Milking a bear would seem a hazardous undertaking.by lschaaf - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Very nice trip report. Thank you. Loved the pictures!by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I would definitely expect mosquitoes in early season Sierra.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Great trip report, and I really like the photos, especially the Half Dome from Clouds Rest one. Thanks!by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
If the gate is open and you can drive to Lundy Lake you should be able to take a nice day hike. Not all the way to Helen Lake, but I remember the beaver ponds only being a couple of miles up the trail . This photo is above the beaver ponds but below the lakes. There's also an old cabin back there just beyond the beaver ponds, which might be interesting to a 12 year old.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Leave the packs a ways off the trail after removing your bear canister and putting anything that smells in the canister. Then take your few valuables- wallet, camera up Half Dome with you. I have done this many times in various locations and never had a problem. Plus the Half Dome experience is more valuable than anything you have in your pack. Important- Remember Where You Stashed The Packs!by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I loved the Dinkey Lake Wilderness. I hiked in in from Courtwright Reservoir a few years ago and spend a few days hiking a lake filled loop. Right now I'm not able to find the pictures, but find a map and you'll figure it out.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
A fine trip report. Very enjoyable to read. Thank you.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Mario- Mid June is probably a better time for this area. I am starting to reconsider my options. Might do something with a bike on the east side instead. So- I'll be interested to hear how your hike goes. Lby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The permit is Rancheria first. If that goes well then Vernon and Laurel. I'm hoping for wind to keep the bugs down, but I will also be using bug spray and a head net. I thought I'd take the rain gear too ,and the. Goretex lined boots, etc. Remember, I was going to stay home and paint the bathroom.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Swampy, snow, flooding, maybe blackflies... I will definitely bring extra socks. I've never been to that area of the park...just down by the dam. I have some time to contemplate my options. Thank you both for you input. Lby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
All right, I figured it out and applied for a permit reservation for Friday, May 27 for either Laurel Lake or Rancheria Falls. Somehow I've never gotten around to doing the Laurel Lake-Lake Vernon-Rancheria Falls Loop. Advice or opinions?by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I have a few days off over Memorial Day Weekend. I would like to take the first backpacking trip of the year. However it seems crazy to think that I could avoid the crowds. I'm not good in deep snow, and for this trip I need to drive a passenger car (Subaru Impreza) to the trailhead. Also I prefer trails to cross country. With all these conditions is there and hope? Or should I just stay hoby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I've had really good luck getting a permit the afternoon before, rather than the morning of, and the lines are shorter.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Happy Birthday Chick-on! Thank you for all the good hiking advice over the years- always correct. And thanks for guiding me on how to post a photo to this forum. This would be a distant sighting of the rare flightless bird and his boating party.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Seriously, it costs money to maintain the facility. I believe you also get use of the pool when it's open, and a towel. There's even soap in the dispensers, and it's usually fairly clean. The water is hot, and it doesn't turn off after a certain amount of time, and you don't have to leave the park. After a few days or weeks in the backcountry it is money well spent.by lschaaf - General Discussion
Interesting reading. A reminder to try not to go beyond your limit, and be thankful the SARS people exist. One of my personal goals has been to not get in a situation where I needed rescue. I did have to wrap up a sprained ankle and walk out on it some years ago. Hurt like hell, but it was only five miles, and it was my fault for not paying attention. Thanks for the linkby lschaaf - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I am also jazzed about your quest, and look forward to following it in trip reports. It was nice of Chick-on to add the old rail lines for you!by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Nice picture and a couple of excellent choices for hikes! Thanks for reporting back on your adventures.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
23 years ago my old backpacking partner Kim and I hiked the North Lake- South Lake Loop near Bishop. We didn't really know what we were getting into. The trip was both memorable and epic. Time passes quickly. I had always wanted to go back and do that loop again. Kim got married and had twins. 23 years later my friend Barry from Florida was interested enough to fly out. We would hike thisby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I travel solo a lot. I find that stopping and talking to the occasional person who wants to talk really helps keep away the lonelys. Some interesting people can be found on the trail. Have a good hike, and consider posting a trip report afterward.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I first saw bear cannisters in about 1993, and bought one right away. They have made, in my estimation, a huge impact. In the 90's I used to be hassled by bears at night, routinely. Now I seldom see a bear in the backcountry.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Drive east on 120 out of the park. One of the many campgrounds on the other side of Tioga Pass will almost certainly be open.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
There are definitely bears there, and a times the Kearsarge Lakes have had an aggressive bear. I have a scratched up bear canister to show for it- but the canister held up and I still had my food the next day. I would treat the water too.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Very nice trip report. I love the Kearsarge Pass area, and the Rae Lakes- though I do not love Glen Pass.... Charlotte, the Rae Lakes and everything close to the JMT will get crowded this time of year, but Charlotte is big enough that there is always space. Come back after Labor Day for quiet- and frost. Looks like a good trip. Thanks for the pictures and the report.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
If you mean the creek 1/2 mile before the final trail junction coming from the Tenaya Lake side, there was plenty of flow on July 11 or 12. There was also water in the pond just before there It was a great trip, helped by the advice on this forum about the usual flow in the creek, and where to camp below Clouds Rests This is the catwalk on the east approach. It took a little focus for anby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I've have a number of Seylor Pack Rafts. They kept getting mystery leaks, but the were a lot of fun. Finally I sprained my ankle hiking out of Warren Lake north of I 80 (beautiful place)with the raft and I decided I really needed a lighter pack, a raft free pack. It was fun while it lasted.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
My husband has a number of stents. I have to admit, he'll day hike with me at altitude, but multiday hike where it's a long way to help, he just does not chose to do those anymore. In all fairness I was always the one who liked the multi-day immersions. He's morphed into more of a support role. He did ride a touring bicycle from the Canadian border to our house in the Bay Area the year afteby lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
For those of us not in the know- what lake is that?by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I crossed Bubbs Creek at Junction Meadow in August of 2011. Even that late in the year it was really a challenge. But then 2011 was like that.by lschaaf - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra