Cartridge Creek Trail

The JMT used to go that way, over Cartridge Pass and down Cartridge Creek, before the CCC installed the switchbacks going over Mather Pass. The trail hasn't been maintained in something like 70 years. It's still visible in Lake Basin, but I've heard several people say that it has completely disappeared below Marion Lake. Dena, the backcountry ranger for LeConte Canyon, told me that she went up Cartridge Creek from the Middle Fork one time and that it was "horrible." It probably shouldn't be high on your list of places to visit…

hmmm – North Lake South Lake loop might be good

"North Lake South Lake loop might be good"

I recommend that one. It has the right degree of hard workout with the right degree of wilderness scenery, yet you are never too far from a main trail where somebody will find you if you were injured.

–B.G.–

But getting from North Lake to South Lake is a pain. Maybe there are enough vehicles happy to give ride to smelly hiker.

I have hitch hiked to close that loop. Was not hard to get a ride.

Billy

"getting from North Lake to South Lake is a pain"

Yes, it can be, in either direction.

Some folks have reported how easy it was. Others, like me, waited for a long time trying to get a ride from South Lake just to the 168 road junction. A second ride got me only to the North Lake turnoff, and I had to walk back uphill to North Lake. If you can time your hitch-hiking for when the fishermen are driving, you will likely have more success. Fishermen don't seem to mind smelly hikers.

–B.G.–

On my map there's a trail from Lake Sabrina to near South Lake. Maybe 10 miles total from North Lake to South Lake. I wonder if that trail is real.

"I wonder if that trail is real."

I believe that it has been reported here and at other places.

–B.G.–

One other question before I have over-analyzed this to death

What's the chance of finding a campsite at one of those campgrounds on the way to South Lake? Like Willow Campground?

At maybe 5PM mid week

At the last time that I was up there, you could find a spot in most of the campgrounds along that section of road from South Lake to 168. They filled up around sunset time. However, if you get there in the middle of prime season, all bets are off.

–B.G.–

Thanks for all the info everyone – maybe I'll do this in September – everywhere in Oregon and Washington is on fire currently : )

Jerry – I may be doing this hike in Sept if time and weather permits. I'm thinking about parking at South Lake and hiking over to North Lake. I've hiked in/out of South lake while doing the Sierra High Route before in mid Sept (Sept 12th) and the lot was totally packed. The views from Table Mountain (this is between South Lake and North Lake) are supposed to be awesome.

I have reservations for August 27, although I have just $11 invested into this so could easily change plans.

That's just what I was thinking – park at South, hike or hitch over to North – good acclimatization. Maybe camp the first night a mile or two up from North Lake? Going up Table and back down to below 10,000 to sleep over night should be good. Drink lots of water. Take Tylenol maybe. Whenever I go above 10,000 I get severe headache but I feel fine when I go back down below 10,000.

I'm lazy and don't like to hike more than about 10 miles per day. 5 nights of food. This should be a perfect loop. Long drive from Portland though.