Mono? I’ll Pass
Meet: Birnkrant Starbucks, Friday @ 1:30 pm
Return: Sunday ~ 9 pm
Member: (104) Non member: (130)
Activity: (Backpacking)
Difficulty: (7/8)
Ya’ll are in college and therefore in perpetual mono season, but Big Daddy Grant and I have a solution to keep you safe, Abstinence! Just kidding, we’ll be getting outside for a relatively chill overnight backpacking trip to the Mono Lakes Basin, where the lakes are abundant and the Chad’s are sparse.
The trip will start on Friday afternoon where we’ll leave from the Starbucks underneath Birnkrant around 1:30 pm. From there, we’ll drive about 3 hours to Alabama hills where we'll spend the night.
The next morning we’ll grab our permits and drive along the beautiful 395 until we reach our trailhead, just north of Mammoth. Once at the trailhead, we have a 7.5 mile hike past mono pass (12,000 feet) to the trail lakes, where we’ll set up camp and spend the night. It’ll be very cold at night (expect it to be in the teens to single digits at night and 45-60 during the day) so if you aren’t comfortable in colder weather, this trip may not be for you.
For the last day, we as a group will head back to the cars, hit up Schat’s Bakery, and get back to LA after a rejuvenating weekend in the high Sierra backcountry.
This is one of the Sierra Nevada’s most picturesque routes but certainly not for the faint of heart. If you don’t think you can hit 7 miles at altitude, or struggle with colder temperatures, this trip may not be for you. A recommended alternative going out the same weekend and starting at the same trailhead is “BIG LITTLE LAKESSSSS”.
Contact the Guides:
Grant Huering: grant.huering@scoutfitters.org
Nikolai Stevens: nikolai.stevens@scoutfitters.org
What to Bring:
*REMINDER: if you do not have something on this list, do not panic. SC Outfitters has gear that can supplement whatever you have!*
Masks (will be worn in transit)
Hand sanitizer
Cleared Trojan Check
Mess Kit (Fork/Spoon, Plate/Bowl)
Toilet Paper
Any other toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, contacts, etc…)
Backpacking Backpack (50L capacity and above) (can borrow from SCO)
Sleeping Pad (can borrow from SCO)
Sleeping Bag (can borrow from SCO)
Headlamp
3L of water minimum (in water bottles)
Warm clothes (Long John’s, Fleece, Mid-weight jacket, Heavy-weight jacket/parka)
Athletic clothes for hiking
Comfortable Hiking Boots
Wool Socks x 2
Underwear
Swimsuit (If you dare)
Excitement
Sunscreen/Sun Protection
Camera (optional)