5 Day Sierra Loop Suggestion?

If you have 5 days you have the perfect length of time for Rae Lakes with a side trip into 60 Lakes Basin.

not that the world revolves around me (OR DOES IT?), but i think i did exactly what you’re looking for this september :)

Boy, there are a lot of options.  Do you include lollipop loops in your definition?

Twin Lakes to Benson lake via Kerrick Canyon and back via Matterhorn Canyon

Granite Creek up over Isberg Pass into Yosemite then back via Post Peak Pass.

Up Illilouette Canyon, over Red Peak Pass, and back down the Merced through Little Yosemite Valley.

Up Lyell Canyon, down Lewis Creek to Merced Lake, then back up Fletcher Creek to Rafferty and Tuolumne Meadows again.

Courtwright Reservoir to the Kings River, then up to Devils’ Punchbowl, around the Red Mountain Basin, and then back through Flemming Lake and Post Corral Meadows.

Lots of Versions of:  Up Rush Creek to the JMT, head south as far as you want to go, then back up the middle fork of the San Joaquin to Clark Lakes and Spooky Meadow back home.

Of course the North Lake to South Lake loop through Evolution Valley (needs a short shuttle).

Yes to the Rae Lakes loop…but lots of people there.

If you are really ambitious, head up Copper Creek, through Volcanic Lakes and Kennedy Creek, then back through Lewis Creek to Kings Canyon.

High Sierra Trail to Bearpaw Meadow, then over Elizabeth Pass into Roaring River, and back out through Sugarloaf Valley and Silliman Pass.  That’s lots of miles for you.

Mineral King over Sawtooth Pass, down into Big Arroyo, and back over Farewell Gap.

Horseshoe Meadows up over Siberian or New Army Pass, down Rock Creek to the Kern, and then back out through Bog Whitney Meadow.

We’ve done a bunch of these.  Some are 40 miles, some are 75 miles.  All are wonderful.

Thanks for the responses guys! Ben, your type of trip is exactly what I was looking at doing. Some easy off trail, but primarily on trail.

Paul, youre the man! Im gonna have to pull out the maps and go through all those options. Lollipop is definitely included in the definition. Im just trying to minimize the need for a long/any shuttle since I’ll only have one car.

I know its only December and I have a while till July/August but Im getting restless for bigger mountains (than Santa Barbara) and wanted to be sure I get permits when they open up.

You can check out some of those trips on our website:

backpackthesierra.com

Photos, too