Help four older, women backpackers adjust to age/health issues.

Checkbout the “creaky knees” series of hiking guides. I have one for Washington that has good hikes.

How about the Lost Coast trail? No altitude problems there!

Ken, Not to worry about Doug’s words about me. First, he’s had chances to “grow up” and it hasn’t happened yet, right, so probably not going to happen in retirement. Also, at my height, of 5’0″, I wouldn’t even be able to reach the peddles of his shiny, new bike so he’s definitely not going to like that. I’d say Doug will just remain his irrepressible self. Hope to see you at GGG, Doug. (You know, if YOU plan a GGG in your new area I’m sure many would join you!!)

Emigrant is great as others have said; but I prefer Gianelli as a trailhead. Lots of lakes you can get to in a pretty short hike, and if you are willing to do some very easy off trail hiking then Pinto Lakes is all you can ask for in a lovely spot.

Humphreys Basin would be great if you can acclimatize well to the altitude. What I would suggest is to spend a couple days at altitude before you begin the trip. There’s a campground right at North Lake trailhead, and plenty of other campgrounds up and down the east side at 8K or higher. A few nights at one of those might be a big help in adjusting tot he altitude, and might enable you to go a little higher. There’s places to camp at Loch Leven and Piute lakes, so you don’t have to do it all in one day. Plus there’s a pack station at north lake, so you could arrange for a packer to either carry your gear into the basin or to bring you a resupply so you don’t have to carry all your food up and over the pass. The great thing about humphreys for your needs is that once over the pass and assuming you can acclimatize, there is a large amount of easy rolling terrain that is right up your alley and gorgeous.

Also, don’t forget Desolation. Beautiful, not too high, short distances. But go during the week.

Oh, and almost forgot – try this forum for some helpful info:

http://backpacking.net/bbs.html

Look at the “Almost over the hill” forum

Twin Lakes trailhead out of Bridgeport brings you to some very beautiful country at not-too-high elevations. Peeler lake is just over 9,000 feet; Crown is 9,500. Really beautiful country. There are pictures online; they give a taste. From Peeler you can go south into Kerrick meadows, which are very nice, for about 9 miles of very flat walking indeed. There are lakes and a river along the way. Many options through this area, actually.

Or you can go towards and continue to climb past Crown lake into truly spectacular high country–but not too high!

Paul,
I had my Emigrant map out today and looked at both the Crabtree and Gianelli THs. Good possibilities out of Gianelli for sure. North Lake/Humphreys Basin info. is coming in from several people so we’ll definitely look closely at options there. I often forget to check backpacking.net. Just did and read a post from an “Over the Hill” guy in his late 70’s about his 2014 JMT thru hike. He just hikes slowly but still gets there-great inspiration. Thanks for your input.

Jeffrey, I also had my Hoover Wilderness map out, looking at Green Creek/Lake trail and then moved to Twin Lakes TH. Glad to get your opinions on the TL possibilities which meet our criteria. Thanks! (We shop at the College Ave. store but will come over to Solano and introduce myself sometime). Back to the stack of maps-perfect for a rainy day.

Well, thank you, Jane.  Those are very kind words.  To be mentioned in the same sentence with Andy is a real compliment.

Hiking off trail or on, it’s all good up there, and I’m glad you and your friends are still out there soaking it all in.  Paul has some very good ideas for acclimatizing at the trail head camp, as also using a horse packer to carry at least some of your gear back in there.  They will also know good places to camp, if you haven’t already decided on a location.  Whatever you decide to do, I hope you all have a great time, and keep it up for years to come..

Jane, come when I’m there and you’ll get the BPL discount!

I met four women of your description just south of Garnet Lake in later August; we all had our photo taken by a selfie-mad Korean woman. Was it you? If not, there is another Gang of Four out there-

Cameron,
No, it wasn’t my group with whom you were photographed but I’m glad to see all ages of women and men out on the trails. Two years ago two of us were in that same location. I think we’re all seeing older and also younger people all over the trails in the Sierra and other areas. Some older hikers are by themselves but friends and family members are also hiking right along with their parents or even grandparents-it’s great!! If people had more vacation time there would be more mixed-generation hiking groups.