Lisa couldn’t host her first permit for this trip so I snagged it when she cancelled 🙂
This is a moderately-advanced trip.
Be Prepared for mosquitoes 🦟 It will be HOT because when we hike down to the hot springs because it’s at about 7K feet.
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: 35 miles
- Elevation gain: 9000 feet
- Highest: 10,800 feet @ Duck Pass
- Lowest: 6,400 feet @
ITINERARY:
- Friday, August 9: meet at the Duck Pass Trailhead at 8am. Hike up to Purple Lake and camp overnight (8 miles 2800ft).
- 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 (8 miles downhill).
- Sunday, August 11: Hike to Red’s Meadow. Check out Rainbow Falls and Devil’s Postpile. The road is closed Monday-Thursday so it should be pretty quiet down there. Grab some cold beers at Red’s Meadow Resort (12mi 2800ft).
- Monday, August 12: hike back to the trailhead. (7mi 2000ft)
NOTES:
- There are several campgrounds in the Lakes Basin area of Mammoth – so book a site now for Thursday, August 8 if you want to be next to the trail head in the morning. We are starting early because it will likely be very hot weather.
- Coldwater CG on Inyo National Forest is where the Duck Pass trailhead is located; reserve at Recreation.gov.
Helpful links:
- Red’s Meadow Resort
- 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.
