Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Backpacking Trip this summer...

Hello community of fine folks,

My dad and I are looking at doing a multi-day peak-bagging trip in the Sierra this summer. Looking at myriad ways to get to Whitney(out and back).

I have some ideas, but I have a few questions.

I'm a habitual east-sider so I'd like to try from the west. I'd like to go via Bubbs Creek (I did the JMT so I'm familiar from Vidette Meadows to Whitney if I choose that path).

I imagine Bubbs Creek is gorgeous but probably home to a blitzkrieg of mosquitoes. Is that so? Also how is Junction meadow as a campsite for the first night?

I'd also like the chance to hit some peaks between North Guard and Thunder on the GWD. How are East Lake and Reflection Lake as campsites?

Lastly, I'm interested in going over Harrison Pass as an alternative to Forester, what kind of condition is that path nowadays.

Oh and how is the fishing (bait n lure, we don't yet fly-fish).

Thanks Pals.

I too love the Easter side of the Sierras…..this coming year will mark my 50th year of hiking in the Sierras.

Your idea of starting at Onion Valley and heading over Kearsarge Pass down to Vidette Meadow is a great starting point. I have hiked to Whitney many times from Onion Valley and have found that there are some interesting areas to explore.

Consider Center Basin, just off the JMT. Prior to 1932 the JMT travelled through Center Basin over Junction Pass down to the Shepherd Creek trail and up and over Shepherd Pass. I have done this trip several times (I now just hike up to the middle lake at 12,000 in Center Basin and day hike Junction Pass). For your info, if hiking Forester Pass, looking East, the long ridge in view contains the trail to Junction Pass……great views looking across to Forester from there.

By the way, when are you planning to go?

Obviously at the top of Shepherd Pass, you have Tyndall and Williamson…….

From there you can either hike over Rockwell Pass to Wright Lakes or head towards Tyndall Creek, and then up toward Lake South America and Harrison Pass. I have never been over it.
I have been at East Lake to climb Brewer.

By the way, I live in Saugus/Santa Clarita area (Plum Canyon), I can send you photos or answer any other questions you have.

paul

Hah, Thanks Paul!

I'm looking at Bubbs Creek, not Onion Valley.

I'm also looking to avoid the JMT/PCT just to do something new to me

I like the sound of Junction Pass, but I'm not familiar with Rockwell. Is that in between Barnard/Trojan/Versteeg peaks?

Just after going over Shepherds Pass heading West you will see a hikers path going South, Rockwell Pass, that takes you into the upper Wright Basin, but I doubt this is what you want since you are going up Bubbs Creek and not Onion Valley or probably Shepherds Passes.

In a year this dry, Bubbs Creek should be free of Mosquitoes by the end of July. Earlier could be a problem; in 2010 I camped at Lower Vidette at the end of July and had to deal with hordes of mosquitoes.

Junction Meadow on Bubbs Creek has a lot of campsites.

East Lake has a great campsite at the outlet end (complete with bear box) and more good camping at the inlet end. At Lake Reflection, the only good camping is right by the large outlet area that is semi-separate from the main part of the lake. It's a good spot, though.

East Lake has good fishing, and Lake Reflection has really good fishing. I had the best luck with gold-colored spinners.

My mistake.....

I assume you are travelling up Bubb's Creek from Kings Canyon, Road's End?

No problem....done that. I would still head up Bubbs, bypass East Creek and head over Junction Pass..... then at, Shepherd's Pass, head down to Tyndall Creek. At Tyndall, take the trail to Lake South America and over Harrison Pass. I recommend this way since it is far easier to descend Harrison from Lake South America. Then, once you junction with the trail between Lake Reflection and East, you heads on down to East Lake. Exit East down to Bubbs (Junction Meadow)and hike out.

Sorry about throwing in Rockwell Pass.....I used that pass to get to Wright Lakes and then cross country to Wallace Lakes.

The other alternative if you are hiking out Cedar Grove is up East Creek, over Harrison, down to Junction on the Kern (or over Forester Pass on your return), over Colby and Avalanche Pass and back out Bubbs. Except, Colby is really tough out of Junction Meadows, not fun.

Just ideas for you consideration.

Paul