Sierra Backpack - planning backpacking activities in the Sierra Nevada

Trek to flower-filled meadows, alpine lakes, pine-forested slopes, soaring granite peaks, and ancient sequoias in John Muir's "Range of Light"--California's Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Club has been bringing members to scenic, remote, and serene spots in this vast mountain range for 99 years. Stretching for 400 miles along the eastern side of California, the Sierra forms North America's longest unbroken chain of mountains and contains an excellent trail system as well as challenging cross-country routes. If you are seeking a classic backpack trip, come experience the mountains that gave the Sierra Club its name!

DIFFICULTY RATINGS:

* Light (L)--up to 35 miles, layover days to rest or dayhike

* Moderate (M)--up to 55 miles, often some cross-country off-trail) travel

* Strenuous (S)--cover up to 60-70 miles, greater elevation gains/losses, may have continuous high-elevation travel

Lillian Lakes Loop Sampler, Ansel Adams Wilderness. July 16-20. Take the Ansel Adams Wilderness with lots of lakes and magnificent scenery Add mostly short days plus time to swim, fish, rest, or explore. Mix in gourmet food and a dash of cross-country to make things interesting, and you've got a sampler trip fit for a king or queen. (Rated L/M). Leader: Guy Brown. Price: $345; Dep: $50. [00140A]

Seeking Yosemite's Lost Twin Activist Backpack, Yosemite Park. July 16-22. See the Activist section on page 63 for more information. (Rated L). Leaders: Cal and Letty French. Price: $355; Dep: $50. [00102A]

Classic Yosemite, Yosemite Park. July 20-29. Imagine ten days in the heart of the park with wildflowers at their peak and a chance to take in the unforgettable views from atop Clouds Rest and Half Dome. This 60-mile, on-trail trip through the high country begins and ends in Tuolumne Meadows and features two layover days. A food drop midway lightens our load. (Rated M). Leader: Cathy Dezendorf. Price: $475; Dep: $50. [00141A]

Lake-to-Lake Loop, John Muir Wilderness. July 23-28. Come join our intrepid group of High Sierra ramblers We'll be hiking a spectacular segment of the John Muir Trail from Edison Lake to Florence Lakes. Our layover will include a hike to a secluded lake above timberline. Includes ferry rides at start and finish. (Rated L/M). Leader: Michael Murphy Price: $425; Dep: $50. [00142A]

25 Eastern Yosemite Alpine Canyon Frolic, Yosemite Park. July 23-29. Absorb the splendor of the Sierra via the distinctive characters of Virginia Canyon, from its upper cirque to stream-skirting trails; Matterhorn Canyon, a gently ascending, flower-laced meadow; and Piute Canyon, whose granite terraces invite exploration against the backdrop of Sawtooth Ridge. Alpine lakes are dotted about and peaks of various hues and shapes (including climbable 12,264-foot Matterhorn) complete our adventureland. (Rated M). Leaders: Chuck and Libby Dresel. Price: $425; Dep: $50. [00143A]

Yosemite Headwaters Family Backpack, Hoover Wilderness and Yosemite Park. July 23-29. See the Family section on page 83 for more information. (Rated L). Leaders: David and Frances Reneau. Price: adult $415, child $325; Dep: $50. [00214A]

In the Footsteps of the Master, Ansel Adams Wilderness. July 23-30. Hike with us along the southern border of Yosemite to Isberg Pass, Porphyry Lake, and Frying Pan Lake. We'll scramble up Post Peak (optional), gaze along the ragged peaks of the Clark Range (not optional), and cool off in Slab Lakes (if we dare). Some cross-country, a couple of layovers, and glorious mountains. (Rated M/S). Leader: Frances Cleveland. Price: $425; Dep: $50. [00144A]

Deadman's Walk, Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks. July 24-August 1. You'll be very much alive as we continue 56 miles along the Solomons Trail. Climbing out from the abyss of Kings Canyon, we ascend perfectly glaciated, flower-studded Deadman Canyon across prairies of granite to 11,200-foot Elizabeth Pass. There's one layover day and time for nature study with our professional naturalist before finishing at Mineral King. Good condition required for a 3,000-foot first-day ascent. (Rated M). Leaden Melinda Goodwater. Price: $425; Dep: $50. [00145A]

Five Forks of the Merced, Yosemite Park. July 24-August 1. As it is with rivers, Yosemite's premier stream, the Merced, is not always merciful, recalling the destructive flooding of the Valley three years ago. For us, travel is directed to the serene beginnings of the Merced among the distant peaks, where rivulets emerge from rampart ice. Our highest elevation will be 11,200-feet on our 45-mile swing including a strip of the Ansel Adams Wilderness. (Rated L/M). Leader: Jim Watters. Price: $425; Dep: $50. [00146A]

Sierraland 2000--A Scenic Alternative, Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks. July 24-August 1. On the High Trips of yore, "scenic alternative" meant a cross-country route that didn't stick to the trail. We'll get quite unstuck from the trail as we hike north from Mineral King and connect lakes and canyons with passes and peaks along the Great Western Divide, ending in Kings Canyon. The trip covers 45 miles in eight hiking days, with one layover. (Rated M/S). Leader: Andy Johnson. Price: $425; Dep: $50. [00147A]