Help! Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. Whitney, the Inyo National Forest, the John Muir Wilderness, and the PCT! Start your journey at the Kearsarge Pass trailhead near the Onion Valley Campground. A few minutes after this shot was taken it rained for hours. 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. Whether you live in Southern California or are visiting and want to explore the great outdoors, you’re only a few hours away from some of the most epic hiking trails in California. In fact, this map shows the entire Rae Lakes Loop on the west side as well as Onion Valley to Kearsarge Pass on the east side. Rooms. It’s incredible to know that just on the other side of the ridge before you is the tallest peak in California, Mt. I recommend trekking poles if your knees tend to get agitated. © 2006-2020 SummitPost.org. I made changes to reflect your directions. 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. For some of these day-hikes, you’ll have to camp overnight to make the most of it so I will also be sharing campground info, but if you’re looking for alternate accommodations, definitely check out Airbnbs or hotels in the area. Flower Lake is less than a mile away from Gilbert lake and you can do some fishing here (must have a fishing license), but keep in mind that no campfires are allowed here so no cooking your trout over a cozy fire. I'm planning on using this as an exit for a hike on the JMT/PCT and would hopefully be able to hitchhike into Independence. Luggage Storage: $5/day. The most prominent feature of the west side are the Kearsarge Pinnacles and Kearsarge Lakes directly to the southwest. Room 1: Adults. Outdoor adventure and responsible travel while on a budget. 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. (36), Climber's Log Entries For example, the From Highway 395, in Independence, CA: Turn west on Market Street. Re: Question about the land near the Onion Valley trailhead. A boat-taxi across the lake is available from the trailhead in the summer. Kearsarge Pass itself is the gateway to many peaks, lakes, rock pinnacles and a rock dome in the back country. Larry Newman on Surviving Loneliness Solo-Hiking the John Muir Trail; Onion Valley ReSupply: Kearsarge Pass | Alone on the JMT on Squirrel Tales and Gear Fails; AloneontheJMT.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com . Thanks so much for the info! 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. But I have read that rangers strip those boxes out now and not to count on that. The lower one passes by Bullfrog Lake, the upper bypasses the lake. The Onion Valley trailhead for Kearsarge Pass and the trail to Golden Bear Lake is 15 miles west of Independence, off Highway 395. Onion Valley is about 15 miles west of in downtown Independence, at an elevation of about 9,600 feet. The rest of the way down to Onion Valley Trailhead felt like death by a billion switchbacks. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Campground reservations are $20/night and can be made, here. 0-17. Enjoy plenty of lake views on your trek up, as well as the awesome views all around once you reach the top. A lover of the outdoors, beautiful landscapes and different cultures, she's been on the road for the last 6 months in backpacking Southeast Asia and Argentina. Any information appreciated. Independence is 43 miles south of Bishop and 225 miles north of Los Angeles. Where to Camp When Hiking from Onion Valley. The main trail rises gently for some one and a half miles to the first lake, Little Pothole Lake. Am looking to resupply some friends who are doing the PCT and will be near the pass in late June. Another one half of a mile brings you to Gilbert Lake with many campsite possibilities. The first part of the trail is a steep, treacherous decent, so use caution. Continue hiking past Heart Lake to a long traversing part of the trail heading west and your first view of Kearsarge Pass. If you enjoyed this post, why don’t you follow Adrift Anywhere on Facebook or subscribe to get updates on budgeting tips, travel advice and tips! "A tautology is a thing that is tautological.". The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. Single way transport ( Between Onion Valley and our motel. Experience Level: Somewhat experienced. The last major landmark is Big Pothole Lake deep below your feet before reaching Kearsarge Pass some 4.7 miles from Onion Valley. Bob Burd. Onion Valley Trail - This trail heads north from Forest Service Road 555BC, also referred to as the the Scott Mountain Lookout Road. 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). Day One – Onion Valley Trailhead to Kearsarge Pass and Charlotte Lake. 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. It can be, but the difficulty comes about if you haven’t had a chance to acclimate to the altitude. The Onion Valley parking lot is located 7 miles off the John Muir Trail – a factor to consider when planning your meals since you will want a little bit extra food for those extra miles. The hike to Flower Lake is a gradual incline of switchbacks and at any view point, you have 360 degrees of epic scenery. This small pond is easily accessible from the trail. Turn west on Onion Valley road (Market Street in town) at the traffic light in downtown Independence. Onion Valley Trailhead is in Inyo County and has an elevation of 9203 feet. Wowza. Whitney, which is on my hiking bucket list. Thank you for the comment hightinerary. A short trip up to Onion Valley Trailhead just to give you an idea of the road and the area. The road is usually open from May to November, depending on snow conditions. Check-in Saturday. The lakes you come cross are Lower Pothole Lake, Gilbert Lake and finally, Flower Lake. Yes, the map shows another 12 miles west beyond the intersection with JMT. In short, you can camp out on any Bureau of Land and Management area without a reservation and usually for free, but some locations do charge a small fee ($3-$15/day) depending on the location. That said, I was happy with our decision to stop there. 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. Top. Or how is the walk? I’ve hiked mountains at similar elevations but never experienced altitude sickness before so it was unexpected. The goal of this guide is to expose you to beautiful trails you didn’t realize were you in your backyard. (It is about 4 miles to the pass from the trailhead.) So these are the types of people you come across on the trail. Onion Valley Campgroundhas 30 campsites. They sell these all over, especially if you check the mountaineering shops in Lone Pine or Bishop. There is a running creek, a campground, many bear lockers and bathroom … In my new series “Ultimate Day-Hike Guide within 4 hrs of Los Angeles” I share 5 of my favorite hikes that are … you guessed it, within 4 hours of Los Angeles! There are several lakes along the way but resupply water before Heart Lake. Onion Valley Trailhead to Flower Lake The first day-hike in this series is a hike to Flower Lake outside of Independence, California in Inyo County in the Eastern Sierras. All Rights Reserved. There are different resources to find BLM campsites on BLM.gov but I found our camping spot from https://freecampsites.net/, which gives you precise coordinates to input into your GPS. Some distance before reaching the next major lake, you will be passing by some steep rock buttresses. Tehipite Valley Trail: Begins at Wishon Reservoir. Once over the first ridge, the trail ascends to a series of five lakes. Age at check-in: Child 1: Show deals. 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. Finally back in Lone Pine – eating breakfast at The Grill and a nice view of Mt. The trail begins at Onion Valley, elevation 9,185 feet. We started a conversation with them, and it happens that they were actually thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Extra Parking: $5/day Limited supply available. Onion Valley/Kearsarge Pass Trailhead Hiking Trail or Trailhead Fall colors blanket Onion Valley, which is just below the John Muir Wilderness Area. I assume it is the Kearsarge Pass one that they have, and that it continues to the west? Laundry:$15. It was very frustrating to see how close the parking lot was but to be still so far away. The Kearsarge Pass Trail junction is about 70 miles from Muir Trail Ranch. A 13.2-mile paved road connects Onion Valley to the tiny town of Independence (elevation 3,930 feet; population 669) on Highway 395, the major transportation route on the eastern side of the Sierra. Day-Hike Guide: Onion Valley to Flower Lake in Inyo National Forest, The Baja California Road Trip: La Mision, Mexico. (5), Additions & Corrections The first day-hike in this series is a hike to Flower Lake outside of Independence, California in Inyo County in the Eastern Sierras. Of course, after chatting a bit, we found out that is also a Humboldt State alum (WOOT WOOT.) Be mindful of COVID-19 recommendations from the CDC. Most of the sites have good privacy and shade from trees. Explore Onion Valley in Inyo National Forest, California with Recreation.gov. Onion Valley Campgroundis at the end of Onion Valley Road in the Inyo National Forest, 14 miles west of Independence. 2012 SEKI Onion Valley to Rae Lakes 5 Day 38 mile solo hike from the Onion Valley trailhead in Independence to the Rae Lakes area and back ...continued 2012 Yosemite Mono Meadow to … The ONION VALLEY TRAILHEAD is 15 miles west of Independence. This trail is one of two you can take from what I researched without a wilderness permit from the Onion Valley trailhead. In the spring, Onion Valley is popular with backcountry skiers and snowboarders. These maps are really great because they are cheep, water proof and light. Onion Valley Trailhead: 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. From the Pass you get a breathtaking view of the peaks and lakes on the west side. The 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. My pleasure, glad to help. Length 26 miElevation gain 5259 ftRoute type Out & back It drops down and crosses Lightning Creek where it joins the Lightning Basin Trail before it climbs up to the ridge and joins with the Alley Trail. Hiked up about 2.5 miles to a signed junction to the left to my destination. Follow the marked trail toward Kearsarge Pass. What to bring on your hike: Water, water purifier, insect repellent, trekking poles, lunch, snacks, windbreaker with a hoodie, sunglasses. Looking downhill from this point, you may see a running creek and a small pond. Onion Valley Road is a 26 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Independence, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. © Susan Aksu Movsesian | Adrift Anywhere, 2014-2018. 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 is primarily used for hiking, camping, and fishing and is best used from May until September. Part 1 – Hiking to Flower Lake in the Eastern Sierras. 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. (14 ). To reach the main Onion Valley trailhead (for Golden Trout Lake, Kearsarge Pass, and Robinson Lake / University Pass) follow the pavement all the way to the parking circle at waypoint ONIONT (about 3/4 mile past the informal campsite mentioned above). Once you have your permit in hand, drive to the Onion Valley Trailhead (see map), which is about 15 miles west of the town of Independence, CA and sits at an elevation of 9185 feet. Onion Valley Campground to Flower Lake is a 4.3 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Independence, California that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. There is still some snow on the mountains but no need for special equipment. This would not be the last time I would hate switchbacks in California. The pass has a wonderful view to the east that includes the Pinnacles, Kearsarge Lakes and Bullfrog Lake. Images Hikers ready to start the John Muir Trail! First campsite - Blaney Meadow (10 miles). Shortly after the trailhead the trail to Golden Trout Lake separates from the Kearsarge Pass Trail marked by an old wooden sign. Enter a destination or property name. 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. Onion Valley has a campground (no amenities), parking area, pit toilets and several bear-proof food boxes. There is a running creek, a campground, many bear lockers and bathroom facilities near the trailhead. Flower Lake may very well be your last source for water until you get well into the west side of the Pass. Thank you for visiting and the vote. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. In total, we hiked to three alpine lakes, each below the summit of a young alpine mountain. Older sources (Wenk) mention dropping food in the bear boxes at Onion Valley or having the Mount Williamson hotel drop some for you. Enjoying the views of the mountains will make this section of the trail feel less tedious. The Onion Valley Trailhead hike to Flower Lake is an alpine adventure that has it all: Access to Mt. I will grab that map. The Onion Valley Trailhead hike to Flower Lake is an alpine adventure that has it all: Access to Mt. Published on Jun 20, 2018 Did a 6.5 mile day hike from the Onion Valley trailhead on June 14th. This hike can take 3-4 hours depending on your pace and fitness level. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Yes, there are sections on this trail that are steep and gravel covered. In terms of views/lakes per mile, right from the parking lot, it's hard to beat. 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. It's best not to count on this water source as the location may be difficult to find. It reminded me so much of the alpine lakes in Patagonia, Argentina near Bariloche. On a busy day, I think there are many people who come up to Onion Valley for fishing or day hiking. Category: 2016, 2016 BACKPACK TRIPS, Backpack gear. 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. but it is a long way down, about 1,335′ down. University Peak . Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. In addition, this pass is an excellent way to connect with the famous and much sought after John Muir and Pacific Crest Trail. Onion Valley Trailhead is close to Onion Valley Campground. If you are covered up and wearing repellent, June/July is a great time to be in the mountains. Part of what makes the Southern Sierra so special is how easy it is to access from Los Angeles. I agree 100%. The last few seconds of visible light after a huge thunderstorm on University Peak. At the trailhead is a hikers parking lot, vault toilets, bear boxes, and usually piped water. Hotels; Hotels in United States of America; Hotels in California; Independence Hotels; Hotels near Onion Valley Trailhead, Independence; Find a place to stay. Onion Valley Trailhead resupply We are trying to resupply with an absolute minimum of Covid 19 exposure. There are campsites at Onion Valley but you’ll have to book out in advance for a weekend reservation (weekend warriors understand). The trail starts immediately upward on long switchbacks. link) to the original content. Onion Valley starts at 9,200′ and is surrounded by jagged alpine ridges and several streaming waterfalls around all sides. There is even a campground right by the trailhead if you arrive late. This is one of the most traveled trails I have seen in the Sierras. After a short walk, you will see a sign for Mattlock Lake with an arrow pointing toward a visible lake. 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 They were very encouraging and highly recommending to do it! Elevation: 10,535′Elevation Gain: 1,335′Mountain Range: Eastern Sierra Nevada MountainsLength: 6 miles Duration: 3 hours. First one needs to turn west on Market Street, which becomes Onion Valley Road. The mountain views along the trail are spectacular and the camping options on the first half of the route are plentiful. Many who choose Onion Valley Campgroundenjoy photography, fishing, and simply soaking in the magnificent scenery. John Muir Trail, Evolution Valley, and Goddard Canyon access point. Hiking down toward Onion Trailhead. Distance: 8.5 miles Time: 6.25 hours Elevation gain: 2,566 ft. Check-out Sunday. Bullfrog Lake has been closed to camping for many years because of overuse. Very strenuous climb into and out of Tehipite. A 3 hour drive gets you to some of the best hiking in the world. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' So lush!! To say that it’s dreamlike is an understatement. Are you preparing for a hike in Argentina or Montenegro? We were able to snag a spot for a future trip that I’m looking forward to that’s right outside the trailhead. I went to Golden trout and early on in that trail there was some fairly difficult elevation gain coupled with loose gravel areas. Forum Moderator Posts: 4258 Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2001 10:42 pm Thanked: 566 times in 292 posts. Stay safe and enjoy your hike. The trail to Kearsarge Pass continues with a sharp turn to the right before turning back toward your destination. Day One Stats. Yes, the "Kearsarge Pass-Rae Lakes Loop" map is the one I was looking at. If going overnight: Everything you need for an overnight stay. Whitney out the front door. When to Hike: Summer is a time for pesky mosquitos to flourish, especially around the lakes and streams which can make the hike feel less enjoyable. Coming soon - Zero Carbon Shuttle! alpine lakes in Patagonia, Argentina near Bariloche. This extremely popular trail is only 4.7 miles long and gains about 2,660 feet in elevation. Overview Onion Valley Campground is a campsite inside of Inyo National Forest. Compassion and Bereavement Fare for Emergency Last Minute Flights, Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees. Is the trail to Flower Lake from Onion Valley trailhead difficult? Are there spots like that on way to Kearsarge Pass? After getting up early on Saturday morning, Callie and I found ourselves at the Onion Valley trailhead at 10:30AM with a permit to go up to Matlock Lake for the night.