We have a backpacking permit for Murphy's Creek for next week and were planning on spending the first day (backpacker's camp day) doing a day hike to either Lembert Dome or Pothole Dome.
- Are the views better from one of them?
- If we go to Lembert Dome, should we go ahead and add Dog Lakes (pros and cons?).
Once we start backpacking, we were thinking of backpacking in to Raisin Lake and setting up camp there with the intention of doing subsequent day hikes before heading out.
- Does Raisin Lake have water at this time of the year or is it a dry lake?
- Are there any specific "great camping areas" in or around Raisin Lake?
- What will the mosquito situation be late July?
- For day hikes we were planning on going to Mt. Hoffmann one day, and something else the other day. Suggestions for the other day?
- As far as Mt. Hoffman, is there a clear well-marked trail from May Lake to Mt. Hoffman? I ask this because last week we had planned on hiking from Lehamite Creek to North Dome. We got some GREAT views from a "dome" and ridge line that were along the trail to Indian Arch, but it looks like we should have taken a side spur to North Dome so what we thought of as our "North Dome" was not really North Dome. Just want to make sure we do not miss Mt. Hoffmann in a similar fashion.
- While day hiking to North Dome, it seems that our last water stop will be May Lake, so we should carry enough to do the entire day hike, essentially, correct?
- On the return, i.e., end of backpacking, we could either come back via May Lake or go back the way we came and end up at the Murphy Creek trailhead. Are there any advantages to one over the other?
- We did not see any signs of bear (tracks, scat, bear canisters moved around) last week when we were in the North Dome and Eagle Peak areas. Are the higher elevations going to be similar, i.e., more or less low likelihood of meeting a bear?
Any other tips and suggestions would be very welcome.
Thanks,
Cee