you can do this hike! it’s long and the grade is kinda steep in some places but super worth it (there are also gondolas that can take you up in some spots, but you won’t get the same magnificence).
I did alta via 2 a few years back and it’s one of the most fun and rewarding things I’ve ever done. part of the route we took was a 4 hour, cable-assisted, vertical climb (“via ferrata”). that sounds insane but honestly it was one of the least difficult (but most fun) parts — if you have some experience climbing in a gym you’ll find it easy (the gym is actually harder because free climbing is, well, freer, despite the route being much much longer). but that’s completely optional.
along the path we stayed in, for lack of a better term, mountain hostels to stay the night. they serve the most amazing food you’ll ever eat because you have worked fucking HARD for it.
i’m sure they offer guided hikes but we planned the trek ourselves with a guide by Gillian Price — we even found this location and took a cool photo to match the cover up to the actual range :)
all in all, hard yes; do recommend. any outdoors person should look into doing this awesome and gorgeous trek!
All of this. In regard to camping: across the highway from the State Park are a few campgrounds w really reasonable rates. There's a few spots to camp in the Park itself but I've heard they sell out super quick at the beginning of the season.
The climbing throughout the Park is definitely the best in the area. Tons of bouldering problems all over and some really good top rope routes as well.
Trails are abundant through the entire park and look really suitable for mountain biking, I ride a road bike so unfortunately I can't speak to the quality.
EDIT: you can find the guidebook on Amazon, it's worth it for sure (will save TONS of time looking for climbing areas & problems): Coopers Rock Bouldering Guide (Bouldering Series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/076274281X/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_DybHvb8YHGYVT
It should be mostly snow-free by July. I HIGHLY recommend the info on it from Secor in The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, Trails.
Not sure what's going on with High Sierra Topix lately but there's at least a dozen people there whove been over it. Hopefully the site comes back soon.
Just curious, why go over Pants Pass and drop into Upper Kern (which is quite nice) when you could go over Pyra Queen Col and drop into Kaweah Basin, which anyone who's done both would agree is a much better time.
My friends and I did a very fun loop in Indian Peaks. We did 3 nights/4 days midweek. Saw less than 20 people until the last day (Saturday).
Day 1: Hesse Trail head -> Devils Thumb Bypass -> Diamond Lake Trail -> Camp at Diamond Lake
Day 2: Diamond Lake -> Arapahoe Pass Trail -> Over Arapahoe Pass -> Camp along Arapahoe Creek
Day 3: Camp -> High Lonesome/CDT -> Camp just pass Devils Thumb Trail at Cabin Creek
Day 4: Camp -> CDT -> King Lake Trail -> Hesse
We were going to camp at King Lake, but it was super windy and exposed. The best camp was Diamond lake, and the worst camp was along Arapahoe Creek. I would camp at Monarch lake if I were to do it again. The biggest issue with IPW is the lack of trails North to South (or vice versa), so it makes loops slightly difficult.
This book is a great resource for peak bagging, and you could definitely use it to create some loops.
Let me know if you have any questions!
A Climber’s Guide to Glacier National Park by J Gordon Edwards. 14 hikes later, created a foundation such that the rest is history.
Honestly I have a bit of a skewed perspective having worked there in the summers of 2009 and 2010. I wouldn't want to go unless I had at least a week to devote to visiting the park but a lot of it depends on what you want to do there. If you're into backpacking a weekend won't cut it. If you're just going to drive up to the viewpoints then you can get by with just a couple of days.
Additionally, if you're able to cross into Canada, the Waterton Park across the border (The combined parks are called Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park) is stunning as well. And if you really have some time to mess around in CA, Banff National Park is only about 3 hours away just outside Calgary.
Must See in GNP if you go (off the top of my head):
If you are into more than just basic trail hiking I highly recommend the Climber's Guide. It'll tell you exactly how to get wherever you want to go in the park and how difficult it is.
I highly recommend getting this book: Trekking the Dolomites: Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2… The Alta Via 1 is considered the less technical trail than Alta Via 2. I’m not entirely familiar with each section and what would fit best for your itinerary but hopefully this book will give you a decent idea of the trail itself.
If you are really just visiting, then the MN and WI Rock Climbing book isn't bad either.
Gives you enough of Devil's Lake for a non-local, including how to actually get to the crags...even has photos taken from the top of some routes showing where you can set and drop your top ropes from. Super helpful for first time visitors (although there are usually enough knowledgeable locals around that you can just ask where the top of a climb is).
But then it also gives you some beta on other climbing areas in the region. With info on places like Red Wing and Taylors Falls, you can make a road trip out of it.
If you are cost conscious and want to buy a guidebook that covers a lot of areas but has isn't quite as good for Seneca as the Barnes guide, this works: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762784342 Unless you are mid-week, you will not be alone, so be prepared with a backup plan if your route of choice is taken. Much time can be saved by having pre-planned some alternates near your first choices.
Don't be afraid to ask for specific beta on routes you want to do here or elsewhere - I think there's a relatively active "Climbing Seneca Rocks" facebook page.
I'd get some cams or ask the local guides for recommendations on which routes go best with passive pro if you really want to do the 5.6 - 5.7 stuff first. Certainly most of the classics were put up with passive gear and big boots, and I think you'd have a good time on the classics (Ecstasy Jr 5.4, Old Mans, Old Ladies, Gunsight to South Peak, etc).
If I had to choose between a #3 cam and a helmet I'd bring the helmet any day - it's not a choss pile but there are lots of ledges and little rocks.
If you have the money and run short of partners, both guide services in town are great.
Relevant archived post: https://www.reddit.com/r/climbing/comments/1m14zr/first_trad_climb_at_seneca_rocks/
If you get the chance and don't mind the drive, check out Cooper's Rock. If you do, be sure to grab the bouldering guidebook.
My favorite book on hiking is Glacier is Climber's Guide to Glacier National Park by J. Gordon Edwards. Even if you're not into technical climbing, it's an excellent guide for some great hikes and scrambles away from the crowds.