***DATE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO AUGUST 22-25. Keep both dates open if you want to come on this trip. RSVPs will open APRIL 1. Add yourself to the waitlist and I will manually add on April 1.***
This is a moderately-advanced trip and may be conducted as a through hike or a loop hike, it’s still being planned. If we exit on a Sunday, we can exit Reds Meadow and see Rainbow Falls. If we exit on a Monday, it’ll have to be a loop hike back to the Duck Pass trailhead because Reds Meadow Road will be under construction.
Be Prepared for mosquitoes galore 🦟
Containers to prevent Bear access required🐻. This means devices like “UrSacks” are legal, but not nearly as effective as hard canisters, so the forest prefers if you use a canister.
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd937089.pdf
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd937090.pdf
TRIP STATS:
- Total Mileage: 28 – 38 miles, depending
- Elevation gain: 6,400+ feet
- Highest: 10,700 feet @ Duck Lake
- Lowest: 7,200 feet @ Iva Bell Hot Springs
ITINERARY FOR OUT/BACK HIKE:
- Friday, August 9: meet at the Duck Pass Trailhead at 8am. Hike up to Purple Lake and camp overnight (5.6 miles).
- Saturday, August 10: Option to go check out either Virginia Lake or Ram Lake prior to Iva Bell (this would add about 8 miles to your day). Hike up to Iva Bell Hot Springs and camp overnight (9.5 miles all downhill).
- Sunday, August 11: explore, enjoy, relax, stay another night at Iva Bell. OR turn back to camp back at Purple Lake again if preferred, or if the skeeters are worse at Iva Bell.
- Monday, August 12: hike back to our vehicles (this will be very strenuous if out of Iva Bell (15 miles). If from Purple Lake, not so bad (5.6 miles).
ITINERARY FOR THROUGH-HIKE (we can shorten the August 9 trip in order to squeeze this below itinerary but it might be really tough/strenuous):
- Thursday, August 22: Duck Pass to camp at Purple Lake (5.6 miles).
- Friday, August 23: Hike to Iva Bell Hot Springs and camp (9.5 miles downhill).
- Saturday, August 24: Either stay another night at Iva Bell, or, get on Fish Creek Trail and find a campsite somewhere along the 13 miles journey to Reds Meadow.
- Sunday, August 25: Hike to Rainbow Falls and take ESTA shuttle out, back to Coldwater Campground.
NOTES:
- There are several campgrounds in the Lakes Basin area of Mammoth – so book a site now for Thursday August 8 and Wednesday, August 21 if you want to be next to the trail head in the morning. We are starting early because it will likely be hot weather.
- Coldwater CG on Inyo National Forest is where the Duck Pass trailhead is located; reserve at Recreation.gov.
Helpful links:
- https://spearheadadventure.com/backpacking-iva-bell
- https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/iva-bell-hot-springs-via-duck-pass-trail-jmt-and-fish-creek-trail
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=20496&actid=51
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=20502&actid=51
DISCLAIMER: Hike at your own risk. Be responsible for yourself and your safety. Make good decisions. With any trip, things can change, reservations can get lost, the unexpected can happen. A go-with-the-flow attitude is always a good thing, and most importantly, let’s all have fun! This is an intermediate hike. Make sure you are in good enough physical shape for the distance, elevation changes, and terrain. The hike leaders in this group aren’t professional hike leaders. By signing up for these events, you agree not to hold the Meetup organizers responsible for whatever happens to you on these events. The hiking group does not certify the expertise of the organizers, the event or assistant organizers (hike leaders) and…We are NOT responsible for any possible losses or injuries.
