For July 4th week we have permits to enter at Wawona. The original plan: Wawona -> Chlnualna Falls -> Grouse Lk -> Buck Camp -> Merced Pass -> Illilouette Cr -> Mono Meadows -> Wawona I've not seen any recent TRs for that area (specifically Merced Pass, which I think will be the biggest problem). Realizing it's a very dynamic situation and predictions are difficult - isby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Huh. I was in Markleeville last weekend too. I wanted to ride up Ebbetts Pass and Monitor. Ended up doing Monitor twice. What a beautiful place, both passes are epic rides IMO. I ran into someone in town later on (buying a single can of beer) who claimed to be working on clearing Ebbetts Pass, but he took off before I could ask him about progress or predictions for opening.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Happy Birthday - and thanks for all the information, inspiration and perspiration...by ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Wow. I was hoping (not the best strategy, admittedly) that the Ahwahnee sign had been taken by "benevolent rule-breakers" out of concern for what may happen to it with the trademark dispute. Perhaps foolish of me, I wondered if it would reappear some time after the dispute is settled, similar to how it disappeared. With this new report, I'm having a hard time holding on to my hope abby ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Wow. I am confident they are both capable and prepared. I'm thinking that I may need to push my trips to the end of August to let all this snow melt...by ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yup, you did say so, and you were right, and I expected you would be right. We had the 'shoes for Crane Flat trails - which we didn't do because of rain/crowds. The Wapama walk was supposed to be a consolation prize. It was beautiful, lots of water - just wished we could have walked a bit further.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
When visiting over President's Weekend (during 6P - 6A closure of BOFR between CF and Foresta) I was surprised to see that the general store was closed. I thought it was always open. The pump islands were plowed, not sure if gas was available or not (didn't need any).by ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yes, true lots or snow. And somehow, we spent three days in Yosemite last weekend (President's Day) and were in nothing but rain. Will need to post some pix of the water flow in HH. Had to turn around well before Wapama Bridge. Totally impassible. Everybody and their dog was at the Crane Flat snow play area and/or Merced Grove parking lots. I guess it's like having an umbrella prevents rain: wby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I ended up calling them directly. Booties in correct size and color will ship on Monday.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
OK, so now I understand. I went to the WM site to order their down booties, and only then realized that they (only) offer booties that have the integral outsole permanently attached. For some reason I got it in my head that they were of the "liner only" style. This is why I couldn't understand the recommendations above, if the liners were never (rarely) used with the FF booties. Havingby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
No... from top of Kolana (again!?) Sweet!by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Story is still in progress. At Yosemite now. Had been looking forward to a snow trip to Wapama/HH Dome/??. Have bomber snowshoes (MSR Lightning Ascent, broken in on Dewey Point & Tempo Dome short hikes last month - even breaking trail to Tempo). Gaiters, Katoolahs, all kinds of good stuff. No snow, and trail closed at Wapama bridge as we know due to damage (rockfall?). Trail to Beehive nowby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Saw one today on Foresta Rd (or whatever the road with the burned-out bridge is called). Didn't think to take a picture of it, though did stop to admire the beauty of such a precision landing. Diving score would have been 8.5 at least....by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Beautiful. The Yosemite Falls shot seems so high up it had to be from a drone (but I know it can't (legally) be). Is that from 7566 east of Eagle Peak Meadows? The shot of Bridalveil Fall lined up with Merced is great. They are all great...by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
@KevinD that makes sense. Glad you enjoyed the FF. I will ask if WM offers a shell also (since they are "local". Is the bootie, without the liner, durable such that it would be reasonable to wear without liner on granite or other dry surfaces?by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
This is a great idea, glad I saw this thread, SO has cold-feet syndrome (not fear, actual cold feet) and down booties could be a great addition, even during shoulder seasons. From what I've read above, it seems the clear preference is to have only the down bootie/sock - without any foam footbed/liner - for sleeping. That makes sense. But there is also input on how great the liner is - but iby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Great video. Thanks.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotechick-onThe tree burned from The Rim fire... kinda a bummer.. Wow. I heard it was a hot fire (and saw evidence that is true). That tree seemed (from the picture) to be pretty isolated. And it was dry, so subject to blowing embers. Still... Quotechick-onWater washed it over the falls. I didn't see it at the base... but I didn't go searching for it much either... just wanted to goof arouby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hmm. Maybe we *will* go to Wapama in the snow (winter).. Looks great. Sad to see the demise of the "sentinel" tree at the Top o Wapama. I wonder if it's part of the bigger die-off caused by drought & bark beetles. Thanks for the great pix.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotechick-on Even more... (really fun if you find the right nut to go with you) (ok, any nut will do) http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?17,71933,71933#msg-71933 Can't find this set TR... (maybe didn't do) ... but GORGEOUS https://get.google.com/albumarchive/103089501068510688008/album/AF1QipOvry2fVtU2Rm742OKmED1zF88Xr9VKFWr63noF Wow. Thanks. The Google pics make me want to goby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Great pix - thanks! Makes me want to go... So bottom line is that there may not be snow, or may be some - or may be a lot if it's right after a storm. Message is "plan for varying amounts of snow in different exposures & elevations". Got it. Also seems like despite how the topomaps look, Kolana and tops of Wapama and Tueeulala are not easy walks even without snow. I guess it'sby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
OK, so no snow on north face of HH. Surprising (but I do believe you - no arguing), but I guess it's a combination of the direction (gets the sun when to the south in winter) and steepness of the slope? Wouldn't have guessed it though. Doesn't the Snow Creek trail have snow (in a year like this)? If the switchbacks have no/little snow (Kahtoolas would be enough?) then that might make the propoby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Nice. I had stumbled upon (or been directed to) these before. I need to spend some time in that area of the park. Not sure why I have been uninterested in it for so long. If I had to guess, it is because: 1) It's in an area that seems to have more civilization (route 41, GP, GP Road, Wawona complex, etc) and therefore I associate with lack of true wilderness experiences (xc travel, no peoplby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
So the recent adventure of a day snowshoe hike from Badger Pass to Dewey Point, and Tempo Dome, was a big success. Still not ready for an overnighter in the snow, but we have a room near BOF entrance for President's Day weekend and are ready for more. I have the NPS winter trail maps for the Crane Flat area. We may hike up to the the lookout tower. We've been down to the Merced Grove years agoby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Another great TR. As much as I like reading them, it's bittersweet because I want to GO OUTSIDE! Thanks. :-)by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yes - that was very troubling. I'd estimate upwards of 70% dead in areas along 41 in the Oakhurst area.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for those. I want to say thanks to basilbop for the TR but don't know if he'd more likely see it here or there... So where did you get your Prusik loops? I researched and found sewn-and-knotted loops that many reported to be very impractical in use. I've also done some research and the "big deal" (TM) seems to be the ratio of Prusik loop to main rope (for grip). It looks likeby ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
@JKW I agree. Similar to precautions and awareness of others and surroundings making it important to not send rocks towards others, much of what I was considering was only applicable if there weren't others around. I presumed that when the cables are down, there would not be the normal crowd during the peak (permit0 season. If that's not the case, then I'd have to apply different strategies in coby ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
@Yury I fully agree, you are absolutely correct.QuoteEven if not starting the ascent with them, I'd bring them along as backup if conditions (or comfort level) changed on the way.On my first attempt of the cables (during month of September I believe - it was cold but the cables were still up) I witnessed a father that had taken his young (~8 yr old) son up the cables, and gotten stuck on a sheetby ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I didn't mean to hijack the discussion, but still would like to say thanks for the somewhat off-topic content about safety and equipment when going up HD with cables down. I hadn't ever heard about Prusiks or via ferrata and the new knowledge is appreciated. If I were to attempt a go up HD with the cables down, I'd probably bring two Prusiks and a via ferrata set. If the granite were dry and cby ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion