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Just wondering what the general consensus is? I have never used a water filter outside of the Whitney area, so my gut says no. Planning to spend a few days in the Pioneer Basin; with all the running water, seems like a filter is wasted weight.

A few years ago in early summer I was sitting next to the outlet of Lake Vernon having lunch. The snowmelt was in full flood and there was probably 2 or 3 thousand gallons per minute of water flowing out of the Lake. A fellow backpacker arrived and as we were chatting I dipped my water bottle into the stream and got a drink. My new buddy reacted as if I had just swallowed poison. No matter how hard I tried to convince him the dilution factor made filtering unnecessary, he was unconvinced. So, in areas (like Pioneer Basin) where the visitation is light, I agree with you, this time of year the filter is wasted weight.

That's pretty funny! I even drank out of lakes before without issues but only do it as a last resort. Streams and running water obviously preferred.

I have had unfiltered water at all times of the year from Rock Creek, and the lakes as well, and no issues.

Same goes for Woods Creek, Bubbs Creek, Thousand Island Lake, Tuolumne River, the lakes below Bishop Pass and a lot of other areas people and horses more frequently visit

The only time I have bothered treating in Sierra is the areas where cattle graze.

I ditched the filter. Sooo much running water and snow. I'm pretty sure no one has gone to Pioneer Basin this year. We didn't see a soul past Mono Pass for the 4 days we were out there.

I haven't filtered in over 5 years and have drank from all sorts of water sources backcountry; never got sick. Bugs in the water? Strain through a bandana. Filter? No. As fast and vicious as water is flowing now, it's all pretty clear and tasty.