Moving around Greenstone lake it was a little hard to find the trail with the new growth but we managed to find it again. Lakes Basin Camp has 23 sites, one group site, and is operated by a concessionaire. The last stop on the north side of the hike was Lake Helen. You can do this loop clockwise, counterclockwise, or in a figure eight with very well-marked trails along most of the route. Hugging Greenstone lake fairly tight around the first corner there is a little stream crossing. We randomly took a chance on this backpacking spot, and we really were not prepared for how beautiful and special this basin would turn out to be. Wallowa River-Lakes Basin Loop Backpacking Guide – Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR. Seven Lakes Basin is a quota area and permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis for backpacking trips during this timeframe. Due to the popularity of this trail, a permit is required to stay overnight. Camp 1 - Trail Creek Park. Rising out of the lake in front of our campsite is a large wall of granite that is part of the North Peak ridge. You do not need a permit if you are day hiking. September 1, 2016 by Magda. You'll now start to ascend and walk into Lundy pass. This camping spot was great perched high above a few lakes providing some of the most amazing sunset views I’ve been lucky enough to see. This hike’s pièce de résistance, the Hamilton Lakes basin at mile 14.3 is truly a can’t-go-wrong sort of heaven. The colors of the walls vary from rusty reds to steel blue because of the volcanic nature of this area. If you are backpacking to 20 lakes basin you need to get a permit for the hover wilderness. Before you turn off to Lundy Canyon (according to the signs), take one last look behind you back to Saddleback Lake. Nine Lakes Basin and Cloud Canyon 9/15/11-9/21/11. Supposedly there is a mine around here but we couldn’t find it. Bishop forums . Still, I think you could manage to make it to the basin’s parking area at South Mineral Campground in almost any vehicle. Conness. We chose to push on and camp at Cascade. A loop trail goes around the lake for fishing and hiking. You can pick that up on your way in at the Inyo Natnl Park ranger station or you can pick it up at the ranger kiosk at the mouth of the backpackers parking lot. 120 east, just past the east gate of Yosemite (Tioga Pass), make a left on Saddlebag Lake Road. This is where you could do a figure 8 if you wanted to be different. Pass one last lake to your right and you'll start to descend thru a corridor of large talus and boulders, the path is a little more difficult to follow, however you see your target in front of you, Helen Lake. Whitney Portal Road closed at the upper gate. Continue on the trail thru the meadow and start to work right. Conness and part of its glacier. If you plan to backpack (it's a nice easy backpack, great for beginners), you'll need a wilderness permit. Find yourself hiking among the "Swiss Alps of Oregon" on this incredible multi-day backpacking trip. Trip Report. On the north side of the trail there were a few snow crossings, still nothing crazy but still, something to note. If you are simply too tired or two awed to walk your way back, there is a water shuttle that will ferry you back and forth across the lake. : 11,700 ft. El. Get notified by e-mail when a reply is posted. Saddlebag trail also needs wilderness permit for backpacking, however there are no permit quotas. Hummingbird Lake has a nice running stream where you can get some water for the return journey. Standing at the shores of Lake Helen, you'll see a small cascade across the shore and the walls of the canyon reach high into the sky. To start the hike head out of the parking lot and cross the road and cross the dam to your left. The coordinates for this turnoff are N37 56.300, W119 14.889. Join my niece Christine and I on a 3 night/4 day backpacking trip in Washington's Olympic National Park. Cars are OK on this road but it is a little bumpy. Twenty Lakes Basin via Saddlebag Lake. The loop is 11 miles, though the hike can be shortened to nine miles by taking water taxi run by Saddlebag Resort. Starting at Saddlebag Lake this trail is a non-quota trail so you don’t need a permit to backpack at this trailhead up till greenstone lake. Make your way around the right hand side of the lake and start to climb a bit. Just east of Yosemite National Park, Saddlebag Lake is popular for day hikes, fishing and backpacking. we picked up our permits from Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center in Lee Vining and set out to the trail head. You can do this loop clockwise, counterclockwise, or in a figure eight with very well-marked trails along most of the route. We took the opportunity to stop and jump in the lake. And we were going to start hiking on Saturday morning, so we were a little worried about getting a permit. Jul 13, 2020 - Backpacking or hiking the 20 Lakes Basin Loop in the Hoover Wilderness. We stopped here for lunch, perched on a boulder outcropping looking over a lake. Something to also note is that North Peak, Mount Conness, and Conness lake are all part of the Harvey Monroe Hall Natural Area is limited to day use so no camping or fires in that area. Lots of water to filter from Show 9 More Check-Ins Aug 15, 2018 Rob Luskey. At the junction, the trail climbs slightly, take it easy if you've not acclimated to this elevation (sometimes you forget that you are at 10,000 ft!). Giving you an opportunity to visit these pristine alpine lakes at magic hour. Loss: 12,725 ft. This trail starts at just above 10,000 ft but is relatively flat, undulating a few hundred feet of elevation during the hike. The walk takes you thru deep canyons with walls of red rock rising up around you. If it isn’t obvious there’s a lot of water on this hike and don’t often recommend this but if you have a water filter this is a two-liter hike. Twenty Lakes Basin and Saddlebag Lake Loop is a 7.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Lee Vining, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Be careful in this area, the rocks are much steeper and if wet, can be slippery. The water was crystal blue (with polarizing lenses you can see to the bottom). Every March of every year, the permit process begins. Camp 5 - Titcomb Lakes or Seneca Lake. The administrative closure of the Seven Lakes Basin/High Divide area in Olympic National Park for July 9 through July 20 is no longer in effect. Starting at Saddlebag Lake this trail is a non-quota trail so you don’t need a permit to backpack at this trailhead up till greenstone lake. This trip is just east of Tioga Pass in the Inyo National Forest. Off Trail %: 30%. The next lake on the trail one that we could see from our campground was Shamrock Lake. Guided Seven Lakes Basin backpacking trips are available, and are a stress-free, exciting way to do this trip. It’s in the basin of North Peak and hosts many lakes and some of the best camping on the whole of the trail. Permit Info: Backpackers in the Little Jamison Creek and Smith Lake area should have a California State Campfire Permit for their camp stove. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail. Shamrock Lake is by many people the highlight of the trip and it did not disappoint. Reservations can be made on-line on Reserve America or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Difficulty: Strenuous. This saves you about a mile each way and costs, I believe $5 round trip for backpackers. We chose to do the hike thru the 20 lakes basin counter clock wise because we planned to camp and the best camping is on the left side of the basin which we'd reach at the end of our day. These lakes are Hummingbird Lake and Z Lake. You hike right on the shores of Lake Helen and then head up a small pass. To start the hike head out of the parking lot and cross the road and cross the dam to your left. Backpacking in Lakes Basin Recreation Area is allowed … 2-night backpacking trip around Saddlebag Lake and 20 Lakes Basin with a day trip to Conness Lakes. Walking along the rocky path of Saddlebag Lake is maybe the worst part of the trail but is still a beautiful place to breathe in the 10,000 ft air. South Lake Road closed at Bishop Creek Lodge. Forest Orders 03-20-15 and 19-20-11 that closed Desolation to overnight camping have been rescinded. This can be a pretty popular trail by wilderness standards, but juxtaposed against where we had been five hours earlier, the trail felt our own private spot in paradise. The tour company handles permits, gear, transportation, meals, and provides a professional guide so you can focus 100% on … High water at stream crossings can be a problem in May and early June. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. You'll have to drop down and cross the small stream that feeds Shamrock. The administrative closure of the Seven Lakes Basin/High Divide area July 9 through July 20 is no longer in effect. We did however enjoy the waterfalls and had a nice lunch looking over the creek and valley below. Saddlebag Lakes, 20 lakes basin, Inyo Natnl Forest on the east side of Yosemite. Backpacking to Eight Lakes Basin - Aug 18-19, 2018. Finally, you'll level out again and this is Ice Lakes Basin, proper. While we’re talking about camping there are no fires allowed in 20 lakes basin and you are required to have a bear bin for all of your food. Check road closures and weather forecast before choosing a trip in winter or spring. Your email address will not be published. Some of our most beautiful pictures were taken on this day in the early am. You'll climb a bit on the rocks, be careful, the rocks can be slippery. It’s an algae that grows on the snow and is toxic if ingested. At the trail T, go right. Standing at the top you'll be looking down on Shamrock Lake. Explore Desolation Wilderness Permit in Eldorado National Forest, California with Recreation.gov. Nature calling? The best camping is around Cascade Lake although you will have company (this is a popular spot to stop and camp). It’s called watermelon snow, pink snow, or blood snow. If you are backpacking to 20 lakes basin you need to get a permit for the hover wilderness. 20 Lakes Basin Trail Loop. One of my favorite parts of this trail is the west side of Steelhead Lake. This stretch of the Eagle Cap Wilderness aptly lives up to its nickname, with beautiful valleys, vistas and alpine lakes reflecting surrounding granite peaks. We set up camp and relaxed. Ending Trailhead - Elkhart Lake (requires shuttle) SHUTTLE INFO. Jul 27, 2020; Campgrounds closed in Inyo National Forest Jul 08, 2020; … At the stream crossing, you enter the 75 square miles Hoover Wilderness. Smoke Oct 06, 2020; Easy/moderate day hikes? Seven Lakes Basin is a quota area and permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis for backpacking trips during this timeframe. You'll pass a series of small lakes that in the later months are all but dried up. Rock Creek Road closed at the Pack Station gate. Permits will be available in person beginning the day before the trip. Required fields are marked *. We then worked our way to the way left hand side of Saddlebag Lake and took the opposite trail. So I loaded my pack and set off for the Eight Lakes Basin solo. We got the worst campsite out of the whole trek. You hike high above on the west side of Odell Lake and level out to see Hummingbird Lake. Our plan was to hike into 20 Lakes Basin from Saddlebag Lake. This stream crossing is where Lundy Lake and Waterfall gets fed from. 20 Lakes Basin Hiking Detail, hiking trail near Lee Vining, Mammoth Lake and Yosemite National Park, California. From here the views start to get more spectacular. There is also a water taxi from the marina at the Saddlebag Lake Resort that goes to the far end of the lake. Last summer I spent a month of sleeping in the woods on various adventures; a number of these adventures included exploring Eight Lakes Basin. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Weather permitting; camping is available from June through November. This hike can be done as a day hike or do what we did and take your time on a 1 or 2-day backpacking trip. This is a great point to just absorb. We decided to spend a little longer by hiking the east end of Saddlebag Lake and it was a great decision. GPS information for the complete hike is attached (see download GPS). The daytime temps were in the mid-’70s getting down to the ’30s at night. August 23-25, 2008. You'll come to a T in the trail. Mammoth Lakes Basin and Mammoth Scenic Loop closed. Length 7.7 miElevation gain 918 ftRoute type Loop HIGHLIGHTS: Some … Your message. You just might feel like you’ve tiptoed into the living room of the mountain gods. Copyright © trailpeak.com & trailpeak.ca 2020. Duration: 6 Days. Preview. The beginning of the hike takes you along the shoreline of Saddlebag lake. The loop is 41.4 miles long, and climbs from 5035' (1535m) at the trailhead to 11,978' (3651m) at Glen Pass. Here you can choose to continue straight or go on the west side of the lake. The east side of the lake is much more forested and shaded then the barren and rocky west side. I for one have a hard time passing up a midday soak in an alpine lake. Stay to the right across the bridge and follow the road approx 2 miles (it switches back and forth from paved to dirt).The backpackers parking lot is on your right side (it's a heck of a turn, keep your eyes peeled). Bishop forums . Hiking around the basin there is a trail that heads down the north side of Steelhead Lake. Sabrina Lake and North Lake Roads closed at Aspendell gate. I built a few cairns to help others keep on the trail and do as little damage as possible to the surrounding area. There are great places to camp here if you are ready to take a break or you can continue on the path up to Steel Head, Little Steel Head, Cascade and a variety of other Lakes. High Divide Seven Lakes Basin Permit. All forums . Look no further than the 20 Lakes basin trail loop. Green River Lakes to Titcomb Basin to Elkhart Trailhead. Reply to: 20 lakes basin backpacking. Min El. Open Season: The recreation area is open year around. Road to Saddlebag lake … Backpacking trip to the Nine Lakes Basin in Sequoia National Park. At the intersections of a lot of trails back at the north end of Saddlebag Lake, there is a ranger house and a nice beach. There are very few trails in Inyo National forest that does not limit number of permits per day. Please login and have credits (add 1 to get 3) or be a subscriber in order to download GPS. Trails extend into what is commonly called the 20 Lakes Basin. Hike Description: A nice description of the hike can be found as Saddlebag 20 Lakes Basin,Yosemite. If you plan to backpack (it's a nice easy backpack, great for beginners), you'll need a wilderness permit. April 20, 2020. Rising up from the lake you'll see North Peak and its ridge. Permits will be available in person beginning the day before the trip. Top 16 things to do in Mammoth Lakes, California, 20 Lakes Basin Trail Loop Hike/Backpacking Trip, Top 17 Things To Do Joshua Tree National Park – Best of Joshua Tree NP. Gold, Goose and Haven Lakes are designated fee campsites. More on that later…. Twenty Lakes Basin Loop Trail is a 7.8 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Lee Vining, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. It’s hard to tell here but there is a slight pink hue to the snow. I guess we should also talk about water here. From this camping spot, we did a few day hikes one of which was to see the Lundy Canyon waterfalls via Lundy Canyon Trail…  I will say this is an extremely difficult hike that we did not fully complete. Sites are first come/first serve and also by reservation. From Yosemite take 120 east past Tioga Lake and look for the turn off to Saddlebag Lake on the left. Do I really have to leave this place, I keep asking myself. There was a bit of a scramble down to the stream below where you can tell the water level had been very high. We made it to the trailhead in a Subaru Impreza. Red Tape: Overnight camping requires a permit from Inyo NF. Glen Pass may be impassable to hikers until mid-late July and even later for stock. Pick a granite shelf on the northwest corner of the bigger (eastern) of the two lakes for your tent, and skip the fly on a clear night. Winter conditions result in restricted access. I will note that we were able to obtain a permit a few weeks before our trip, but it was slim pickings. Exclusive Travel Tips, Giveaways and Gear Reviews For The Active Traveler. : 6,650 ft. Max El. As you proceed you'll start to transition from red volcanic rock to alpine meadows (which the day of our hike was blooming with beautiful purple flowers - purple lupine I think). The best is shown here, Greenstone Lake created a beautiful reflection of North Peak. Ask a question Recent Conversations. Read our community guidelines. This is really the only kinda hill of the whole trip. Just outside of the Yosemite National Park and close to the town of Lee Vining in the Eastern Sierra is 20 Lakes Basin Trail. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Plan your hike in the fall for best chances for solitude, close encounters with wildlife, and have one of many alpine lakes to yourself. Camp 2 - Elbow Lake (side trip to Peak Lake) Camp 3 - Indian Basin via Indian Pass. No need to bring water to visit water. Seeking a slice of solitude on a summer weekend, we ventured up to Lake Sabrina on a Saturday morning for a quick getaway from LA. Trip Length: ~10 miles. We decided to go clockwise along the route to stare up at North Peak as we started the hike. But we're in no rush to leave, there are plenty more beautiful vistas to take in as we work our way back. How to get there: Rt. http://www.nps.gov/yose/trip/travel.htm. Just at the end of saddlebag lake, you continue straight until you reach greenstone lake which like many of the lakes in this area is filled with loads of Brook Trout. You can do this trail as a 7.8-mile loop but we decided to add an extra .7 miles to go around the other side of Saddlebag Lake. The path is easy to follow. Starting Trailhead - Green River Lakes. Saddlebag Lake is just few miles away from Yosemite National Park east entrance. This is a great place for lunch (make sure you have your mosquito repellent!). Jul 20, 2018 philip lz. Here is a link of someone that had better luck then we did finding the mine. Hiking with Sally from Saddlebag Lake through Twenty Lakes Basin Posted by: Candace Gregory August 20, 2017 0 9,277 Views It is hard to believe that it is the middle of August and the snow up at the higher elevations is really hanging in there. 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