Exploration of The Miter Basin
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Date and Time:
Sun, Sep 6, 2026; 8:00 AM
(Pacific)
- Fri, Sep 11, 2026
8:00 AM
(Pacific)
Time is tentative.
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09/06/2026 8:00 AM
09/11/2026 8:00 AM
America/Los_Angeles
Exploration of The Miter Basin
Join us on this Eastern Sierra high-altitude exploration of The Miter Basin outside Lone Pine offered to experienced backpackers. Forming an almost perfect three-mile-wide circle it is bordered by a ridge of a dozen towering 13,000-foot peaks with Sky Blue Lake at its center. The only entry is through a narrow southern gap carved by Sky Blue Lakes outflow, Rock Creek. Perched above the basin floor are several nestled lakes flanked by tall buttress ridges that run in towards the center like spokes of a wheel. This is a truly remarkable and seldom visited place with a mix of steep rugged terrain, wide expanses of grass, and six fading glaciers. Also notable is the presence of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep which, if we are lucky, we might see. Because there are no maintained trails in the basin, our exploration will follow in the purest mountain hiking form: cross-country travel (just like bighorn)!
Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead
Webinar URL:
36.45315200,-118.16987900
JP Torres for all questions and correspondence at
jpinkflo@xecu.net
MM/DD/yyyy
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Organized By: SF Bay Chp Backpacking
Location: Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead
Map | Directions
Event Organizers:
JP Torres for all questions and correspondence at
jpinkflo@xecu.net
Linda Weldele
lindaweldele@gmail.com
(925) 852-1011
The Miter Basin
(THE TRIP IS FULL, BUT YOU MAY APPLY AND WILL BE PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST)
THIS STRENUOUS TRIP IS OFFERED TO EXPERIENCED BACKPACKERS
SUMMARY: Join us on this Eastern Sierra high-altitude exploration of The Miter Basin outside Lone Pine. Forming an almost perfect three-mile-wide circle it is bordered by a ridge of a dozen towering 13,000-foot peaks with Sky Blue Lake at its center. The only entry is through a narrow southern gap carved by Sky Blue Lake’s outflow, Rock Creek. Perched above the basin floor are several nestled lakes flanked by tall buttress ridges that run in towards the center like spokes of a wheel. This is a truly remarkable and seldom visited place with a mix of steep rugged terrain, wide expanses of grass, and six fading glaciers. Also notable is the presence of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep which, if we are lucky, we might see. Because there are no maintained trails in the basin, our exploration will follow in the purest mountain hiking form: cross-country travel (just like bighorn)!
EXPECTATIONS: Here are some of the expectations:
- The high altitude, likelihood of mosquitoes, sudden inclement weather, presence of bears, etc., all pose their own challenges, and you should come prepared to cope with these (note that using bear spray is neither allowed in the park, nor is it necessary, so do not bring any).
- You should plan on carrying with you electrolyte-replacements which help prevent sluggishness and help maintain a consistent energy level throughout the day.
- We won’t be racing, because we want to appreciate the scenery and wilderness experience. However, maintaining a reasonable pace and group cohesion are expected. So, if you feel you need more independence and less structure, do not sign up for this trip.
- You may not ask to leave early once we depart from the trailhead on Day 1. As a group function, we travel together. If you have a commitment that requires you to leave early, do not sign up for this trip.
- We leaders are volunteers and we do not have time to deal with numerous cancellations. So please make this trip a priority and commit to arranging your work schedule and family obligations around this trip. Otherwise, do not sign up for this trip.
- In the unlikely event that you need to be evacuated, by signing up for this trip, you accept full responsibility to pay the full cost for your evacuation. Neither the Sierra Club nor the Inyo National Forest Service pays for this service. If you do not agree, do not sign up for this trip.
THE JOURNEY: Below lists what is planned.Fri 9/4 – Bonus optional early arrival at a nearby campground. Sat 9/5 – Hike at higher elevation from Whitney Portal to acclimatize. Everyone is required to arrive on this day. Sun 9/6 – Drive to Cottonwood Lakes TH; the trailhead is at 10,000’ so it is critical to acclimatize beforehand. Official start of backpack trip at the TH. First night at Cottonwood Lakes (el. 11,000’).Mon 9/7 – Get to Sky Blue Lake in Miter Basin and set up base camp. Tue 9/8 to Thu 9/10 – Many options for exploration: Mount Langley, the southernmost 14,000’ peak in the Sierra, rated a Class 1 climb; Iridescent, Primrose and Erin Lakes flanked by white pillars of granite; sunrise view of Mt. Whitney from Arc Pass; panoramic view of the Basin from Class 2 climb up Mount Pickering (el. 13,468’); Crabtree Lakes that host large Golden Trout. Begin exiting on 9/10 to an interim location (Soldier Lake).Fri 9/11 – Exit at Cottonwood Lakes TH. Official end of backpack trip at the TH. Drive 2.5 to 3 hours to Tuolumne Meadows Campground, an optional camp for the night for anyone wishing to spend the night there before the long drive home the next day.Sat 9/12 – Drive home rested and safely.
Level: Strenuous (3D2)
Cost: $125
Signup Instructions: Please R.S.V.P and ACKNOWLEDGE THE LIABILITY WAIVER. Afterwards the trip leader will contact you to start the approval process and provide further information.
Recommended Items: Individual commissary. Participants bring their own food and cooking equipment. Participants need to furnish their own overnight sleeping gear. The leader will send a detailed equipment list to approved participants.
Signup Restrictions: Leader approval required for participating.
Additional Directions: We follow the current Sierra Club COVID-19 protocol. Vaccination is not required for participating in this outing. Wearing masks is optional and not required.
Carpool: Getting from and to the trailhead is the sole responsibility of each participant. The leader will provide a trip roster to all approved participants to facilitate ride sharing. We recommend that drivers and riders agree in advance on costs.
Note: Carpool transportation is at the sole risk of the participants.