Wow! Loved the trip report. I'm working on planning next years trip, and this one is now high on my list!by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
We found out the antiseptic wipes in the first aid kit were all dry. Luckily, I had a smaller one in the depths of my pack that had one that we could use to clean a minor scrape. You never know!by hulkman75 - General Discussion
We took advantage of the Labor Day weekend to do a 5-day loop out of the Mono Meadow Trail Head and exited the Ostrander Lake Trailhead passing Chilnualna Lakes. You can see our route we took here: 5-Day Mono Meadow Loop The weather was warmer than we anticipated. That, mixed with the dry dusty trail, made for pretty slow and miserable hiking conditions once we passed Mono Meadows. Hiking umbreby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
When we left about 9 AM on 8/30, there were still spots available according to the sign at the front. We passed by again on 9/3 around 2:00 and saw the campsite available sign. We did a 5 day loop out of Mono Meadow, so I wasn't able to see if it filled during the holiday weekend.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I am happy to report that there were plenty of campsites available at Bridalveil Creek Campground when we showed up around 11:00 am on 8/29. Maybe the lack of potable water scared people away, or maybe it was just par for the course up there. Either way, it was nice being able to camp so close to our trail head as opposed to staying in the Valley and needing to drive up to Mono Meadow.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hi everyone, I have a permit for Friday starting at Mono Meadow, and was going to try to snag a camp spot at Bridalveil CG Thursday morning to avoid having to travel up from the backpackers camp in the valley. I know it's first come first served, but wasn't sure how early one would need to get there to get a spot. Back up plan would be to have a 6-pack of beer in hand and see if we could squatby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the info Chick-On. When we were there Sunday to Tuesday, the weather was much worse. We ended up sticking to trails, as the thought of scrambling up slippery boulders didn't sound fun. Judging by your thoughts on the route, I may just stick with viewing the area from Oh My Gosh Point instead.by hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Glad to know that searching 'Sunnyside Bench' this site comes up as the fifth result. I knew there was a reason this my go to place for all things Yosemite, there are literally centuries of hiking experience here that is available to all who take the initiative to ask. That being said, on to my question: Thinking of doing Sunnyside bench next week to look at the falls from a new perspective,by hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I remember 2 years ago when the HSCs were not open due to snow. We saw way fewer people on the trails around Vogelsang. It was a stark contrast to the amount of people on the trail last year near the Merced HSC. Also, water was much easier to find late in the season 2 years ago.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
They allow campfires any time between October and April. You need to attend it at all times or put it out completely with water. https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campregs.htmby hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I'm happy to report that no traction devices were needed. I saw minor isolated ice patches that were easily avoided. The 'trail' to Sierra Point was had no snow or ice either.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hi all, I'll be heading up to Yosemite for some winter camping this weekend. Has anyone been there recently and can comment on the conditons of the walking paths around Upper Pines/Curry Village? I'm curious if the ice has started to stay in the more shaded areas? I'm going with others who haven't been there in the winter and am wondering if they'd need some traction devices? I've got my yakby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The Sierra High Route by Steve Roper is one I love reading along with a set of topo maps. Great history of the early Sierra explorers.by hulkman75 - General Discussion
Thanks for the info on this. I've been looking at this hike for a few years, but haven't done any serious planning yet. This has lots of good info to keep in mind.by hulkman75 - General Discussion
I was up in that area earlier this month, and Basilbop is correct. All the small streams were not flowing. There were small pools, but they were few and far between. Even the outlet to many of the lakes were not flowing. We had to carry more water than planned since a few of our camps weren't at lakes. Fletcher Creek and Merced were flowing pretty well. Enjoy and stay safe!by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
This weekend we went on a 5 day loop starting from the TM campground following the Elizabeth Lake trail, up and over to Nelson Lake, down to Babcock Lake, past the Merced Lake HSC and up to Cathedral Lakes and back to TM. Day 1: TM > Nelson Lake 5.5 Miles Saw only 2 day hikers on the trail to Elizabeth Lake. Once we got to the lake, we took the oppertunity to take a break before heading oveby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I'm not sure how many of you are in the same boat as me, but these fires are making trip planning difficult. I'm spending lots of time reading about the fire updates and have a huge respect for those battling these fires. I planned to do the Red Peak Pass loop this year (last year we were prevented due to another fire). It's looking unlikely for this year. Back up to this hike is a loop froby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Happy birthday! Wishing many more miles of trails (and off trail) in your future!by hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It seems like fires are putting a damper on a lot of trips unfortunately. Thanks for sharing your videos. That's a beautiful area! I have a trip planned next month and have about 3 options based on how the fires are affecting things. I hope this isn't the new normal...by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I may have mislead some by referring to the reservoirs as lakes. I was at Bear River Reservoir (lower and upper) off of highway 88.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Friday was pretty nice, maybe a high of mid-60's. Saturday the winds really picked up and the temperature dropped to the mid to low 50's for the highs, and low 30's at night. Sunday it warmed up quite a bit and was pretty calm. Pretty perfect weather minus the winds.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yesterday, I returned from a wonderful 3-day trip with my septuagenarian father and uncle to a beautiful hidden gem in the Sierra they have been visiting every year for the past 47 years. I have been fortunate to have been able to go with them for the past 20 or so years. We started the day with a full canoe and kyak ready to paddle across the first of 2 lakes We reached the end of tby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the info JR. I have an umbrella as well (more for sun protection), I started using it last year and love it! I like the idea of having something I can throw over me and my pack and keep going. I'll probably go with the less expensive non-plastic type for the first trip and see how it goes. Like you said, worst case, I have a spare poncho.by hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I was wondering if anyone has had experience using a rain poncho in place of a rain jacket & pack cover (I'll still carry my rain pants)? Most of my Sierra trips are in late summer/early fall where big storms aren't a huge issue, but those pesky afternoon storms are. I'm leaning against the cheap plastic disposable ones (just not durable enough). I have seen decent reviews on this one Terrby hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for sharing this. Makes for a good escape from work.by hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Congrats! Love the photos. National park engagements are always really special and memorable.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I'm glad Aramark doesn't handle the campsites...who knows what they would charge!by hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the great suggestions. I've got a good place to start my research and planning.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hi all, I am working on planning another 4-5 day backpacking trip for late summer/early fall and have 3 options: 1. - Red Peak Pass Loop (got smoked out last year due to the fires and would like to try again) 2. - A trip out of the Cathedral Lakes TH 3. - A trip in the Emigrant Wilderness 4. - Any Wilderness accessible from 108, 4, 88, etc. (we are coming from the Bay Area and don't want tby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I think the race is for second place now....my two cents: 'Founding member of the High Sierra Polar Bear Club' 'Sun's out buns out' 'Taking winter UL backpacking to the ultimate extreme'by hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion