best of the eastern sierra?

[ropegoat]

so hypothetically... if you had the month of April off of work, had never explored the eastern sierra at all, were a competent 5.10 trad leader and decent tele-skier, and specifically wanted to explore the eastern sierra- what routes would you do? what peaks would you ski?

hypothetically...

just starting some research. I've seen few trip reports, but need some more recommendations to help focus.

thanks-

[Alpaholic]

April is an awesome time to be in Yosemite Valley. Not too hot, not too many crowds and not too many mosquitoes. Getting from there to the east side, however, is a bit of a chore. If you have a month, though, I would definitely consider spending a week in the Valley.

 

For routes on the east side, depending of course on snow conditions and temps you could try the classics on Temple Crag, Incredible Hulk and several classics in the Whitney cirque. Might still be pretty cold but you might get a good window. Bear creek spire and the rock creek region has great climbing and skiing.

 

I haven't been into Langley but there are supposed to be some great routes in the 10's as well as good skiing...Again, might be a bit cold for a 14'er.

 

For skiing, you have plenty of time to do a trans sierra, sierra high route, evolution loop, palisades loop, sawtooth loop...Probably not all of those but definitely some great options.

 

Guidebooks:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Backcountry-Skiing-Californias-Eastern-Sierra/dp/0979264464/ref=pd_sim_b_4

 

http://www.amazon.com/Backcountry-Skiing-Californias-High-Sierra/dp/1560449136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b

 

http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Backcountry-Snowboard-Summits-California/dp/0898866561

 

http://www.amazon.com/Climbing-Californias-High-Sierra-2nd/dp/0762710853/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294962925&sr=1-7

 

http://www.amazon.com/High-Sierra-Climbing-Californias-Country/dp/0967239184/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294962925&sr=1-15

 

and the sierra bible:

http://www.amazon.com/High-Sierra-Peaks-Passes-Trails/dp/0898869714/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294963062&sr=1-1

[Joeicarus]

+1 on evolution valley. The gem of the sierras honestly. A bunch of great peaks, couloirs, and the Ski-nery is AMAZING. Head over lamark col and spend a week back there.

 

 

 

 

[Off_White]

April? Don't go rock climbing in the backcountry unless you're training for the greater ranges. Do ski the Sierra High Route if that sort of thing is your gig - its not mine but friends have raved about it. Up and over Lamarck Col is a great suggestion too, but I know it would make me grumpy to not be able to start at North Lake. Where is that road open to April anyway?

 

Going to the Valley is an excellent idea, just excellent.

[Hugh Conway]

Where is that road open to April anyway?

 

closed at Aspendell, opens to Lake Sabrina for trout season (last sat in April), north lake rd is closed until later often. Most of the e side lake rds get open for trout season.

 

Always an awesome place, but this year has been weird weatherwise. Lots of snow in Dec, little to none in January which made it more than a bit spring like. Could be an early spring.. or not. It's not peak summer crowds but there's plenty of people in the valley in April - especially this year with easter on the 24th

[bwwakaranai]

April is gonna be pretty snowy for backcountry rock this year, but for down hill ski/board Bloody Couloir is always fun and easy access. For somthing more spicy check out the "Checkered Demon" near Mt. Humphreys. Mt. Tom is a nice, long spring ski some years too. For cragging, Rock Creek, Clarks Canyon, Owens Gorge, Cardinal Pinnacle, Buttermilks, Happy Boulders, Pine Creek, Bachar Boulders, Deadmans Boulders, Alabama Hills, Dike Wall are all great places but some if not most will still be snowy in April. Have a blast, the East side is awsome.