Last June I tried hiking Kearsarge Pass in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, California.
I didn’t get very far. The snow on the trails was too deep, even at fairly low elevation.
This year I was there even earlier, in mid-May. (When will I learn?)
Older and wiser, I stopped by the Inter Agency Visitor Center in Lone Pine (where you pick up Whitney permits) … and looked for the eldest, wisest Ranger. He instantly knew where to send me when I asked,
“Where’s the best hike … TODAY?”
Immediately he gave me directions to an unmarked hiking area on the eastern side of Highway 395. The mountains on the Nevada side were mostly clear of snow.
The trails were rutted ATV and jeep tracks, so I took off cross-country to the top of the nearest peak.
Check out the views of Mt. Whitney across the valley.
My half-day hike was fun. And challenging, actually. I decided on a slightly more adventurous descent via this water course.
Lesson learned – seek expert local knowledge before you go off hiking. It worked for me.
The only other hike I’ve ever done in the eastern Eastern Sierra was Mt. White, with 4WheelBob. (PHOTOS) (VIDEO)
besthike.com 