Ideas for short overnight trip in May

[wyethia]

Hi all, I have been lurking for a while, enjoying everyone's wealth of information.

Backpacking has been out of bounds for me for a while due to a combination of factors including health. I am trying to dip my toe back in, but need to keep pack weight and mileage low.

I am looking for ideas for short overnight or 2 night trips in May within 1-2 days drive of Northern California. Solitude is nonnegotiable. I am good at navigation even without electronics. Most of my day hikes are off trail, but I don't want to get into rock climbing. Since my health is still variable, I prefer to avoid reservations.

I realize with the laundry list of conditions above, you might be rolling your eyes, but any ideas would be appreciated!

 

[RyanP]

The upper Escalante River (town of Escalante to Hwy12 bridge) would be a great choice (other than being far away from N CA); you could camp about half-way, near the confluence with Death Hollow, and do a side trip up Death Hollow. This would be good for either 1 or 2 nights, depending on how easy you want to take it. You'd probably want to carry enough water to get you to Death Hollow (several liters) since it's a dry year, but then you can get the nice clean water from DH, which will means your overall pack weight shouldn't be too bad. May is about perfect for that trip. For most good options in the mountains, you'll generally want to wait until mid-July or so at the earliest.

 

[wyethia]

Thanks! I will start digging up maps! I already have plans for June/July, June is somewhere in Nevada and July is White Mountains and maybe Cottonwood Pass if I can get my act together on the permit. I have to say, retirement really is very nice.

 

[wsp_scott]

Dusy or Humphrey Basin in the Sierra would be ideal. There are people in both, but you can find your own space especially if you avoid the weekend.

The area above Lake Sabrina in the Sierra is also pretty good. I did not see anyone once I got past Blue Lake. Biggest drawback for the Sierra is you need permits, but a walkup for one person with flexibility is probably not a problem.

There is a really nice group of people on High Sierra Topix (www.highsierratopix.com) that would love to give you suggestions.

 

[fossana]

May is generally a little early for the Sierra. What about the Trinity Alps? They're lower in elevation. I would say the Rubies, but the snowpack is big this year.

 

[balzaccom]

Yeah, most of the Sierra High Country passes will be under snow in May--in fact, some of the highway passes won't be open then. This year looks like a lower snowpack year, but these last storms certainly added to the snowpack. It all depend on how warm it gets between now and then. River and stream crossings will be quite high, as well.

Early season, we often look at the national forest roads that are closed. They are closed to vehicle traffic, but offer access to areas that get crowded in the summer, but in May have no people at all. HEre's a link to a few hikes that we have done early in the season, when the roads over Sonora Pass or Tioga Pass are closed:

Early Season Hikes | backpackthesierra.com

When the snow is still in the High Sierra. Our non-commercial site gives you everything you need to know about backpacking in the Sierra Nevad, from gear and techniques to destinations and philsophy

www.backpackthesierra.com