan to head up to Bishop early Saturday.

Can anyone recommend a moderate, scenic hike we can do Saturday morning before heading up to White Mtn, that will have parking available? I was thinking about Sabrina Lake (http://www.modernhiker.com/2014/09/24/hike-sabrina-basin-to-emerald-lakes/), but guessing if we don't show up before 9 am, parking will be difficult. That was the case at my recent hikes at South Lake, Onion Valley, Little Lakes Valley, etc.

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
Steve C #43837 08/05/15 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted By: Steve C
I think "that person" you talked to sent me a new link about smoke:


http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/


thanks Steve.

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
Bulldog34 #43838 08/05/15 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted By: Bulldog34
Lyndon, we dayhiked to the Conness Lakes a few weeks ago, and those are some incredibly spectacular alpine lakes. The last one is a bit under 11.5K'. All use trails and slabs as your route, but nothing exposed or particularly steep for any duration.

The water taxi across Saddlebag can save you some time and mileage. From the landing on the other side of Saddlebag, it's about 4 miles to the last lake. Pretty decent dirt road between Tioga and Saddlebag.


Thanks for the info Gary. I just learned about them this morning. Looks pretty amazing!

As a backpack, I think I would combine these two routes:
start this loop counter clockwise - http://www.saddlebaglakeresort.com/saddlebagmap_424x600.jpg
then pickup this route when we cross it: http://calipidder.com/wp/2014/09/north-peak-12242-tioga-lake/
and spend a night near Conness Lakes if possible.

That would break down to:
Day 1- 8.5miles, +2100, -1475.
Day 2- 5.5 miles, +1705, -2330 (includes a North Peak summit)

On the way back to the 120, I would probably bag Tioga Peak if I was up for it.

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
Snacking Bear #43839 08/05/15 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted By: Snacking Bear
That does look interesting!

I'm going to try for online permits, and a night drop-off. If I can't get it then, then I'm going to do my best to day hike Mt. Sill and bring bivy equipment.

I want to start EARLY Saturday. Head for Sill, drop my bivy stuff at Sam Mack Meadow and bivy on the descent, only if necessary.

If I can land the permits, I will definitely bivy.

Let's see how many more times I can use "bivy" in a single post.


Good luck SB!

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
63ChevyII.com #43841 08/05/15 05:42 PM
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Lyndon, I may have outdated info, but I believe the Conness Lakes basin is off limits to camping. I think it's a research area, or at least was at one time. We certainly saw no signs of camping during our day there, and it was a weekend. You may have to adjust your itinerary for that, but as a whole it should be eminently doable. I'm pretty certain you will not find a more awe-inspiring group of lakes in the Sierra than in those two basins.

Grab 'em while you can, brutha - the clock is ticking! Another few months and you'll be like me, penciling in cross-country trips once or twice a year and wondering how the hell you'll squeeze in everything you want to do.

Re: Overnight near Saddlebag Lake
Bulldog34 #43860 08/06/15 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted By: Bulldog34

Lyndon, I may have outdated info, but I believe the Conness Lakes basin is off limits to camping. I think it's a research area, or at least was at one time. We certainly saw no signs of camping during our day there, and it was a weekend. You may have to adjust your itinerary for that, but as a whole it should be eminently doable. I'm pretty certain you will not find a more awe-inspiring group of lakes in the Sierra than in those two basins.



Lyndon, I believe Gary is correct. However, I "think" that this does not include the "entire area", but only the "Hall Natural Area". See the following link for more info:
http://www.allyosemite.com/nature/hall_natural_area.php

Like Gary I have not seen campers in the Conness Lakes Basin, but I have seen hikers with packs including tents/sleeping bags/etc., so I'm confident there are areas nearby where camping is OK.

There is signage telling you when you are entering the Hall Natural Area, and it does say no wood fires or "overnight use".

Put the 28th on your calendar. I would enjoy hiking with you.

John


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