Kearsarge Lakes Backpacking/Camping/Day hiking

Come join exploring awesome Kearsarge Lakes area.
Participants choose either backpacking to Kearsarge Lakes OR car camping at Onion Valley Campground and day hike to Kearsarge Lakes trail. When signing up, you will be added to the wait list. Please state in the comments whether you are wanting to backpack or car camp/day hike.

Our Backpacking Plan:
Friday, Aug 15 camp at Onion Valley campground to acclimate. Campsite fee is in addition to the permit fee. Campsite fee determined by how many people are in the site. Campsite #26, paid $39.
Saturday, Aug 16 we will be hiking to Kearsarge lakes about 6 miles and camp there. Meet at Onion Valley Camp #26 or Kearsarge Pass trailhead, time TBD.
Sunday, Aug 17 we will be exploring Kearsarge Lakes, Bullfrog Lake, and possibly Charlotte Lake. We may be fishing, so we will go slow, you need fishing license to fish, buy online.
[Inland Sport Fishing (ca.gov)](https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland) We will return to our base camp at Kearsarge Lakes.
Monday, Aug 18 we will hike out, exit trail, and return home

This backpack trip is approximately 12 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 3491 total feet. This does not include mileage for the exploring day.
This hike will be at 9193 to 11,700 feet above sea level. We will camp at 10,900 ft apprx.

We obtained a backpacking permit for 4 people. $26 paid. Two spots are taken leaving two openings on permit. However, backpackers may obtain their own permit directly from Recreation.gov (link below) if permit is full. Continually check the website, and Additional permits will be released on Saturday, Aug 2 at 7:00am sharp. Permits will be gone by 7:01am. Please let us know in the comments if you are wanting to join us.
[Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits, Inyo National Forest - Recreation.gov](https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233262) Go to Explore Available permits. Get familiar with site before attempting to get permit. Message Pam or Donna if you need help.

Our Car Camping Plan:
Forest Service requires Friday and Saturday night stay for campsite reservations. We will be leaving camp early Saturday morning to start the backpacking trip. We should have room to add additional people to the campsite, total 6 people any given night, or you can book your own campsite. Link below.

Friday, Aug 15 camp at Onion Valley campground. Campsite fee determined by how many people are in the site. $39. paid for #26
Saturday, Aug 16 No Host day hike Kearsarge Lakes trail, feel free to accompany our backpackers on the trail to the pass.
Sunday, Aug 17 exit and return home.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232077

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*** PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY *** No one in the group is a guide or in any way responsible for your comfort or safety. Please be prepared with adequate gear and supplies for the trip. Please remember that going out into wilderness has risks associated with it and you should be aware and prepared to address any changes in weather, road conditions or to look out for/avoid random acts of nature, including insects, wild animals and natural hazards. It is your responsibility to evaluate the difficulty of any activity you participate in, and decide whether you are prepared by having the experience, skill, knowledge, equipment, and the physical and emotional stamina to safely participate.

*** WAIVER OF LIABILITY *** The Organizers and members in this group are not professional leaders, guides, or mountaineers. The function of the member or organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who shows up for a trip/meetup (and their guest or guests) is responsible for his or her own safety. By attending a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you and any guests that you bring are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizers, Members of the Kern Valley Hiking Club Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities.

By RSVPing you ARE agreeing to the above statements.