My backup is Sequoia NP. I've got my 3 boys in tow and they need to see the living dinosaurs.by JohnStream - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I've read that there are only 20 sites available during the fall and winter months and they're only available as first come first served. What are my chances of getting a site if we arrive on a Sunday evening (in two weeks)?by JohnStream - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
That was us. We saw several parties on El Cap that night. There was also a fire going up top. What was the deal with the heli's landing up there? Is that normal or did someone have to get rescued? Awesome.by JohnStream - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
A buddy and I just finished that section of the trail on Tuesday. We started from Wawona Tunnel and spent the first night at Stanford Pt. The second day, we were almost 100% snow trekking inside the forest. Once out on the points, everything was clear and beautiful. I'd say at least 80% under snow...Several drifts over 10'...not too many footprints out there. You should still be able to seeby JohnStream - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the heads up on 9/27. I called the permit office to see what my options were and he said Porcupine Flat should still be open that time of year. Not as good as the Backpackers CG up in Tuolumne, but it is the next best thing.by JohnStream - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Some friends and I are also planning on this route in late September/early October. 1. Will we have anything to worry about regarding water or weather in the first week of Oct? 2. How many days are you planning on? We're thinking 6 back-country with two nights at a backpackers CG.by JohnStream - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
This would be the pond. We stopped here to fill up before going up and over Clouds Rest. If I recall, it wasn't that far into our trip though....We started around 10 or 11 in the morning from Sunrise Lakes TH and this picture was taken around 1:30 or so.by JohnStream - General Discussion
That is what I was afraid of. I would LOVE to go back in July, but not this year. hmmmm...my timeframe really is only in May. Any other west coast suggestions? Maybe I'll stay local and do the Grand Canyon, but I really want mountains and trees.by JohnStream - General Discussion
My only window of opportunity this year is in the first two weeks of May (my 4th will be born sometime in early June). I was able to complete a loop around Vogelsang last year in early June and there was basically no snow. I was wanting to head north up through Glen Aulin to check out the waterwheel falls area. My hope was to make it a 3 or 4 day trek. I've been keeping an eye on the overaby JohnStream - General Discussion
I just got back from this hike on June 15/16th. Up Rafferty Creek, Back Lyell Canyon. - Weather - 70/80 day, 40's night - Water Levels - Plenty, but nothing very high or fast. I was able to cross everything using boulders. - Mosquitoes were terrible around the Vogelsang area. They swarmed and were aggressive. They cleared up around Evelyn Lake. - Must-haves - I was glad I had hiking sticks.by JohnStream - General Discussion
I was there 3 weeks ago on that same loop. - Snow - I had to cross 3 spots where there was snow. At most my feet were on snow for 10 steps. - Stream Crossings - None wider than 5 feet and deeper than 1 or 2 feet. I used the boulders available to cross. My feet stayed dry the whole time. - Mosquitos - Around the Vogelsang area, they were terrible and swarming. I was glad I had a mosquito neby JohnStream - General Discussion