Thanks for the great report. You get more done in 28.5 hours being a million time zones from Yosemite than most people who live only 3 hours away. I'm making a mental note to get up there way more often (even for a day) and get more use from my annual pass.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I was thinking of planning a winter camp trip for this upcoming winter, and saw that Upper Pines now requires reservations for sites 1-94, but sites 95-124 are FCFS. It's been probably 2 years since I've camped in the winter, and came as a surprise to me. Needless to say, all the reservations are taken for the weekend I'm looking to go. I guess I'll have to try my luck at one of the 20 FCFS orby hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I've always wondered about people setting speed records on trails that were originally designed to get people out to experience wilderness. To me, it has always been taking time and enjoying getting to where I am going rather than seeing how fast I can get there. I will be interested to see if he accomplishes his goal. Seeing what the human body can do when it is pushed to the limit is fascinaby hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I love that area. Thanks for bringing back great memories!by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I just got back from a quick little overnight doing the Redwood Canyon Loop at SEKI. The main goal of the trip was to celebrate a 40th birthday with friends and family. To that end, there were 6 kids in our group ranging from 7-14. For four of them, this was their first taste of backpacking, and they loved it! Most of them wanted to stay longer. It was really nice to see a group of kids walkby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quoteiivvgg Thanks for sharing; interesting to compare notes. (I did a similar route two weeks earlier, for those who haven't seen.) How long did it take you to get from Nelson Lake to Lake 9637? Chick-on posted a nice illustration in my thread showing the descent to Emeric Lake; sounds like you took a route similar to his. I agree that Evelyn Lake is not a great spot for camping. Looks like aby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
We had originally planned on doing the Red Peak Pass loop, but the fires got me to consider other options. The Wednesday before Labor Day, I found out that the permits for the RPP area were canceled, so the fire made the choice on which route we should take. I'm glad we went where we did. We did see lots of smoke and haze farther south/west, but it never made it to where we were. I believe weby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I got back Tuesday from a 5-day trip to Nelson Lake/Vogelsang area, and wanted to add a quick summary of conditions for those looking to head up there this weekend. A more detailed report will come once I can make sense of all the photos and adventures we had. Day 1 - Elizabeth Lake TH to Nelson Lake: Mosquitoes were very minimal. Hiked the use trail on the east side of Elizabeth Lake and ovby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
We just finished a 5-day trip to Nelson Lake/Vogelsang area with our new QD3. I really enjoyed the extra room that the 3 person tent affords. We were able to keep the packs inside when the weather threatened and didn't feel cramped. The extra weight bringing a 3 person vs a 2 person wasn't a deal since we split the tent between the 2 of us. We had no rain, so I can't comment on that, but I diby hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I was in TM yesterday, and it was real smoky in the afternoon with some thunderstorms around 4 pm. Zero views from Olmsted Point. Dropping into the valley to see if 41 had opened (it hadn't and there were no signs prior to the 41 turn off saying as such...ugh!), could barely see the top of El Cap, no views of Half Dome. We had 5 days around Nelson Lake/Rafferty Creek/Vogelsang areas with nextby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the TR. I just finished a very similar route yesterday. Still trying to process everything into a coherent trip report. We had more trouble with the cross country portion than I was planning. Not that the travel was difficult, but I way underestimated how fast we would hike. It takes a lot more energy making your way up and around obstacles than just mindlessly hiking a trail. Myby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
KevinD, I'm planning on going to Nelson this weekend. How were the mosquitoes in the area? I'm assuming the smoke will be dependent on wind and time of day. I guess there's no real way of escaping it. Can't wait to see photos from your trip!by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I would love to see photos of your trip rgliebe. I am working on changing my trip to that area to try to escape some of the smoke from the fires to the south.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the smoke update. I'll be in the Mono Meadows area over Labor Day as well. The smoke is becoming more of a concern than the altitude for my group now. I am contemplating seeing if there are other trail heads with space available when I get my permit that may be farther from the smoke. I'm doubtful that moving a few miles would make that big of a difference though.by hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It doesn't sound as bad as it seems. We'll be prepared either way. Glad to hear you had a good trip. I'm hoping the smoke will dissipate over the next 2 weeks, but I'm not banking on it. It probably helps the sunsets look pretty amazing I would think.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Congrats on the proposal! you will always remember that day when you see photos of that area. Every time I see Yosemite Falls, I think about our time there. Best of luck to you guys!by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the info! Very informative. We are planning on just going over Red Peak Pass and then on by Merced Lake, etc., but the thought of route finding through the snow on the north side of RPP has some of my party a little concerned. We have alternate plans to maybe set up base camp at Lower Ottoway Lake and do some day hikes from there if things look spicy. This is a first trip to the bacby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I'll be heading to that area over Labor Day weekend. What was your itinerary? We are starting to plan if we should go over Red Peak Pass, or come up with some other options.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I was there on 8/10 and took a video of the same thing. It was impressive to see, I was wondering why the far bank hadn't eroded more than it has due to the force of the water.by hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I had the same experience when I set it up on the lawn. I hadn't picked up the foot print yet, it almost felt like the grass was going to go straight through. This is my first lightweight tent. My other ones are way heavier, and feel really stout, but they should for weighing 8-10 lbs. I'll just have to use some care until I get used to it. It will make a big difference in the pack weight, tby hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I got the QD3 on Saturday. First thoughts when I set it up was that I got too big of a tent for just 2 people based on looks. Once we got in, it turned out to be the perfect size for 2 people to fit comfortably with space to spare. I could see how 3 people would fit pretty tightly, but the person in the middle better have a large bladder, or else they need to do some midnight gymnastics to getby hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I noticed the same thing in June as well. I ended up finding it by accident, as I was waiting for the rest of my group. I did some exploring while one of my group waited for the others. Perfect description (I didn't count switchbacks tho). It's an obvious path if you are sitting waiting for a few minutes. If you are working hard to get up those switchbacks, you could easily not notice it if yby hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks! I didn't even think to check your site.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the info, great ideas. I'm not too keen on donating my hard earned money to the local casino (a 2-year job in Reno cured me of that). I'll definitely look towards King's Canyon area. I have a 5-day trip in Yosemite planned over Labor Day, so some strenuous hikes will be good prep.by hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hi Everyone, I just found out I will be spending a month and a half in Fresno for work. Work days will end around 3 or 4. I don't want to spend the rest of the day sitting in my hotel room in Fresno (no offense to those who live in Fresno ). I'm interested in short hikes or drives in the Sierra east of there, and am wondering if anyone has any suggestions. Not looking for anything crazy, buby hulkman75 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I have some older North Face tents - Mountian 25, Oval 24, Westwind, also a Moss Astraldome (I think), all from the late 90's/early 00's. The Moss is by far my favorite, but it weighs in at over 10 pounds (I had to double check on that). There may be another one hiding on the shelf. I'll probably try to sell some of them to fund newer and lighter equipment. We'll seeby hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I have a similar problem as JKW, I may be up to 7 or 8 tents - mostly 4-season, as I used to go snow camping with a bunch of friends and seemed to be the one to bring the gear. I would love to bring one of those, but they are way too heavy to consider. Luckily, I married well, and my wife doesn't mind me buying extra gear. We have an arrangement....she doesn't count my tents, and I don't countby hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the tip on the older version. It's tempting to save the $, but most would probably pay 10 times when they are stuck in a tent for hours during a rain storm wishing they bought the bigger/better version. It's a shame there is not 2.5 person tent out there. I'm planning on stopping by with the wifey next week and crawl in.by hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks, I'm sold. I'd be stupid not to take the advise of someone who spends more time in the back country than most Yosemite rangersby hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hi Everyone, My wife is wanting to join me on my backpacking adventures (mostly in the Sierra), so I am looking for a tent that will be a good fit for us. Currently, I have a small 2-man tent that is good enough for me and my stuff for weekend trips. Not so great for a second person. Neither of us are petite - I'm 6'3", she is 5'10", so I was considering a 3 person tent and just deaby hulkman75 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion