Onion Valley Trailhead resupply We are trying to resupply with an absolute minimum of Covid 19 exposure. The Onion Valley Trailhead hike to Flower Lake is an alpine adventure that has it all: Access to Mt. A short trip up to Onion Valley Trailhead just to give you an idea of the road and the area. Or how is the walk? Part of what makes the Southern Sierra so special is how easy it is to access from Los Angeles. Compassion and Bereavement Fare for Emergency Last Minute Flights, Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees. This lake is not easily accessible from the trail. (It is about 4 miles to the pass from the trailhead.) That said, I was happy with our decision to stop there. How heavily used is this trailhead? There are several lakes along the way but resupply water before Heart Lake. Most of the sites have good privacy and shade from trees. Is the trail to Flower Lake from Onion Valley trailhead difficult? Follow the marked trail toward Kearsarge Pass. From the town of Independence, along Highway 395 in California, drive some 13 miles west on Market Street that soon becomes Onion Valley Road to the trailhead. They were very encouraging and highly recommending to do it! Forum Moderator Posts: 4258 Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2001 10:42 pm Thanked: 566 times in 292 posts. Kearsarge Pass Trail is one of the easiest and shortest ways to connect Inyo National Forest to Kings Canyon National Park in the Sierra Nevada Range. While Onion Valley Trailhead is not difficult to get in or out of by car, I recommend getting an early headstart on this trail to avoid a major crowd and bad weather conditions. Bob Burd. (36), Climber's Log Entries When we got closer to 10,000′ in elevation I had difficulty breathing and had to take a minute to get myself together before getting to the first lake. Any information appreciated. They sell these all over, especially if you check the mountaineering shops in Lone Pine or Bishop. What to bring on your hike: Water, water purifier, insect repellent, trekking poles, lunch, snacks, windbreaker with a hoodie, sunglasses. Enjoying the views of the mountains will make this section of the trail feel less tedious. John Muir Trail, Evolution Valley, and Goddard Canyon access point. There is a running creek, a campground, many bear lockers and bathroom … Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. It can be, but the difficulty comes about if you haven’t had a chance to acclimate to the altitude. link) to the original content. The first day-hike in this series is a hike to Flower Lake outside of Independence, California in Inyo County in the Eastern Sierras. For example, the Onion Valley Campgroundis at the end of Onion Valley Road in the Inyo National Forest, 14 miles west of Independence. This small pond is easily accessible from the trail. Yes, there are sections on this trail that are steep and gravel covered. Of the three lakes, my favorite one is Gilbert Lake. Your first challenge will be climbing the 11,760ft pass. Available for overnight guests) : $40 . I'd hope to hitchhike the Onion Valley road to the trailhead, but if i couldn't, i could at least drop pack and make an easy-ish walk of it. Many parties traveling on the Pacific Crest Trail use the Keasarge Pass to Onion Valley Trail for resupplying and resting before they continue on their journey. The Onion Valley trailhead for Kearsarge Pass and the trail to Golden Bear Lake is 15 miles west of Independence, off Highway 395. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. This was the highlight of the hike so really, I like to call this my “hike to Gilbert Lake.” The photos will speak for themself, but still, photos don’t reveal the true magnitude of this beauty that is less than a 4-hour drive from my driveway in Los Angeles. This quiet campground is set amidst breathtaking scenery of rugged mountain peaks, thick forests and waterfalls in the Onion Valley area of the eastern Sierra N A boat-taxi across the lake is available from the trailhead in the summer. Backpacking Onion Valley to Whitney Portal – John Muir Trail Section Hike | This backpacking trail is one of the most amazing and challenging trails in the Sierra Nevada. Onion Valley/Kearsarge Pass Trailhead Hiking Trail or Trailhead Fall colors blanket Onion Valley, which is just below the John Muir Wilderness Area. Set up camp near … Length 26 miElevation gain 5259 ftRoute type Out & back Elevation: 10,535′Elevation Gain: 1,335′Mountain Range: Eastern Sierra Nevada MountainsLength: 6 miles Duration: 3 hours. Laundry:$15. "A tautology is a thing that is tautological.". At the trailhead is a hikers parking lot, vault toilets, bear boxes, and usually piped water. Many of my favorite California trails are in northern California, but they’re not realistic for weekend trips out of Los Angeles especially if you want to hit a trail that’s at least 6-8 miles long. The traffic was a combination of day hikers and backpackers looking to make their way up to different points: Golden Trout Lake, Kearsarge Pass, Mt. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Susan Aksu Movsesian and AdriftAnywhere.com with the appropriate and specific direction (i.e. An overnight at Matlock Lake was how I introduced my young children to backpacking. Re: Question about the land near the Onion Valley trailhead. John Muir Trail Special #1 Whitney Portal to Tuolumne Meadows $320 first 2 persons $60 for each additional passenger. The first part of the trail is a steep, treacherous decent, so use caution. Onion Valley is about 15 miles west of in downtown Independence, at an elevation of about 9,600 feet. Make your way back down for some more beautiful lake views, including Bullfrog Lake (no camping allowed, but a great spot to fill up on water). Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' The mountain views along the trail are spectacular and the camping options on the first half of the route are plentiful. We camped at a BLM site just below Onion Valley which is great because there are endless campsites, but there are a few negative factors: little to no shade (mostly no shade), no access to restrooms and the road is a little rugged. I agree 100%. Going back down to the Onion Valley trailhead is easier since it’s completely downhill. Check-in Saturday. Whitney out the front door. Even when you get into the wilderness zone, campfires are prohibited, but you can use a portable camping stove with a fire permit, which is easy to get online – note: you must have it printed out. Begin hiking at the trailhead sign on the north end of the parking lot. Flower Lake may very well be your last source for water until you get well into the west side of the Pass. First campsite - Cow Meadow (4 miles) Inyo National Forest. The trail begins at Onion Valley, elevation 9,185 feet. © 2006-2020 SummitPost.org. Climbing rather steeply, the trail will give you an awe inspiring view of Heart Lake. Extra Parking: $5/day Limited supply available. Kearsarge Pass itself is the gateway to many peaks, lakes, rock pinnacles and a rock dome in the back country. Help! Onion Valley Campgroundhas 30 campsites. Aged 18+ Children. Age at check-in: Child 1: Show deals. Continue on shortly to the John Muir Trail intersection. If you are covered up and wearing repellent, June/July is a great time to be in the mountains. We started a conversation with them, and it happens that they were actually thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Summit. The ONION VALLEY TRAILHEAD is 15 miles west of Independence. Does anyone have a link to a good map (for purchase as well) or information on the distance to meet up with the PCT over Kearsarge Pass? Turn west on Onion Valley road (Market Street in town) at the traffic light in downtown Independence. The trail starts immediately upward on long switchbacks. Whitney, or hikers making their way in or out of an epic backpacking trip on either the John Muir Trail or the Pacific Coast Trail. I will grab that map. First one needs to turn west on Market Street, which becomes Onion Valley Road. Room 1: Adults. In addition, this pass is an excellent way to connect with the famous and much sought after John Muir and Pacific Crest Trail. After doing some exploring around Flower Lake, I recommend making your way back down to Gilbert Lake, perch upon a rock, have some lunch and take a nap. Single way transport ( Between Onion Valley and our motel. Hiking down toward Onion Trailhead. Mid to the end of September is a great time go as well as the foliage begins to turn into fall colors. Previously, I’ve camped on BLM land in Big Bear and Joshua Tree and it’s always good to know where they are if you’re camping on a busy weekend without reservations as a backup plan. There is still some snow on the mountains but no need for special equipment. This time of year and especially with COVID-19 and people wanting to take advantage of being outdoors, the trail was pretty busy. The trail to Kearsarge Pass continues with a sharp turn to the right before turning back toward your destination. Outdoor adventure and responsible travel while on a budget. After a short walk, you will see a sign for Mattlock Lake with an arrow pointing toward a visible lake. This is one of the most traveled trails I have seen in the Sierras. 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