Well, I don't quite have that comfort level yet. It's interesting, the first thing my sister asked me was whether I'd gotten any pictures. Unfortunately, I'd gone off path a little prior to this to follow a group of deer and snap some photos after which I returned to the path. As a result, I had my zoom lens attached. So, when I encountered the bear, the zoom lens was still attached. Funnby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks everyone for their thoughts. I wish there was something new -- a different technique that would give me confidence. There's just nothing like that feeling knowing you've used every trick you know and the bear is still just staring at you. :-) And, actually, this thought did run through my head: > ... that no one has been killed by a black bear in Yosemite (supposedly). Mostby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hi All, I know some folks on here spend a lot of time in the backcountry and I'd like some tips for handling bear encounters -- specifically in the Yosemite backcountry. (I'll also be heading to Yellowstone / Grand Teton in the fall but I suspect the recommendation might be different there.) Regardless, I'm back from my trip to SEKI / Yosemite (which was a great success) but I did have a coby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the timely report. I have snowshoes and my GPS, of course, but even then I'm not sure that I'll push on if it looks too difficult -- not because we couldn't do it but because there are so many other things on our list of todos. Daveby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thank you guys so much. Really helpful information. I'll have my trekking poles and snowshoes (just in case). I wish I had about 10 days just for Yosemite alone so I could really just take my time and go slow. But, I'll take what I can and fit in as much as possible (while also not going too crazy). Thanks again.by DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Well, I did end up including my snowshoes in the box of hiking gear that I had shipped so nothing is necessarily off the table. I think it will more than likely come down to a question of time. And, I know that in new locations, I tend to go pretty slow as I take a ton of pictures, etc. Related to all this, it looks like we'll be stopping on the way in at (a minimum of ) Glacier Point, Tunnby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Great information and tips (I had no idea about the Yucca Point being closed.) Couple follow-up questions: 1. We absolutely intend to head up Merced River from LYV. But, also, what's the situation with Panorama Trail heading towards Glacier Point? Is there any value in starting up that hike? Or are the conditions just not good enough? 2. Good information on Sequoia & King's Canyon. I hby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Wow. Just remember -- you asked for this! (Seriously, though, I'll take any thoughts.) [5/13, Sat] Arriving in Sequoia NP early morning. Explore Sequoia all day. Staying at Wuksachi Lodge. [5/14, Sun] Exploring Sequoia NP and then heading North to King's Canyon in the late afternoon. Staying at either Cedar Grove or John Muir Lodge. [5/15, Mon] Exploring King's Canyon NP all day and then heby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the response. I'm coming into the park the morning of Tuesday, 5/16. Having never been to Yosemite I guess I just fear the worst with respect to traffic and parking. I just really hate spending time in the car in backups, driving around looking for parking, etc. because I start thinking that this is time I should be on the trail. So, I usually try to get the car parked as early aby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I'll be coming up from SEKI next week through Wawona and had planned on my first stop at Tunnel View. I've seen people referring to Glacier Point as a good afternoon / evening viewpoint but I'm wondering if I should stop by Glacier Point early morning on my way in to the park? Plus, I guess I'm concerned about the parking up at Glacier Point. Does anyone know if they will have plowed the eby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Honestly, maybe I'm just not doing a good enough job of preventing water entry into my boots. I've used gaiters in the past but only my Outdoor Research Low Gaiters and they were topped a few times. My experience with full gaiters is that they're constantly falling down and I've hated them. Any suggestions on gaiters that people really like? Dby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
If you're asking about my Salomons, they are Quest 4D II GTX. So, Gore-Tex waterproof but I've gotten them soaked before and they take a loooooong time to dry out. If I go with my Salomon boots only -- which I was previously considering -- I suspect they're getting soaked on day 1 and staying wet for the duration. I usually wear Balega Blister Resist (Mohair) socks but I'm trying to bby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
So you try to keep your boots dry when possible? How about hikes with lots of mist, splashing, etc. like is likely in Yosemite this year? I'm wondering if I should just leave the boots in the pack until I get out of range wearing a quicker drying shoe on those parts of the trail.by DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I love my Salomon boots. They've seen me safely through lots of hikes and many miles. I'm heading to Yosemite (and SEKI) in May and am not quite as confident in taking just my trusty Salomons alone given how wet I (and all my gear) is likely to get. My suspicion is that they're going to quickly get soaked and water logged probably on the first day and then never completely dry out. I'by DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Ha! I kinda figured that would be the response and I appreciate it. 4 less pounds for my pack. And, no, I have plenty to do without worrying about getting to the top of CR on this trip. Thanks again, Daveby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Speaking of the snow conditions, do you guys feel like bringing snowshoes is a good idea? Again, this trip in mid-May will be my first trip to Yosemite. I'll have my crampons and trekking poles but hadn't planned on bringing my snowshoes mostly because I figured that there would be plenty of trails such that I'd just turn around if it got too bad. (And, it's always nice to cut some weiby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I see. That makes sense now. I've never been to Yosemite before so this will all be a learning experience. I hope to use the day hike days (non back-country) to explore a bit and get comfortable. I'll certainly do some of the Mist Trail on those days to get a feel for it. And, then, you're probably right that I'd be best heading up the JMT as I head to LYV. Thanks, Daveby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yes, you were right -- I meant the combo of staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge & Half Dome Village right in the valley vs. Yosemite View in El Portal. For me, the only advantage to YV in El Portal is that I would have the same room for all 4 days and could just leave my stuff but, from your comments, sounds like it's a greater advantage to stay right in the valley even if I have to change rby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Two more quick trail questions: You didn't mention heading up Half Dome Trail or Clouds Rest from LYV -- even part way. Are these just not advisable given the conditions in mid-May? Regarding this: > O... if backpack go up JMT to Clark Pt. from there depends on closures. This would be a day hike though, right? You're talking about heading up JMT from the valley to Clark Point?by DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Awesome information. Thanks. This will be really helpful. It's exactly what I was looking for. I have no illusions about LYV -- I know it's going to be busy and I won't be getting any solitude there. That's okay. I'm not one to sit around the tent all day expecting peace and quiet. I use the tent as a base and hike all day. In terms of my preferences for hikes, I'm kind of a sucker for elevby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks once again -- I agree that it's probably all going to be amazing -- but let me follow-up with a little different question. The way I structured my trip is based on the fact that I enjoy both day hiking and backcountry camping. So I structured it to do both -- 2-3 days of staying in the valley and then 1-2 days of backcountry hiking/camping. But, that being said, I also have lodginby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
No, I have never been to Yosemite before so any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you for taking the time. Here's my current plan and I'd take any thoughts you might have. I have 4 days and nights in Yosemite. I have lodging at a combination of Yosemite Valley Lodge and Half Dome Village for all 4 nights. I also have a backcountry permit for Happy Isles to LYV for last 2 nights of this sby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hi All, I'll be staying a few days in Yosemite Valley in mid-May. I'll be doing some day hiking and also have a backcountry permit for a couple nights via Happy Isles > Little Yosemite Valley. I don't have any illusions about conditions at elevation -- I know there's going to be snow in some spots. In planning my hikes, I need to account for hikes that may be affected (and potentially nby DCHook - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra