Wander the West: June Lakes Loop East Side - Wander the West

Hi Guys,



I'm thinking about loading up the camping gear and the paddle boards and heading to the east side next week. I was thinking of hitting up Mono lake and then the four lakes on June Lakes loop. June lake, Gull lake, Silver lake and Grant lake.

I wanted to see if any of you know of some great camp sites or hot springs in the area worth hitting while we are there. Unfortunately our trip will include the 4th of July and I don't know how crowded the area will be so I thought I'd gather info for some different sites.

Thanks for the info,

Rich

The quickest way to get away from the masses would be to head toward Benton to find a good camp site. Lots of good wandering to be done out that stretch. http://www.pashnit.c.../Hwy120east.htm

For something a little less desolate but still within easy access; I would head to Virginia Creek dispersed sites, green creek, or maybe even up by the power plant at the bottom of Tioga. Lundy is an option too. Lundy Lk is fairly wind protected, as are Trumbull and Little Virginia. I think those might be better options for flat water and paddleboarding. Grant, Gull, and Silver Lakes can get pertty choppy even in light wind. June Lake not so much, but that's where the crowds are so there's a tradeoff.

Any/all eastside hot springs (even the lesser known, unmapped ones) over the fourth of july are gonna be a total shitshow. I hit all of these regularly, and honestly think the Buckeye spring is the only one you might have a chance at a little privacy/relaxation during short windows in the morning hours. There's a campground right down the road too. This one will fill up quick, but plenty of dispersed options are right there for you.

BSS, on 27 June 2012 - 05:48 PM, said:

Nice link, BSS. Pashnit has got some nice write ups and top notch photography. Good read.

Not sure about the wind quotient, but if you do come through Yosemite, both Tenaya Lake and higher up at Saddle Bag Lake would have world class views. Tioga Lake has some cool granite formations that are very close to the road (Hwy 120) for shoreline touring. Disclosure: I have not paddled any of these lakes myself.

Slightly off topic: Does anyone paddle Mono Lake?

BSS, on 27 June 2012 - 06:48 PM, said:

Thanks for the great info I am going to check out those other lakes for sure!

Lighthawk, on 27 June 2012 - 10:45 PM, said:

People do paddle Mono, I have not done it but plan to on this trip. It is going to be full moon so I am thinking of a full moon paddle at Mono as long as we don't get bounced out by some guy in a silly hat getting paid to keep us from enjoying our public lands :-) That always seems to happen when we try to do a full moon paddle somewhere.

rich, on 28 June 2012 - 12:11 AM, said:

I know they do paddle tours on mono. Never been real clear how legal it is going solo. Never thought about doing a moonlight paddle either. Intriguing idea.