I'm somewhat bewildered by the dollar damage indicated for the Wilderness.by tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I've been spending more time in Maine this year and was surprised by a current controversy regarding hunting of black bears. For several years Maine has been the only state that has allowed bear hunting via dogs, trapping, and baiting in addition to old fashioned hunting. Current controversy is whether or not to eliminate baiting to draw them to an area where they can be hunted more efficientlyby tomdisco - General Discussion
QuoteJustKeepWalking I know my back will get better again. I originally injured it in my 20s, and in learning how to fix it and help it, I learned how to hike and realized how much I love hiking.... And yes, for us it was prioritization... We don't go to shows, movies or other events. We stream stuff during the week when we can, so we aren't totally out of touch with pop culture... And we keeby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I am kind of surprised how much water is in the lakes and particularly the fact there is still water at the meadow near Elbow Hill in Cold Canyon. Guess it's because of the rain this month. I have camped at that very spot several years ago with Len the Marmot Man, someone who is no longer with us. Jimby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
My limited experience in Yosemite has taught me that some of the most remote areas (in terms of people traffic) are just off trail. Going off trail eliminates 90% or more of likely human traffic. You get to experience and photograph scenes most folks never see for themselves. It can be 3 days in or just around that next corner on a day hike. Enjoy. Jimby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Great birthday trip, JKW. Always thinking of you folks. Jimby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
So glad to hear everything worked out great for you folks. Cudos to you for seeking and taking free advice from those who are familiar with the rigors of Yosemite trails, especially with a youngling along. Now your are hooked!by tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I'm in Maine right now and recently came across an article in a local rag regarding an unusual version of unwanted trail art. On the island of Monhegan there are a number of short trails which over the years have become subjected to trail art referred to as "fairy houses" for the local fairies, nomes (sp?), hobbits, or other assorted sentient forest dwellers summer folk wish to fantasiby tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteBearproof I don't see the above set of photos as realistic...nobody's garage is that clean. Compulsive disorder?by tomdisco - General Discussion
Wickett, The amount of stretch in braided rope is minor compared to twisted nylon. If you fell using twisted nylon you would end up bouncing up and down several feet several times. Braided climbing rope has just enough stretch in it to cushion a fall without one bouncing all over the side of a rock wall. Jimby tomdisco - General Discussion
We are getting into the dryer season when about the only ones you may run into are in the grassy meadow just before Lower Cathedral Lake and even that may depend on the time of day.by tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I rank them right up there with illegal fire rings.by tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It's not suitable for climbing because it's twisted nylon which has too much stretch in it. It's much more appropriate for things like boat anchor lines or aircraft tie-down lines where the stretch factor cushions the shock of wave or wind action.by tomdisco - General Discussion
burley, I think possibly you can do day 1 & 2 (without the youngest along) but be flexible regarding days 3 & 4. The object is to enjoy, not just survive the trip. Also, I notice you have a tendency to diminish the effort required on descents. At least, that's the impression one gets when you measure each leg in terms of total ascent only. Some of us actually find descending tearsby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
collinsp, Chick-on made reference to your next trip after this one. You do realize of course there will be many trips to follow, no matter what the cost? Yosemite is addictive! Again, have fun. Jimby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Looking over your questions: You mentioned cheese, tortillas, and peanut butter. These are good choices health wise but one must acknowledge they are also heavy choices, particularly flour tortillas. I very much wanted to take tortillas on my last trip (for a change) but standing in the supermarket hefting a pack in my hands lead to a hard choice of "no way". I'm not being criticaby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Collin, The Other Tom is right to express concern for the weight you will be carrying. I speak from experience when I say your "low to moderate backpacking experience & coming from back east" is going to be a wake-up call starting on day one. I hit Yosemite like that in 2009 w/ 40-lbs. and knew by noontime I was about 10-lbs. overweight. I'm not sure what advice you got earlierby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I meant actual physical size & weight. It looks larger than perhaps it really is. Usually, those of us who lug around avatar friends find ones that weigh very little in our packs.by tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Uhm!----How large is your avatar?by tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Nice shot of the rear of Indian Arch. So few people look at the back side.by tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotemrcondron Once you get over Burro you will want to stay in the canyon where you will have the Sawtooth Ridge for a view. There should be water and there are some fantastic pitching spots. Once over Mule the views degrade. Drop down ad check out the slide on the way out but before over Mule. It's all very open so no worries doing a bit of cross country. Chick-on has some pictures posteby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The discourtesies often found at organized campgrounds unfortunately go with the territory. That's why many of us avoid them like the plague and stick to the back country trails. I realize that option is not available or necessarily of appeal to everyone, particularly those with families. All one can do is tolerate it the best they can without blowing their tops. My wife and I used to frequby tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
There reportedly have also been instances where bears have actually injured themselves leaping from a tree trunk to reach a hanging food bag. As for bear canisters, the Yosemite bears know they cannot get into them so soon move onto easier pickings. They may bat it around a bit but that's about it. Just don't leave your canister where it can be rolled down a mountain or into a stream! Justby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
As a teenager I spent many a night outdoors exploring the rural area I came from. Most of that time we simply slept under the stars and took our chances regarding weather. Skeeters were an issue but I was more tolerant and indestructible back then. At the house I had a canvas pup tent set up under an apple tree almost all summer and spent many a night out there just because I enjoyed it. Overby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
If you venture into Yosemite while backpacking a bear canister is mandatory for food storage for any overnight camping. Hanging food in any fashion is prohibited and PCT hikers should not be doing it inside the park boundaries.by tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Ditto on much of what has been said but I'll put in another hearty plug for a side trip and possible camp spot at Rodgers Lake on south side of Volunteer Peak.by tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Steve, I don't know if your 25-lb pack weight includes an empty bear can or not. If not, your total weight with food, bear can, fuel, and water may easily exceed 30 lbs. You said your backpack weighs 5-lbs empty! Sounds like a Gregory or something similar, very comfortable but outrageously heavy. I know; been there--done that--got rid of it! Folks here are probably tired of hearing me say tby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the trip report. Thinking of you folks frequently. Jimby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
QuoteAndrewF I'm sure there's a bunch of good ways up on the east side. I always go to the far right, just above the north side of Secret Lake you walk around the right side of a boulder, do an easy mantle and you're on a nice class 2 ledge that shoots you straight to the Yosemite boundary sign. On the west side, the use trail is the only good way down. The guys we ran into went up the east sideby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
For the pics parade renewal.by tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra