Thanks for the great trip report. I also had trouble finding the trail in that area coming up from Rifle Creek. I remember the sticker bushes well.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I'm going to be coming through this area on the PCT in a couple weeks. I thought camping wasn't allowed at Five Lakes, or is this bad info. Looks very nice.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Duplicate post, sorryby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
A couple weeks ago I did a nice backpacking trip east of Fresno from Courtwright Reservior- Maxson Trailhead. Beautiful country in the John Muir Wilderness right up highway 168 directly out of Fresno. . I highly recommend it. More details can be found here. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lschaaf55/albums/72157684510190184/with/36033766482/by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Very nice trip report. Completely out of my league, but interesting to read. Beautiful pictures. Thank youby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I've left food in bear lockers with a note as to when I will pick it up several times, both at trailheads and in the backcountry. I have never had a problem. I have also eaten food from locker that had a note saying the owners would return two weeks prior. Leave a note with date and time, and hope for the best.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Short and to the point. Does not sound like an easy trip. Congrats for sticking it out.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
This is last Monday going over Echo Summit June 10, it was snowing at 7000 ft.!by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Wow, that is really useful information. Thanks nwhkr for the opening dates report. I had the illusion I was going to ride a bike up to Ebbetts Pass this Sunday from Markleeville, but it looks like Monitor Pass is the choice. That is quite the Sonora Pass Snowpack picture. Thanks Again!by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I have had conversations with multiple rangers at Little Yosemite a valley over allowable bear canister regulations, so it's best to carry one. When you get there the camping area and the campsites will be obvious. Strange to say, but you might considering bringing earplugs, some people party in the area, and can be loud. Bug spray can be helpful in June as well. Still, don't be discourageby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Ok, so I'm really late, but- Happy Birthday Chick-on. Thanks for al the great advice and beautiful pictures!by lschaaf - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
O.K., that one didn't fool me at all, but it was entertaining.by lschaaf - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
You had me going for a minute. Stranger things have happened recently!by lschaaf - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
There is a backpacker campground in Yosemite Valley that can be used the day before your trip if you have a wilderness permit. Check the bus schedule. You make be able to park the car in the Valley, camp at the backpackers camp, and ride the bus up to start your hike. The rangers will tell you where the campground is when you pick up your permit. Bring earplugs and camp toward the back if you useby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
If Hunkman 75 has never backpacked at altitude, going off trail and ending up in an area with a 100ft. drop on a high snow year may not be the best plan. The Triple Divide Fork is pretty and easy to follow.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Wild Bill, A correction. I ended the drought by getting a new bike in November, your wilderness permit just added more rain. Thank you.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I find I can almost always camp at the Yosemite Creek Campground on Highway 120 west of Tuolumne Meadows. It's not very attractive, so the use is a little lighter. Also there are some large campgrounds down near 395 on 120 that frequently work for me. Of course this assumes you are driving. Don't worry too much. I did have trouble with snow banks on steep slopes near Sonora Pass in late July ofby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Love the trip report. I'm looking forward to the higher elevation trip reports as the weather warms.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Also note, for those who write in to this forum asking about carrying bear spray, bear bells, etc., none of the listed incidents involve bearsby lschaaf - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Where was this photo taken? The one directly above. I want to go there! Thanks for all the trip reports! Congrats on a great accomplishment.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Sounds like a fine trip. You did make it all the way to Vogelsang from Glacier Point. That's not a small climb, no matter how many days it took. Thanks for the TR.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I love Shaffer, although I don't always agree with him. He refers to "Rather bleak Buena Vista Lake" - he must have been having an off day. In his book The Tahoe Sierra he states "Only seasoned botanists or hikers hell bent for punishment will want to take the grueling Ralston Peak Trail". I always feel like I know what I'm getting into with a Jeffery Schaffer guidby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I started using a neo-air last year, and now I use it for everything, backpacking, bike tours, even car camping. It's a pain to inflate it every night, but for me, it's really worth it.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thank you for taking the time to write this very excellent trip report. The photos are beautiful.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I, for one, really enjoy Basilbops trip reports. I may not get to do much hiking, but I can escape to Yosemite backcountry in one of Basilbop's excellent trip report and their beautiful photos.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Wow, what a beautiful and inspiring trip report. I have always meant to hike Big Sam. Loved the pictures too. Thank youby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Ear plugs and an eye mask can really help at car campgrounds. It's a shame it's necessary, but there it is.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Back in May I enquired in this forum about possible backpacking opportunities in Yosemite during Memorial Day Weekend. At that time, I decided to do the Rancheria Creek, Vernon Lake, Laurel Lake Loop. I then got some really excellent advice about probable spring trail conditions including brush, high water, and snow. In considering my comfort level ,and despite some really excellent alternatiby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Fun trip report and beautiful pictures. Thank youby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Beautiful pictures. I really enjoyed your trip report. I'm sorry you were sick so much of the time, but you seem to have made the best of it, or toughed it out as the case may be. Below is that same area on the backside of Red Peak Pass on a dry year-2013- in early July. Much less snow. I'm originally from Southern Cal, so my snow skills are not so good. Thanks for the great trip report aby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra