Combo of all the things you've listed, deadfall, whatnot, are the culprits. PCT is in great condition as are trails around popular places like Lake Alpine and Sword Lakes. As for trip reports, I don't post them because I don't post a lot of photos. For a tiny flavor here's a few though.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yosemite and SEKI generally feature many trails in great condition. It's places like Carson-Iceberg and Mokelumne where they are suffering. All hail the volunteer crews that tackle them.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Interesting article. Must admit, I haven't volunteered myself but greatly appreciate those who do.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Drove by Folsom Lake today and it looks pretty low. That little storm that passed through didn't make a dent.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Unfortunately or fortunately, the way our forests are managed is the difference between conservation and environmentalism. There's been a long lasting debate over this issue--Pinchot vs Muir--that right now is sort of leaning towards the former rather than the latter. I can't get too hyped up on the Forest Service though since it's us who elect their ultimate boss's, Congress. As long as whatby KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
A lot of it has to do with cutting new roads to access burned areas. Once they are cut, they'll get used continually. I guess we'll have to see how this turns out.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Anyone at all concerned about the mountainous tinderboxes surrounding the Central Valley? Went on a hike in the hills behind Half Moon Bay this weekend and frankly, forgot it was January. Dry everywhere, very little water, sunny and warm in exposed areas. Looking at the Tahoe and Yosemite webcams is depressing, that is if you're hoping to see a lot of snow. Look forward to an early summeby KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Don't know but glad you weren't injured or otherwise.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Man, I miss having the time to take trips on a whim over holidays. Your pics just remind me of Time Before Kid.by KC - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Scary dry another year. Let's hope for some snow.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Don't mind wrappers, but won't touch those. Biggest thing I ever found was one of those portable showers. We packed it out but I still don't get the point of those things when you're in the back country.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Those folks who pick up the garbage are pretty nice as well, whether wearing a uniform or just regular backpackers who hate to see wrappers, foil, clothing, hair clips, string, etc. near their campsite or on the trail.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I know the folks at NPS and the Forest Service we're working with are unavailable now. Will definitely put a couple of our projects on hold. My Congressman has the Park in his district. Won't make the mistake of pulling the lever for him again.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Many of the biologists I work with think it's time to reconsider the ban on hunting, at least in a limited way in some areas. Without any natural predators, a food source that is not limited to far off places--deer are everywhere now, and people moving into their space at greater numbers, it would be one way to limit encounters. The lion population is healthy and the ban is sort of a case of feby KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
We went over Avalanche Pass via Sphinx Creek, up Deadman's Canyon, over Elizabeth Pass, then back to Wolverton via the HST. The driest segment was Moraine Ridge after Avalanche, but that was it. Right when things seemed to get dry, we would find water. I think it's definitely the case that the ephemeral streams get a nice recharge here and there.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Speaking of water, I was surprised at how much there was in SEKI last weekend. I never went over 5 miles without crossing a water source, probably more like 3 or 4. It surprised me given how dry Desolation is.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I have a Steripen Adventurer but prefer my Sawyer. It's a preference thing, but in the end, just filling up my bladder and going gives it the edge to me. Weighs the same as the pen (a tad less) and no stirring it around while battling skeeters. The gravity element is great in camp too. Good luck choosing.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Another vote here for the Sawyer. Have the inline version and it's great.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Airtalk on NPR in LA had an interesting show on wildfires. The gentleman speaking was critical of prescribed burns in areas where new growth consists of flammable grasses and brush. Not saying that has anything to do with this area, but it was an interesting listen. For those interested, it is here http://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/2013/08/20/33331/are-wildfire-fights-in-california-targetby KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I'll be starting at Bubbs, going over Elizabeth Pass, then coming out Giant Forest. Sounds like the fresh air I'm hoping for after weeks of crap air in the Sacramento region may not be as on the table as I hoped.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Going there this coming week. Good to hear the air wasn't too bad and you had water.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Smoke up here from the Foresthill fire has been pretty terrible. My backup plan of going to Desolation Wilderness is certainly off. Hot and dry years, which scientists see as increasing, are going to make late summer a tough time for everyone.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the tips. Looks like I'm going to be able to get away a little earlier now so am going to try and reserve a site. Princess looks like a nice location since there's a bit of elevation to it.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
There's a story behind this thread I feel like I'm missing.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I' m planning a trip down to SEKI at the end of August and want to know if anybody has recommendations on where to camp along State Routes 180/198? My problem is there's a good chance arrival won't be until 8 pm or so. Any ideas?by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I guess I need to clarify things a bit. The tunnel through the pass was part of a proposal to improve 108 as an all-year truck hauling route during WWII with military needs in mind. Maybe a tunnel at the pass would have been nice, but I'm glad the proposal went down.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
FYI, this appears to be one of the maps produced for the biennial/annual reports of the State Highway Engineer, California Division of Highways. These maps typically show the improvement status of various routes as adopted. The maps, as well as the reports, offer a wealth of information on transportation development in California. Oh yeah, add the proposal to blast a huge tunnel through Sonoby KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
"one can often goes a surprisingly short ways from popular trails and lakeshores and find utterly pristine conditions where one is unlikely to see other people." Agreed. Stayed the first night at Lost Lake and did not see another soul until reaching the PCT the next morning. Same with last year when we camped on the Rubicon a few miles north of Clyde after going over Rockbound. Tby KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just went here last weekend but started at Sugar Pine, cross country from Lost Lake, over Phipps, then past all the lakes. Lakes are excellent and Phipps Pass is gorgeous. Lost my new compass though. Desolation is really Yosemite's younger cousin. It has got spectacular granite, great vistas, and Disneyland like crowds in areas. I guess it ain't Disneyland Wilderness for nuthin.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
A nice weekend loop is Lyell Canyon, up over the Ireland Lake trail to Vogelsang, then back Rafferty. Get a little of everything: a river, a high Sierra pass (actually 2), an HSC, and awesome vistas. Just one option, but as Jayabrams notes, there are plenty of others.by KC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion