Bearpaw High Sierra Camp — Hotel in Exeter

My family and I have been fortunate enough to visit and stay at the Bearpaw tent cabins on several occasions over the past twenty years. It's ridgetop location with a full on view of the Western Divide is without equal. The accessible day hikes are some of the best alpine hikes in the southwestern Sierras. The tent cabins are modest but extremely comfortable and who can argue with a flush toilet in an old fashioned outhouse and hot showers available every afternoon. In years past the cuisine matched the location. It was the Michelin equivalent of campfire cuisine. The cooks made the most of fresh produce, fruit and meat deliver by mule team weekly. The menus were varied, a great marriage of fresh flavors and often innovative side dishes. Nothing fancy or nouvelle, just some of the best prepared and seasoned campfire cooking you will ever experience. The personable cooks always mixed it up a bit with the guests and I fondly recall all kinds of mixed music tapes with dinner. No more. The current kitchen staff works very hard and is extremely pleasant but truly seems to have lost its way in terms of how to properly cook meat and chicken and prepare interesting side dishes. It is not for wont of ingredients. One or two freshly baked desserts, including the peach pie, seemed to be the exception. It is also not for lack of what amounts to a restaurant kitchen. It looks a bit like a kitchen space Julia Child would have been comfortable in and could have easily turned out dishes to her liking. We are very much at home with some jerky and beans when we backpack but the daily tariff at Bearpaw is expensive and the cuisine is simply not up to that expense. There was a time tend or fifteen years ago when it was up to that standard. I recommend lifting a few dishes from "Campfire Cuisine" by Robin Donovan and perhaps some team building about what it means to host such a...

This is not just a lodging, but an experience. First, you hike over 11 miles in the mountains to get to and from the resort. We had great weather for our trip. The staff of 5 was very attentive to the 12+ guests at the resort. My husband and I got to choose one of the very cozy tent cabins. The staff helps you but at the same time respects your privacy. You can day hike or just enjoy the grounds and views at the resort. We stayed four nights, which allowed us time to do some side trips as well as relax. Many interesting people come to stay at the resort, and other hikers stop by for refreshments while on the trail. The food is excellent -- for instance on the last night we had tri-tip, lasagna, salad, a vegetable and fresh strawberry shortcake. Every bit of it was handmade in their kitchen and delicious. The scenery from the front porch of the dining room is spectacular, as is the whole area. A...

I spent two nights here sep 11-13, 2017. The 11.3 mile hike to Bearpaw was not flat as reported elsewhere. While there are flat portions, the trail has steady inclines and descents. The last mile from Buck Creek to the camp was gorgeously lush, but killer at the end of such a long trot from Crescent Meadow. With altitude adjustment not yet accomplished, I was very hot and sweaty. The gnats were relentless for the first 3 miles. I strongly recommend a bug net. The camp is situated directly across from the granite mountains of the great western divide. What a view! The tent cabins were clean with comfy warm beds. Gotta love a flushing toilet and hot shower. The food was great at the little buffet table. It took us about 7.5 hours to hike the high sierra trail in and about 7 hours back with a healthy break at Merhtan Creek. Beautiful hike and a lovely setting. So worth it. Stay 3 nights...