looking for suggestions for good backcountry camp/bivy spots, preferably away from crowds, with great scenery/views, lakes/tarns, etc...
basically, what are some must see areas for someone visiting the area?
I will do these overnighters during the week. don't have a bear can but can rent I guess? probably won't go out for more than a couple nights unless w partner.
4WD trailhead access shouldn't be a problem, I hope.

thanks!

What part of the state will you be visiting? As you probably know, California is huge. If you'll be in NorCal and want to visit an area that is rugged, very scenic, has lakes, rivers, trout, and is much less crowded than the Sierra, you might consider the Trinity Alps and Russian Wilderness. There are lots of spectacular places to backpack in the Sierra but it will be much more crowded.

woops
I'll be bumming around the sierra, based out of bishop more or less.

If you're in Bishop the Big Pine Creek and Bishop Pass trails are must do. The Palisades and Evolution Valley can be accessed from there and are spectacular. The Little Lakes Valley (from Rock Creek, a bit North) is pretty amazing as well. Honeymoon Lake and the Italy Pass region can be accessed from the Pine Creek trailhead and are beautiful, but you'll have a hot and dry hike in.

Taking the 168 west from Bishop, there are great trailheads at North Lake, Lake Sabrina, and South Lake. I too recommend Pine Creek... first few miles are a grind (no shade), but Granite Park is awesome with some fine climbing all around it. Little Lakes Valley is nice, but that's a really popular area this time of year, so you'd need to get your permit well in advance. When would you be visiting?

Anita, let me know when you'll be in town. I can "guide" you to some fine places in Sierra from Bishop or Big Pine. I'm out in the hills 2 or 3 times a week.

thanks for the suggestions so far.
bishop pass trail looks nice, plus it gets me to dusy basin, right? lake ediza looks nice too, but that's further north. buggy much?
I've been dealing with mosquitos, gnats, black flies and now deer flies for the last month - please tell me the bugs are not so bad down there.

artrock: heading out tomorrow!

Deb: will do!

Uummm, the skeeters, bees and flies are quite annoying up to about 12K' right now. }:(

I think you should go to Lulzcamp2013 at UBSL

Deb wrote:Anita, let me know when you'll be in town. I can "guide" you to some fine places in Sierra from Bishop or Big Pine. I'm out in the hills 2 or 3 times a week.

Nice... I was going to suggest you contacting Deb. Cool that she posted-up.

I'm not up there often enough to know firsthand what the skeeter situation is (i've managed a trip every month), but on my last trip it was bad at Upper Lamarck. Going by the beta on High Sierra Topix site, it varies from place to place. Mostly, it seems like 11-12K lake basins/meadows: bad; passes and areas away from water: good.

Have a fun trip. I'm headed for the Donohue Pass area at end of next week... can't wait.

Burchey wrote:I think you should go to Lulzcamp2013 at UBSL

is that near Humphreys?

anita wrote:

Burchey wrote:I think you should go to Lulzcamp2013 at UBSL

is that near Humphreys?

B there or B square.

Maggot.

Burchey wrote:Maggot.

why so mean?

Burchey wrote:

anita wrote:

Burchey wrote:I think you should go to Lulzcamp2013 at UBSL

is that near Humphreys?

B there or B square.

Maggot.

HAHA!! What will be going on there? I absolutely F'ing ABHOR the trails out of the Portal!!!

Deb wrote:

Burchey wrote:

anita wrote:

Burchey wrote:I think you should go to Lulzcamp2013 at UBSL

is that near Humphreys?

B there or B square.

Maggot.

HAHA!! What will be going on there? I absolutely F'ing ABHOR the trails out of the Portal!!!

Deb, there will be so many noobs there your face will explode. People from Hollywood, tiny stuffed Ewoks, people wearing helmets where they shouldn't be and not roping up where they should, blue bullet old-school Sierra alpine ice (SHET!), people not using bearcans, people claiming FAs on routes that weren't their FAs.

You should totally go.