Hi,

I'm doing the JMT in August / September. I've seen a lot of ideas for side trips to do, but wondered what people would recommend as the best one(s) to do - I may only have time for one (or none) depending on my progress.

So far I have:
- Mount Solomon
- Split Mountain
- Bench Lake
- Mount Tyndall

Any other ideas / thoughts on which of the above would be best? I know Bench Lake would be easy compared to the others...

Thanks,

David

Minaret lake down by Reds meadow is super cool. I just went there on Monday. Camp around a big lake at the base of the Minarets. About six miles off the JMT.

Bench Lake and Arrow Peak are hard to beat.

Sixty Lakes Basin is a nice side trip. Watch out for the frogs and skeeters though. Split is a good choice, don't omit it from your plans.

@Denjem - Was there last year and it was spectacular (I actually camped on the ridge above Minaret Lake and it made for a very windy night but a great sunrise!!)

@sierraman - I think that is number 1 on the list, particularly given its only a couple of miles of the trail.

@NancyHands - Will look at sixty lakes basin.

Thanks all.

David. what are your trip dates . . . I'm headed out hopefully sometime between the 15-20th as I've just found out I've been called for jury duty and hoping I get let go within a day or so. As many times as I've done the JMT I've stayed away from peak bagging, but would be very interested to find someone willing to take the extra time to do it. Thanks, Bob

sierraman wrote:Bench Lake and Arrow Peak are hard to beat.

A longer hike (8 miles one way) to Lake Reflection (with also scenic East Lake in route)

@rlshattuck - Heading out on 26 August, so a bit late unfortunately. How many days are you planning?

@foweyman - I can only hope my photos are nearly as good!!!

Schat's Bakery in Mammoth.

kevin trieu wrote:Schat's Bakery in Mammoth.

+ 1,000,000

Man, foweyman's pics rock.

Lake Reflection is gorgeous (in fact it's my profile photo) but kind of ways off the JMT.

Sixty Lakes Basin on the other hand is more or less right there and, IMHO, probably the prettiest spot in the whole Sierra. Big statement I know. Lots of smaller lakes as the names suggests but that gives it kind of a japanese garden feel. All these smaller, intimate little scenes. Just awesome. The frogs are an added benefit since they're so uncommon in the range.

I'd also consider a trip up Banner and possibly Ritter if you're solid on class 3. It's pretty exposed for the grade.

Always wanted to hit Center Basin but haven't made it yet. Since you're planning on making a side trip to Tyndall though, you could take Center Basin to Junction Pass, which drops you down around Anvil Camp on Shepherd's Pass, which will take you right to Tyndall. If you're in the neighborhood, might as well tag Junction Peak as well.

Denjem wrote:Minaret lake down by Reds meadow is super cool. I just went there on Monday. Camp around a big lake at the base of the Minarets. About six miles off the JMT.

All of these suggestions are good... if you are pressed for time, you can get to Minaret Lake and back to the JMT in 4-6 hrs depending on the pace... have fun on your trip. Very jealous.

Here's a photo I took last year from above Minaret Lake about the same time you'll be up there...

Super photo Fletch! I like! Of the type that looks that much better full size than the small version.

Here's another plug for Center Basin...

Recommending another place I haven't been yet but Wallace Basin looks really nice. Checked it out from the summit of Tyndall and couple of years ago and the outlet of its drainage from the JMT on the same trip. So in other words I walked and climbed around it but never set foot in it. Lots of lakes, tarns and greenery. Mount Barnard right there. Looked easy to access from the JMT too.

kevin trieu wrote:Schat's Bakery in Mammoth.

How does it compare to the one in Bishop?