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Hiking and Backpacking Advice, Trip Reports, Trip Planning
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Alternatives - 2 years ago
After an 8-year absence to the High Sierra, in mid August I ventured a return to the area for a week of day hiking. Due to age and assorted medical problems backpacking was no longer an option for me. I did 3 day hikes inside Yosemite near Tuolumne Meadows on my 3-day pass, including one day with chick-on, basilbop, and JustKeepWalking which was a wonderful reunion with prior hiking companions.by tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
TR: Benson-Matterhorn loop – Part 3 of 3 - 2 years ago
This is the continuation of my trip report of the Benson-Matterhorn loop, which I did July 18-24, 2021. I ran up against the length limit for this forum so had to post by trip report in three parts. This is part 3, here are links to part 1 and part 2. FRI 7/23 – BURRO PASS, SAWTOOTHS, MULE PASS, CROWN LAKE 8.0 miles +2650’ / -2600’ (all mileages and elevation changes based on Caltopo)by JRinGeorgia - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
TR: Benson-Matterhorn loop – Part 2 of 3 - 2 years ago
This is the continuation of my trip report of the Benson-Matterhorn loop, which I did July 18-24, 2021. I ran up against the length limit for this forum so had to post by trip report in three parts. This is part 2, here are links to part 1 and part 3. WED 7/21 – VOLUNTEER PEAK, SMEDBERG LAKE 3.1 miles +1400’ / -1700’ (all mileages and elevation changes based on Caltopo) This wasby JRinGeorgia - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
TR: Benson-Matterhorn loop – Part 1 of 3 - 2 years ago
Hi guys and gals, here is a trip report from my most recent visit to Yosemite July 18-24, 2021. I did a solo tour of the Benson-Matterhorn loop. Specifically, the route was: xxxxxxxxxxTwin Lakes > Barney Lake > Peeler Lake > Kerrick Meadow > Seavey Pass > Benson Lake… xxxxxxxxxx…then I tacked on a night at Rodgers Lake and an ascent of Volunteer Peak… xxxxxxxxxx…thby JRinGeorgia - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Itinerary review? North and South Loops, 160ish miles - 3 years ago
Hi all, I'm a long-time lurker here. Getting ready to leave in a week for a long-planned set of loops into the north and south of Yosemite. I'll be solo. I'm familiar with backpacking in the Sierra, but this route is all new territory for me, so I'd welcome and appreciate any thoughts you have. Here's an overview of my route and maps: North Loop (https://caltopo.com/m/6RP1) departing Julby potatopants - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: Day hikes on east side of Yosemite/Hoover?? - 5 years ago
Yep. We've done most of these East side Hoover Wilderness hikes. Virginia Pass goes from the Green Creek trailhead over to the upper reaches of Virginia Canyon. Virginia LAKES Pass goes from the Virginia Lakes trailhead via Summit Lake into the canyon a bit further down. Both passes, and the lakes nearby, are usually really windy. In between you have East Lake, Gilman Lake, and the Hoover Laby balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
8/30-9/2: Crown Lake, Mule Pass, Peeler Lake - 6 years ago
This was originally meant to be a five night loop down Matterhorn Canyon, past Benson, then back up towards Peeler. Unfortunately, on my first night out I smacked my sandal-clad toe into a pointy piece of granite. I was able to tape up the damage OK, but it felt weird going over Mule Pass so I decided to cut the trip short, come back over and camp at Peeler, then leave. It still feels weird, butby ttilley - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
TR: Glen Aulin -> Burro & Mule Passes -> Buckeye - 6 years ago
I left Tioga Pass Road on the 14th, after getting a short lift from a Parisian car camper to whom I gave my local knowledge on where to find a camping spot. XC-ed to Glen Aulin the next day, past the little lake in the woods. The HSC was closed because the bridge was knocked off its abutments; the bridge can still be used on foot, downstream. There's light traffic on the PCT still. Mostly I noticby Sierra Miguel - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: Winter Hike to Merced Lake Area? - 7 years ago
On a side note I was doing some research a few years ago for a trip I was doing up Matterhorn Canyon and found some good info on my trip. In a few of the photos I noticed this stuffed chicken and have no idea what it's all about, but realized today that you're probably the same guy. Thanks for the links with the photos, etc. Hopefully I'll run into to you sometime up in the park.by MattDaddy56 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: Happy Birthday Old Dood - 2017 vershun - 7 years ago
Two Moor: Summer of 1999! (Eleven Day Trip) Matterhorn Canyon Loopy - July 2002 Happy Birdy Dey Michael ...by chick-on - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Re: Grand Canyon of Toulumne - 7 years ago
Of course I appreciate the work done very much... My comment was a hope that the trail crew would be fixing an area like near Mule Pass... because that is in dire need... whereas something like Matterhorn Canyon needs no work from my untrained eye... The area west of Rock Island Pass was another "uh... wow... this trail is in bad shape moment" ... so when we see so much effort beby chick-on - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: Grand Canyon of Toulumne - 7 years ago
Quotechick-on (we were in all these places in August... and only Slide Canyon had a crew) (maybe they were doing Matterhorn Canyon ... but beats me why) They are working on the section from Slide to Mule Pass. Quotechick-on (o... I have NO idea why the Beehive Junction still has a sign) It might have something to do with the Rim Fire as the C's were doing the trail work / preventive maiby buster - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: Grand Canyon of Toulumne - 7 years ago
Effectively it's a big temporary camp for the CCC crew... (these signs are out of date... ) (we were in all these places in August... and only Slide Canyon had a crew) (maybe they were doing Matterhorn Canyon ... but beats me why) Anyway.... more pix (o... I have NO idea why the Beehive Junction still has a sign)by chick-on - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: extended trip in North Yosemite late August - 8 years ago
Thanks for the responses. Chick-on " If you truly are Intermediate like you put in your profile... this will be difficult." I consider myself an intermediate because I do about 2 to 4 trips a year. The majority of them are 3-5 days. As for longer trips, I did the the JMT in 2014, TRT in 2015 and the GEMS in The Grand Canyon in February 2015. Two of the three were solo trips. Whby schultz104 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: extended trip in North Yosemite late August - 8 years ago
I'll echo Chick-on's comments. That's a lot of miles and elevation for that many days, and you're not giving yourself any time to relax or explore. If you've done similar miles on other trips, then fine. But if this is stepping outside your usual comfort zone, you might find it's a big step. We've done the loop out of Twin Lakes through Benson, Matterhorn Canyon, and Crown Lake, and you'llby balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: extended trip in North Yosemite late August - 8 years ago
If you truly are Intermediate like you put in your profile... this will be difficult. The trails in Yosemite are typically very easy to follow. Rodgers Canyon is no different. Plenty of people poo poo Table Lake. In August you may find it very dusty and hot. I'd lean to hanging around Smedberg, Rodgers, Neall, and Murdoch... playing around... exploring... than necessarily zipping thru oby chick-on - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yosemite Conservancy Provides $15 Million to Yosemite National Park - 8 years ago
Funding to Restore Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Protect Butterfly Habitat and Rebuild Spectacular Hiking Trails Yosemite National Park, April 4, 2016 – Yosemite Conservancy is providing $15 million in support to Yosemite National Park to restore the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, protect great gray owls and rebuild spectacular hiking trails, among 34 projects being funded in 2016.by eeek - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
JMT PERMIT HOGS - 8 years ago
Ok- My backpacking partner and I have an opportunity to "throw together" a four night trip over the 4th of July weekend and would like to do something out of Tuolumne Meadows but alas... the JMT folks have booked out all of the permits in advance. I know we can take a chance on a walk up but from what I read there are many JMT folks in line very early each day trying to secure walk upsby lilagray - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: Advice Hoover/Northern Yosemite Loop - 8 years ago
We did it counter clockwise a few years ago....and that way you get to hike UP fabulous Matterhorn Canyon towards the Sawtooth range,. I'd miss that hiking the other direction.by balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Advice Hoover/Northern Yosemite Loop - 8 years ago
Off to backpack in the Hoover and Northern Yosemite area next week: out of Twin Lakes, looping through Matterhorn canyon, Benson lake, back through Kerrick canyon. - Anyone know what is the water availability from the creeks in the area in this drought year? - Advice on doing the loop Clockwise or Counterclockwise? - Taking 7 days to do the loop, would love a basecamp day with good day expby elicali - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: The 1905-06 Boundary Survey and the Mystery of #119 - 8 years ago
I agree that the entire boundary was not walked on September 25th. The biggest clue being the last note from Sept 24th, where Marker # 122 was set in "Conness Pass", which I believe is now know as McCabe Pass. The notes say "Corner set during a hard snowstorm". So its the end of September, you have a hard snowstorm on the 24th, and then you walk from McCabe Pass counterclocby Bearproof - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Re: TR: Twin Lakes - Peeler-Benson-Matterhorn- Horse Creek - 8 years ago
This was a really fun trip, good to meet you Steve. Matterhorn Pass and Horse Creek were a lot of fun. That's one of my favorite ways to exit the Sierra. Lots of good memories from that canyon, plus it's good hiking just about back to the trailhead. No smoke or anything - I think that came from a filter on Steve's camera. Fortunately we were pretty much completely unaffected by any fires.by AndrewF - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: The 1905-06 Boundary Survey and the Mystery of #119 - 8 years ago
What is odd is that there is a man-made pile of rocks at the Horse Creek Pass saddle that is similar to those that were stacked next to (for tablets) or around (for iron posts) most boundary markers. We were looking for a post so didn't dig around for a tablet near the pile of rocks. The survey notes clearly have 119 located between Twin Peaks at Matterhorn Peak. What is interesting is it seby basilbop - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The 1905-06 Boundary Survey and the Mystery of #119 - 8 years ago
At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th there were a number of issues related to lands in and around Yosemite National Park, with the competing interests of conservation, tourism, mining, forestry and stock management all having input. In response to this, revised boundaries were established by an Act of Congress on June 11, 1906, and there is a very interesting map that showby Bearproof - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
TR: Twin Lakes - Peeler-Benson-Matterhorn- Horse Creek - 8 years ago
I had a busy month of May and June schedule that kept me out of the mountains, and had told Chick-on some time back that the last weekend in June would work for a long weekend trip. As the date approached, Chick-on’s scheming ramped up, and the trip turned out to be a multi-party group leaving at various times out of Twin Lakes for a trip into the northern Yosemite High Country. Chick-on was goby Bearproof - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: Hiking to Benson Lake - 9 years ago
Nice route. When you hike day 7- Pate Valley, walk downhill toward the bridge- there is a good swimming hole there and it's likely to be hot or hike uphill about a mile or so, where there is a nice cascade and swimming hole. I agree with Chick-on, of course, about going up Matterhorn Canyon. Upper Matterhorn Canyon near Burro Pass Lower Matterhorn Canyon, your proposed route, also haby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: Hiking to Benson Lake - 9 years ago
Argh. And I give my wife a hard time about not knowing left from right. I knew you were thiking Bear Valley though... and that is why I tried pushing you to go UP Matterhorn Canyon instead... although you will be missing my beloved Loch Tablae... I can tell you the route up Matterhorn and down thru Kerrick and up Seavey... down to Benson... over to Smedberg, over to Rodgers, down Rodgersby chick-on - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: Hiking to Benson Lake - 9 years ago
You should be able to get to Benson in 2 days from any of: Twin Lakes (via Peeler / Seavey Pass) (easiest ... about 18 miles... could be done in 1 day) Glen Aulin Passthru (30 miles) Pate Valley / Rodgers Meadow / Murdoch (25 miles) If you are so inclined and in shape. All are worthy of doing in all forms and variations and there are many more variations. Dunno what you mean by EAST of Hby chick-on - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: Hiking to Benson Lake - 9 years ago
You never mention if you are fishing... Agree that Smedberg makes an amazing destination with great camping sites at the SE end...great fishing opportunities exist there too, (if you know what you are doing). Additionally, the ups and downs from Cold Canyon...(Virginia Canyon and Matterhorn and Wilson Creeks route) makes a long hiking day, especially if going all the way to Benson in one day froby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Re: Planning a backpacking trip next summer. Open for ideas? thinking 10 12 days - 9 years ago
Tom makes some good points. If you haven't visited Yosemite, you should plan on seeing some of the basic sights that are NOT in the backcountry. But let's take you question at face value. By July, most of the trails should be open and not too covered with snow, assuming our weather pattern doesn't take a major (and positive!) turns towards a lot more precipitation. If you say you wantby balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
