5 Early Season Backpacking Trips You Should Be Booking Now in California
If you’re anything like us, come springtime you’ll be aching to get outside on your first backpacking trip of the season to take advantage of warming temperatures and longer, sunnier days. The first of the season is always a special one - legs aching, lungs burning and hearts bursting with happiness - but it can be challenging to choose a location as many destinations are blanketed in a deep snowpack well into the summer. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite early season trips that are typically below the snow line by the time late spring rolls around.
Grass Lake, Desolation Wilderness
Grass Lake is a low elevation lake nestled 3 miles into the Desolation Wilderness backcountry. The lakes sit at an elevation of 7,200 feet which is low relative to most alpine lakes in the Sierra. Grass Lake can be accessed from Glen Alpine Trailhead at the end of Glen Alpine Road which typically opens in April. The drive in alongside Fallen Leaf Lake is beautiful but the road is very narrow and requires decent clearance. The first mile of trail along the old road can be flooded with spring melt so choose footwear wisely. Crossing Glen Alpine Creek in the spring can be intense as the creek runs fast in the early season - cross with caution. Grass Lake can be used as a home base to hike deeper into Desolation Wilderness (Susie Lake, Heather Lake or even Lake Aloha) if the snowpack allows. There is dispersed camping available around the lake and many campsites offer a front row seat to pastel sunsets. Permits for this zone (zone 35) can be booked as far as 6 months in advance on recreation.gov.
Photo: JJ McNutt
Twin Lakes and George Lake, Kaiser Wilderness
Lower Twin Lake, Upper Twin Lake and George Lake are three beautiful alpine lakes tucked into the Kaiser Wilderness. The Twin Lakes sit an elevation of 8,630 feet and are more likely to be snow-free earlier in the season than George Lake (pictured above) which sits at 9,120 feet. These lakes can be accessed by Twin Lakes Trailhead or Sample Meadow Trailhead. Both trailheads require driving beyond Huntington Lake - the lower gate at Huntington Lake typically opens by May 20 and the upper gate opens on or before Memorial Day weekend. Twin Lakes Trailhead is off of Kaiser Pass Road and Sample Meadow Trailhead is off of Forest Road 7S05 which can be more treacherous to reach if the dirt road is wet with spring melt. The hiking distance to the lakes is similar from both trailheads so we recommend hiking in from Twin Lakes Trailhead if a permit is available. Sierra National Forest permits go live on recreation.gov on January 5th, 2022. Permits are available on a rolling 6 month basis which means all spring permits will become available that day. On recreation.gov the permit for Twin Lakes Trailhead is entry point ‘Potter Pass’ and the Sample Meadow Trailhead is entry point ‘Sample Meadow’.
Photo: Andrei Stanescu
Lake Vernon and Rancheria Falls Loop, Yosemite National Park
This loop is located in the Hetch Hetchy region of Yosemite National Park, a region which offers the longest hiking season due to it’s low elevation and a relief from the ultra-crowded areas of the park. The route is a hidden gem with expansive reservoir views, cascading waterfalls (spring is peak waterfall season!) and dazzling alpine lakes and is typically completed over 3 days. The route sets off from the Rancheria Falls Trailhead located at the O'Shaughnessy Dam at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Hetch Hetchy Road and the park entrance station have seasonal hours corresponding roughly with daylight hours and there is no access to the trailhead when the road is closed. Backpackers can dispersed camp along the route at Lower Frog Creek, Laurel Lake, Lake Vernon, Tiltill Valley or Rancheria Falls. Permits for this area are already live for spring. All permitting happens through weekly lotteries on recreation.gov. If you missed the lottery for your desired dates, check available permits on recreation.gov as many were not claimed. If planning to hike clockwise toward Laurel Lake, book a permit for Beehive Meadows. If planning to hike counter-clockwise toward Tiltill Valley or Rancheria Falls, book a permit for Rancheria Falls.
Photo: Ryan Newman
Little Lakes Valley, John Muir Wilderness
Backpacking the Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes is a spectacular hike in the High Sierra wilderness that leads through a glacier carved valley filled with a beautiful chain of lakes. Backpackers will enjoy more than 8 picturesque alpine lakes, a valley framed by 13,000+ foot peaks towering in the distance and lush green meadows. While this magnificent hike is at a higher elevation (trailhead at 10,240 feet), the trail is often clear of snow before many other Eastern Sierra trails. The Little Lakes Valley trailhead is found at the end of Rock Creek Road which typically opens in May. Dispersed camping is available along the trail and most backpackers choose to camp near the Gem Lakes. Permits can be booked 6 months in advance of desired trip dates on recreation.gov.
Dinkey Lakes, Dinkey Lakes Wilderness
A backpacking trip into the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness is another great early season trip option. The Dinkey Lakes and surrounding lakes are a series of high mountain lakes located within ~2 miles of one another. Island Lake is a favorite camping destination for solitude and beauty. The lakes can be reached by two different trailheads. The closest trailhead is Willow Meadow Trailhead but four wheel drive is strongly recommended as the road is gravel and dirt with endless potholes. The road is known to open as early as April but depends on snow conditions. Cliff Lake Trailhead is typically the second option, while a longer hike into the lakes it provides a paved road to the trailhead alongside the Courtright Reservoir. Unfortunately due to the 2020 Bullfrog Fire, this trailhead is currently closed. Sierra National Forest permits go live on recreation.gov on January 5th, 2022. Permits are available on a rolling 6 month basis which means all spring permits will become available that day.
Springtime trips require careful consideration as snowpack and water levels can be dangerous. The season’s snowpack is always a determining factor in road opening dates and snow-free trail dates. After a season of heavier than average snowfall, many of the trails listed above will not be accessible until later in the season. Always be aware that snow-free trails in the spring means higher, faster and more dangerous water crossings. Always connect with a ranger before an early season trip to determine conditions.