Ready your backpacking gear. In addition to the regular items of food, water, and toiletries, be equipped with insect repellents, especially if you are visiting the Little Lakes Valley. The Eastern Sierras are known for their wilderness and natural landscape of lakes and forests. Preserve the environment by avoiding plastic. Take a biodegradable soap to clean your utensils. The region around Mammoth is host to many backpackers. Be sensitive to their hygienic needs; do not discard trash carelessly and bury your wastes inches deep in the ground.
Be aware of the rules and regulations backpackers need to adhere to in the Eastern Sierras. You need to get a wilderness permit from the National Forest Service. You are not allowed to build campfires here. It is mandatory to be equipped with a bear canister, for there are black bears here. You can rent bear canisters at the ranger station (See Reference 4).
Visit the Little Lakes Valley if you are considering backpacking with kids. The trail is located between Mammoth lakes and Bishop, accessible from Highway 395. There are a number of scenic lakes along the trail. The Valley is popular for its views, which include wildflowers, green grassy landscape and snow, depending upon the season.
Hike the Agnew Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows trail if you are looking for more challenge. This is a 30-mile one-way trail runs through forests, meadows, and passes above the tree lines. The trail terrain keeps changing all through the 30 miles with the first 10 miles featuring a gentle hike, the next 10 offering more strenuous terrain, and finishing with 10 gentle, relatively flat miles.
