Such a wonderful trip and a well captured video. I was following the video along on the map until saw your map Always wanted to hike that area, so this is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing.by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Received an update from Yosemite Conservancy Wilderness Reservations Staff: This map illustrates the no camp zones within Tuolumne Meadows and the Monroe Hall Research Natural Area. https://caltopo.com/m/SMRD The Gaylor Lakes cross-country TH is the trail West from the entrance and before Tuolumne Meadows. Yes, cross-country'ing over to Young Lakes and beyond is one of the few optionsby SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the input. Good to know that you guys are still monitoring this forum. Quotechick-on You have to start where your permit says AND you need a permit for where you are going to camp. If you're carrying overnight gear in Yosemite you are required to have a wilderness permit. Maybe this policy has changed recently, but 2 years ago we had an overnight permit for Stanislaus and campedby SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The online permit reservation system lists a new (well, at least for me) entry trailhead - Gaylor Creek XC. The park map is not updated to locate the trailhead, so I assume it is located at Gaylor Lakes TH. Does anyone know more about this new TH? I am curious how far from HWY120 should you hike to set up a camp. I believe Granite Lakes area is too close and might be out of question. Skelton? Wheby SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The best way to acclimate is to spend a night before the hike at the TM backpacker's campground or outside the park in any campground before the East entrance on HWY 120. Coming from Bay Area I always do this if my destination for the 1st night is above 9000.by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Great report, thanks for sharing. And thank you for the latest update on getting a permit, very helpful. This is by far my favorite area in the park, around Cathedral range. I did a similar route with my friends last September. However, from Raymann pass (don't think it has this name though) we hiked straight to Fletcher. It was a really enjoyable and easy X-country route. Vogelsang HSC was closeby SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Congrats and kudos! Awesome achievement. You guys rock and are a true inspiration to the others.by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the TR. Matthes is my favorite lake in the park as well. And your camping spot looks so familiar , IMHO it is the best at the lake. Almost forgot, fishing brookies is fantastic!by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Absolutely incredible sunset image of HD from the Diving Board. That alone would make any serious landscape photographer envious. Kudos to your efforts and dedication to get this accomplished. Thank you for sharing.by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Beautiful lakes and great views, thank you for yet another excellent TR. It's amazing how you can hike up that high on the first day after leaving Bay Area. I always try acclimating at TM backpacker's campground the night before or headaches are in order.by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Incredible trip, great photos and details. I thoroughly enjoyed mapping them with each and every turn on a topo map. As Kevin I am also amazed by the amount of wild flowers you guys witnessed on the trip. Bookmarked the post for the next year to-do list. Many thanks for sharing!by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Same here. Clicking on an image forced me to log in to Google, however even after that the image didn't display.by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Amazing TR as usual, thank you for posting! It is incredible how much you guys do just over a weekend. Hats off!by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Wonderful TR, awesome adventure! I've only been to Green Lake on a day hike and always wanted to return to that area to explore more. Loved your pics from Shepherd Lake and xc to Onion. As for the Shepherd Crest, it is calling for some serious photography. Thanks for sharing.by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Fantastic report and great pictures! Haven't explored this part of the park yet, and your TR makes me want to do this loop too. It's tough to deal with AMS. I experienced the same when I started backpacking a few years ago, but I noticed that with every year it affects me less and less especially when you acclimate at the right altitude the day before. Last week my hiking buddy and I exploredby SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
No, it's not OK IMO. This is altering the scenery that is protected by the Organic Act of 1916 that created the National Park Service "to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations". I wish there was some sort of program (apart from becoming a full time ranger, of course) that would give poby SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
What?? Another boat set to carry? As long as it is not me who is carrying I am OK Jokes aside, appreciate your tips and encouragement.by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
No, I haven't yet. Bit I am pretty sure that some of the forum long timers have. From the distance it looks like getting to the base shouldn't be difficult, however I am with your on things becoming "unclimbable" when you get closer.by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Nice collection of peaks. Gotta go to Sunrise area one day. Always thought it was too crowded around HSC. QuoteRemember: One S, Two D's: This one has a distinctive shape of Tresidder, one of my favorite areas in the park.by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Both TM and Tenaya were mosquitoes-free with just a few buzzing on the climber's trail. However, all lakes had them in amounts I have never experienced before. Hopefully, the bloodsuckers will be gone by 24th, my next backpack in Sierra.by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Not at all. There were a few areas where we walked on the wet grass and crossed small streams, but nothing that cannot be easily walked on. The East side of the pass closer to the forest is drier though.by SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
No, we did not boat other lakes yet. This was the first time ever at Tenaya as you could guess from my "how-to" questions Thanks for writing the answers. Now that the fun process has been tested, we sure look forward to participating in the Boat-a-Thonby SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hi All, I am new here, so let me start with a big thank-you to everyone for sharing valuable information on your trips, gear, and all. I've been reading and learning from this forum for more than a year by now and finally decided it was time to join especially after an unexpected and joyful meeting with two great contributors to this forum in person (their nicknames will be revealed later). Asby SergiyP - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra