Re: Parker-Koip Pk-Gem-Donahue Pass

Here's some pix from trip GW and I took over the 4th.
We were going to go to Garnett until I realized the golden opportunity I had
to drag her xcountry to places unseen by us yet.
(plus I forgot how close Agnews TH is to Garnett and 1000)

I was sooooo close to her agreeing to traverse the entire Kuna Crest on
the way back to Mono TH instead of going down Lyell Canyon.
(next time )

Enjoy:

http://picasaweb.google.com/yosemite.chick.on/ParkerDonahue

(the last pix has the route we took)

Thanks for posting. Photo 12 is the best I've seen in a while.
That's a loop I'd like to do sometime. About how many miles is it ?

I swan in 1000 Island Lake this time of year. Doesn't look like I'd do it this year.

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eeek
I swan in 1000 Island Lake this time of year. Doesn't look like I'd do it this year.

Request photo of you swanning.

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tomdisco

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eeek
I swan in 1000 Island Lake this time of year. Doesn't look like I'd do it this year.

Request photo of you swanning.

Ok, I did dive in but you know I meant to type swam. Either way it was bitter cold.

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eeek

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tomdisco

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eeek
I swan in 1000 Island Lake this time of year. Doesn't look like I'd do it this year.

Request photo of you swanning.

Ok, I did dive in but you know I meant to type swam. Either way it was bitter cold.

Spell check, spell check!

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tomdisco

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eeek

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tomdisco

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eeek
I swan in 1000 Island Lake this time of year. Doesn't look like I'd do it this year.

Request photo of you swanning.

Ok, I did dive in but you know I meant to type swam. Either way it was bitter cold.

Spell check, spell check!

Swan was spelled correctly. How would spell checking have helped?

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eeek

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tomdisco

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eeek

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tomdisco

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eeek
I swan in 1000 Island Lake this time of year. Doesn't look like I'd do it this year.

Request photo of you swanning.

Ok, I did dive in but you know I meant to type swam. Either way it was bitter cold.

Spell check, spell check!

Swan was spelled correctly. How would spell checking have helped?

It would be undectable!

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szalkowski
It would be undectable!

That's the "word" I was looking for!

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The Other Tom
Thanks for posting. Photo 12 is the best I've seen in a while.
That's a loop I'd like to do sometime. About how many miles is it ?

Your welcome. Glad you like.

You can shuttle from TM HSC to the Mono/Parker Pass TH and skip about 5 miles.
If you stick to the trail it's about 45 miles.

Alger Lakes was a real pleasant surprise. Our favorite day by far though was
the xcountry from 1000 Island to Marie Lakes. The xcountry was fairly simple
and a lot of fun even with the sun cup dancing.

Have fun

Thanks. I assume you use Nat Geo's TOPO ? I'm looking for a good map of the area and haven't found one yet. I've just started experimenting with TOPO. Normally I use Tom Harrison maps.

Is the trail well marked from Parker Pass to, say, Gem Lake, or is there some x-country involved ?

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The Other Tom
Thanks. I assume you use Nat Geo's TOPO ? I'm looking for a good map of the area and haven't found one yet. I've just started experimenting with TOPO. Normally I use Tom Harrison maps.

Is the trail well marked from Parker Pass to, say, Gem Lake, or is there some x-country involved ?

The trail is well marked the entire way. You don't have to do any xcountry.

If going to a place haven't been to before then I'll print out the USGS maps so we
can determine the feasibility of a route (typically what occurs is I'll say something
like "let's go there instead" ) (at which point I have to convince whoever is
along that it's doable)

If you want the big picture perhaps you want to pick up this map:
http://www.amazon.com/Yosemite-SE-Wilderness-Trails-Illustrated/dp/1566954134
Looks like it is just missing the very beginning of Mono TH.

Thanks bill-e-g. I'll check it out.

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bill-e-g
If you want the big picture perhaps you want to pick up this map:
http://www.amazon.com/Yosemite-SE-Wilderness-Trails-Illustrated/dp/1566954134
Looks like it is just missing the very beginning of Mono TH.

Just as a follow up, I bought the map you describe above (from Nat Geo's website which turned out to be cheaper than Amazon, but thanks for the tip) and also a Tom Harrison Map (Mammoth High Country). Both show the trail well, but the Tom Harrison map starts a little closer to the 120 trail head, and by my eye, is a bit easier to read. Anyway, thanks for the info. I'm making my route plans now.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/13/2010 06:18PM by The Other Tom.

Beautiful! We're day-hikers looking to get into backpacking. Pictures like these make me want to go to REI and spend what little money I have on gear so I can start NOW.

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itchbay
Pictures like these make me want to go to REI and spend what little money I have on gear so I can start NOW.

Renting gear might be a better option until you get some experience. That way you can try out different gear and find what suits you best.

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eeek

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itchbay
Pictures like these make me want to go to REI and spend what little money I have on gear so I can start NOW.

Renting gear might be a better option until you get some experience. That way you can try out different gear and find what suits you best.

+1. None of the gear I originally got at REI is still in use. All my stuff I use regularly came from other vendors, mostly cottage gear makers. Better quality, lighter gear, no more 5 lb pack, 5 lb tent, 5 lb sleeping bag or 2.5 lb sleeping pad. Backpacking is a skill set, not just a gear list.

Rentals... that's a great idea. I don't know why it didn't occur to me that there would be rental options. Not surprising, though.

I have lots of time to do research, since I doubt we'll get out for any kind of trip before next Spring. I'm a poor unemployed college student. We're pretty frugal these days, trying to keep on top of the mortgage and keep out of debt. See our "fancy" tent:

You'll probably want a lighter tent for backpacking.

I want a lighter tent for car-camping! This is the tent that my boyfriend's dad bought to go with his 1966 VW bus. On the backside, there's a large zipper panel that attaches to the open door of the bus. It's in remarkably good shape, considering the amount of camping they did when he was a kid. No holes or leaks that we can find. We take it out about twice a year (wish it was more often).

It's heavy and big, and hard to keep warm in cool climates. But, we never have to worry that we won't find our tent in a large campground.

For some reason Benny Hill comes to mind.

Or... are you hiding an Elephant in there?



You don't necessarily need expensive equipment to go backpacking.
When we first started we had pretty crappy stuff. Old Car Camping tent,
"European" rucksacks, pathetic sleeping bags... you name it.
Your head is gonna hurt looking at gear... and what you think you need...
you probably don't. All you REALLY need is to stay warm and dry and
have some food with you. How you accomplish that is part of the fun sometimes.

Have fun looking ... (I always am)

I remember getting started into backpacking in the early seventy's. First pack I borrowed did not have any hipband just shoulder straps, a crappy heavy sleeping bag and a small tarp for under my sleeping bag. Then I saw my first high country lake and I forgot about the discomforts of the pack. I was hooked! Over the next couple of years I got some good equipment like a Northface tent, Jansport backpack, Etc. After many years of heavy use I still have them and they are still in great condition.