Essential Guide to the Ultimate Day Pack and Summer Day Hikes in the Eastern Sierra
If you haven’t noticed, summer is here!
The temperatures have been rising quicker than usual and with a less than average snowpack this year, that means more and more backcountry trails are quickly becoming accessible to hiking. Since we had a very late start to summer last year due to our epic winter, I am already getting a head start on backcountry summer excursions in my huge backyard.
Diving into my blog posts, one read at a time
I recently went through my blog and sorted through past posts that can prepare anyone for the best day hiking adventure around the Eastern Sierra. From what to pack in your daypack, a breakdown of the ten essentials and my favorite Trader Joe’s trail snacks to summer hiking and my favorite day hikes in both the Eastern Sierra and Southern California, I hope you can find some helpful information (and maybe have a laugh or two) from this compilation of blog posts as you prepare for summer hiking.
What do I pack in my daypack?
I recently saw a post on social media about someone inquiring what to pack for a day hike. Everyone quickly responded, “the ten essentials”.
Well yes, of course, but are those, what do they mean, and let’s review the minute details associate with each one of the ten essentials: I thoroughly went through my entire blog and compiled a list of my posts that were specific to the ten essentials:
Essential #1: Navigation, More Than Just a Map
Essential #5: First Aid/Emergency kit
Summer hiking is a much different ballgame compared to winter hiking
Obviously my summer daypack drastically differs from my winter daypack. My winter daypack always consists of gloves, beanie, and puffy jacket whereas my extra layer in my summer pack is usually a windbreaker (I recently purchased the lightweight, water-resistant, and windproof ¾ hoodie by Cotopaxi). I also purchased a summer hammock and a rash guard for paddleboarding. YAY SUMMER!
Layers
Water
Water filter
Headphones
Lip sunscreen
Sunscreen
First aid kit
Bathroom kit (trowel, toilet paper, double zip lock bag with baking soda)
Snacks (click here for my post all about my favorite Trader Joe’s trails snacks)
Camera
Garmin inReach Explorer (click here is my post all about satellite messengers)
Maps/GPS
Headlamp
Trekking poles
Sunglasses
Hat
Dog treats
Dog vest/fleece/cooling vest
Power bank or solar panel (click here is my post on electronic charging in the backcountry)
Dog water bottle
Buff
Headphones
For anyone who wants to read about day hiking with their furry companion: Day hiking with a dog
For anyone who wants to read all about my favorite Overnight Backpacking Hacks
Favorite Day Hikes in the Eastern Sierra
I have hiked all of these trails below and have included some trip reports for some of them below. Some of these I have done as short backpacking trips, however, they are all very do-able as day hikes:
Lundy Canyon to Lake Helen
McGee Creek
Rock Creek/Mosquito flats
Duck Pass to Deer lakes to Crystal Lake
Sabrina Lake Basin
South Lake trailhead
North Lake Trailhead
Pine Creek Trailhead to Italy Pass
Glass Mountain from Sawmill Campground
Convict Lake to Dorothy Lake
Reds Meadows to Minaret Lake
Inyo craters
Big pine lakes
Kearsage pass to Charlotte Lake
Horton Lakes
For a full list of my favorite trails in Southern California, click here
Cheap Outdoor Gear for the Frugal Adventurer
Thanks for reading this compilation of blog posts to get you ready for summer hiking!
Xx
Kristen