To add - might be quicker? One of the times we were at Obelisk, a third member, who had joined us at Red Devil, took a more direct way out. From Obelisk, first north, then west, crossing over the saddle just south of Quartzite Peak. His map (I looked) then showed him following the Clark Canyon drainage down, but soon, a bit westerly, joining the main trail again (south of the Merced), somewherby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
QuoteYosemrick August 2018. Is it possible to take the ridge into Adair from lake 10425. Class 2? Also how difficult is the west side of GPF to Merced? I've seen posts suggesting it's easier to go over to RPF to get down to the Merced. . Never been to Greyling but have tried the RPP route - 10425 to Adair...doable but stayed high and left and had "cliffed out" and talus issues thatby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotecharlie_hughes . No unfortunately we didn't get a permit for Half Dome, I don't know whether there's a way to secure them another way as there doesn't seem to be any permits in our date range. Any pointers on that would be great. Thank you Half Dome permits fall into 2 categories... 1 - Those that just doing HD, up an back only, are a pain - regulated and lottery permitted. These are the oby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
QuoteAnotherDave As long as it doesn't blot out the scenery, Starbucks can expand to the Valley. I don't care. Unfortunately, this may concern more than just a few Valley locations. If this goes through, will Starbuck's coffee then totally replace Peet's coffee in all of Yosemite? - The Peet's contract now extends to the entire park? We currently brew/use Peet's in Tuolumne...Will this change?by markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Nice high shot above Rodgers...thanks! BTW, fished all around the bottom right section of the lake...On that day, far right cove area proved most productive. Taut lines! Markby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
We went to Cigar as Mike had been there previously and had some Lunker success...walked on by Miller...both worthwhile. BTW, pictures can be found - http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17122 You do have to log in to see them though if interested. Markby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Since it is a bit slow here, thought I would entertain the forum/ bore you with our final backpacking trip of the 2017 season - another great fishing trip through northern Yosemite. Working at the Tuolumne store after Labor Day still, the hiking crowds there had dwindled - maybe schools being open was the cause. Anyway, on a rare day off - September 7th, drove down to Lee Vining for groceriesby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quoteparklover ...so many tour buses... they blocked the car parking spaces..try to have a moment of quiet contemplation .. Sigh..the bus conundrum. You could always walk in a 1/8 mile...get away from the road? Still would rather see 80 hikers spilling out of a YARTS than 40 more cars stuck in gridlock, all trying to find a Curry parking spot.by markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Been rockin' Merrell Moab's - http://www.merrell.com/US/en/moab-2-ventilator-mid/27935M.html?dwvar_27935M_color=J06047#cgid=moab-collection&start=1 for a while now...my third pair. Mesh uppers/ dry pretty fast/ good traction off-trail. What you gain in comfort though, you lose in longevity as pretty much worn out after a good season or two...maybe 150 hiking days and shot. Interesting tooby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Asked a long-time Valley shuttle bus driver the same question. 'Sometimes a clusterfock, other times worse." She went on to say that the evening exit times at that corner are about the same - still horrendous.by markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
YARTS is now running...by markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
It all has to do with the toilets/ waste disposal/ potable water issues - getting the plumbing on. Nothing open/ no camping until then.. As to camping TM backpackers...rangers check. Unofficial policy is to only allow thru hikers and dissuade all others. However, if no car...came in by YARTS... Much depends on gear, attitude, and demeanor.by markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
1- Is it reasonable to attempt the loop in 3 nights\4 days or is this Too ambitious? My thinking here is that i could shorten the distance by doing TM-->Glen Aulin-->May Lake-->Sunrise-->TM, and do the other half another time. First time in Yosemite - altitude - 3 nights...for me the plan (2X) much too ambitious. 19 mile days? Ouch...Maybe, but do you want to spend all your waking hoby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quoteplawrence I wonder if they had some sort of "Golden Spike" ceremony. More of a yellow snow moment.by markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
If Tioga is not open...and probably won't be mid June...bad luck for you. Your once scenic alpine "2 - 3 hour drive", over 120, through the Sierra, will now be a 7+ hour odyssey going around. There just aren't that many roads through - Ain't the Sierra grand! Go South to Bakersfield - up 99 - Or North - Sonora Pass. Might wan't to skip to plan B...cancel Rush Creek Lodge res and stby markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
From Yosemite's web site: "Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches." https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/lnt.htmby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I'm guessing June 25...maybe a tad later, but certainly before the July 4 holiday.by markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Long-time Yosemite naturalist Carl Sharsmith was once asked what he would do if he only had a day to see Yosemite. "Madam," he replied, "I'd sit by the Merced River and cry." If I had only one day - You could hike the entire day or... Early morning at Degnans...couple of Sausage-Degs...watch the falls. Morning bus to El Cap Meadow...see the climbers and walk some Valley tby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I get two of the "No permission to view" messages here.by markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Or... Starting Saddlebag - (can take ferry to backside) - and head up past Greenstone and use the Conness Lakes route. After seeing Conness, down again the way you came up - to trail - north to above Steelhead - Hess Mine - Secret Lake - up and over Shepherds Crest. (see TOPO). Important, when at the top of the SC ridge, go north to the head-wall... (at the top, south route from there looks eaby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Looking north from Ahwahnee Meadowby markskor - General Discussion
Re: How I photograph my paintings...usually signed, finished - framed. Didn't want to go into this yet. Much like backpacking - always more gear to buy when you start getting serious - but since you asked... First thing is a good presentation - matting and framing. You can go to any thrift shop and pick out good old frames... I like/look for those about 2' / 3', well-made, like thick wood, witby markskor - General Discussion
Time for another watercolor lesson...another level of fun. Here are a two examples that demonstrate a few subtle nuances in the Watercolor process. Variation builds interest. Top picture: 1) - Notice the trees - first done wet - n - wet... (yellows and greens). Then allow to dry completely... and then you can paint - wet in dry - darker value trees over the top...creates depth. 2) - Alsoby markskor - General Discussion
Nice work! Somewhere Tenaya Canyon -by markskor - General Discussion
QuoteLangostino Hello Yosemite experts, I am just wondering if it is possible to use a Happy Isles to Illilouette wilderness permit to access Tuolumne Meadows? Someone on another forum suggested that I would potentially be in violation of my HI to Illilouette permit if I backtracked to the JMT after the first night. My understanding was that as long as you enter the correct TH and sleep in thby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Slight variation suggestion to your RPP trip. After Red Devil Lake, instead of following the trail east and taking the Triple Peak Fork trail down to Washburn, follow the Red Peak Fork down north a few miles, and when just even with Adair and 9705, go west, obvious gap, and visit one of the two remaining Yosemite lakes that holds pure trophy Goldens. Another day could then find you at Obelisk Lby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
QuoteNot quite The Geezer, but getting there ... for people who use oil paints instead of watercolors. Needs another few feet of white. FYI, was informed by Aline at the Yosemite Valley Art Center - No oils paints can be used/ taught at the Art Center due to the pollution danger of oils and chemicals to the park.by markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotewaninggibbous I do wonder if the shuttle and/or Yarts will be operating if the campground is closed. Not sure about the hiker bus... YARTS route from Mammoth Lakes > Yosemite Valley (and return) runs weekends only in June...daily in July and August...weekends only in Sept. Last year the main campground opened ~June 15th...TM store a week earlier...bus was running early June. (BTW, I woby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
QuoteJustKeepWalking I believe the backpackers' campground is technically closed if the main campground is closed. Its tucked inside the main campground. Last season, even though officially closed, thru-hikers (PCT/JMT) - those holding valid thru-permits and no car - were allowed one overnight TM BP before the main campground opened. Rangers came around and checked everybody...but as Yosemite isby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra