All Gender Backpack: Gems of Pioneer Basin and the Mono Recesses, John Muir Wilderness, California

The Trip

This lake-to-lake adventure reveals one of the High Sierra’s hidden gems. We enter and exit the spectacular John Muir Wilderness from Rock Creek Canyon and over 12,000-foot Mono Pass. We plan to explore two of the four Mono Recesses and Pioneer Basin. We will day-hike among idyllic alpine lakes, granite peaks, and gentle meadows in the remarkable and expansive basins. We have scheduled two separate knapsack “base camp” style layover days to further explore at least two of these basins, each with its own personality and scenic beauty. This double layover “base camp” adventure is well suited for the intermediate fit backpacker curious about off-trail hiking and navigation. We will discuss the importance of basic map reading skills to interpret terrain and navigate on this moderately paced alpine adventure in the High Sierra.

The lands that we will travel through have been inhabited for over ten thousand years by the Paiute (Nuumu), Shoshone (Newe), and Timbisha peoples. These lands are called Payahuunadu and Panawe by the Nuumu and Newe peoples, respectively. This land acknowledgment is a recognition of the original inhabitants of the Eastern Sierra and is intended as a show of respect for Native peoples. 

The Project

The route and itinerary presented here provide a general plan for this 7 day backpack trip. Flexibility is important. The itinerary described here should be taken as a general plan, and the actual route and schedule may depart from this plan.

Day 1: The trip officially starts at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at a campground near the Mosquito Flat trailhead, located west of Bishop California and up Rock Creek Canyon. We will begin with introductions, a review of the route, group safety and finalized our trip gear. We will set up camp and gather for dinner at the Rock Creek Café.

Day 2: After an early breakfast we will distribute group gear and reassemble at the trailhead. Our ascent from Rock Creek to Ruby Lake is not far but located above 11,000 feet. The first travel day is intentionally short to allow us time to acclimate to the thin air, get comfortable with our packs and gear. The trail starts out gentle and follows natural moraines as we ascend below 12,800 foot Mt. Starr, the headwall that becomes Mono Pass. We plan to arrive before lunch and make camp with time to explore the classic alpine lake and its surroundings. Today’s hike is about 2.5 miles with a 1,000 foot ascent.

Day 3: Today we begin what appears to be a formidable climb up the canyon headwall to surmount the Sierra crest at Mono Pass (12,077 feet). Beyond the Pass, a sprawling vista reveals glaciated basins, majestic peaks, and recesses below. We will descend into the upper valley to the Fourth Recess and camp on her western slopes, which often provide spectacular alpenglow sunsets on eastern peaks. We will hike nearly 6.2 miles with about 1,000 foot ascent and 1,800 foot descent.

Day 4: Today holds promise of adventure with options to explore the upper basin of snow lakes, climb Mono Peak or hike down canyon to the Third Recess on the first of two knapsack style layover days. Or if you prefer a more leisurely time at our “base camp” you can rejuvenate lakeside, enjoy a book or refresh with a cool dip.  

Day 5-6: Today we cross Mono Creek and hike into the centerpiece of our trip, Pioneer Basin. The hiking distance is short with less than 4 miles and 1,000 foot ascent and 300 foot descent.

We will spend two days in this remarkable and expansive lake basin with Mount Stanford and Huntington to our east and Mount Crocker and Hopkins to our north and west. Pioneer Basin is filled with a cascade of glaciated lakes above and below the timberline, wildflower-filled meadows, and spectacular vistas affording a wide variety of easy-to-moderate day hikes. For the more adventurous, an off-trail hike to Crocker Col may provide a challenging route with awesome views over the ridge into Hopkins Basin.

Days 7: Our last day of hiking will be our longest day. With lighter backpacks and 9 miles of hiking, we will make our way out of Pioneer Basin, return across Mono Creek, and then retrace our climb to Summit Lake over Mono Pass and down to our awaiting vehicles at the trailhead (overall 2,200 foot ascent and 2,800 foot descent, about 9 miles).

This trip operates under a Special Use Permit within Inyo National Forest.

Getting There

The closest major airport is in Reno, Nevada, located 210 miles (four hours) to the north. The closest major city is Bishop, California, which is a six- to seven-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area or Los Angeles. The campground is located at the end of Rock Creek Canyon, west of US 395.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

Meals will be healthy and vegetarian friendly, featuring some organic and non-GMO items. Some food sensitivities might be accommodated. However, please let the trip leaders know of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when you apply. Boiled water and a Gravity Works filter system for group water will be available for in-camp use only. All trip members are responsible for their own personal water treatment method away from camp and while hiking on and off trail. Responsibility for preparing daily meals, cooking and clean-up will be shared among the trip members. The first night's camping fee and all meals beginning with breakfast on the first day of backpacking and concluding with lunch on the last day of the trip are included.

Throughout our trip, we will adhere to all land agency regulations and guidelines as well as the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT).

Trip Difficulty

This trip is rated 3 (Moderate) on a scale of 1 to 5 (easy to strenuous).  A couple of days will be more challenging, with large elevation gains. Elevations on this trip range from 10,000 feet to 12,000 feet, exclusive of peak climbs, and all backcountry camps are above 10,000 feet. We strongly recommend that all participants arrive a day early and sleep at altitude to get a head start on acclimatization. There are numerous campgrounds along Rock Creek Road. Reservations are available at Recreation.gov. Another good option would be to arrive early and stay in Mammoth lakes, which is located at 8,000 feet elevation and has numerous lodging and eatery options.

Participants should have some previous backpacking experience in an alpine environment (above 9,500 -10,000 feet). Participants must maintain a regular fitness program, to include training hikes with a 35-pound backpack and boots starting at least one month before the trip. For the enjoyment and consideration to all participants, this trip will require a commitment to an appropriate level of fitness, preparation and a careful screening process.

Equipment and Clothing

The Sierra Club will provide all group cooking equipment, a group first aid kit, a group water filter system for camp use, and bear-resistant food storage canisters (participants are responsible for their own personal water treatment method while hiking and outside of camp). At the start of the trip, each trip member will be given a full bear canister and/or a portion of the group gear with a combined weight of up to 12 pounds. It is very important that you limit your personal gear and pack weight to no more than 20 pounds, so that together with 1-2 liters of water your total pack weight will be less than 35 pounds. We require that you bring or plan to share a tent (shelter), sturdy and comfortable broken-in boots (footwear) that provide good ankle support, a sleeping bag that will keep you warm in freezing temperatures, a small personal first-aid kit, and a waterproof rain jacket and pants.

The leader will send detailed equipment recommendations to participants well in advance of the trip.

References

Maps:

• Tom Harrison Cartography's "Mono Divide High Country" trail map provides the best overview. The U.S. Forest Service map of the John Muir Wilderness also covers the entire route.
• Except for the first (and last) half-mile of the trip, the entire planned route is contained on the “Mt. Abbot” USGS 7.5-minute series map.

Books:

• Secor, R.J., The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, and Trails. The Mountaineers. The encyclopedia.
• Arnot, Phil, High Sierra: John Muir's Range of Light. Vivid description of Pioneer Basin as well as many other spectacular areas in the Sierra.
• Morey, Kathy et al, Sierra South: Backcountry Trips in California’s Sierra Nevada. Wilderness Press.

Conservation

“Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” ― Chief Seattle

The Sierra Club is an environmentally-focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, encouraging grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward greater understanding, advocacy, and participation in the goals of the Club.

Our trek will primarily be within the John Muir Wilderness area in the Inyo and Sierra National Forests. Congress designated the John Muir Wilderness with the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964. We will experience firsthand the unique beauty of this area and the fragile nature of its ecology. Although this wilderness is now protected from logging and mining activities, this has not always been the case. In fact, the surrounding national forest lands do not receive the same level of protection. We will examine and consider the level of protection that wilderness designation has given to this area, appreciate how this land compares with other types of "protected" areas we are familiar with, and discuss how we should protect these areas for future generations.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.