Hand picking berries for non-commercial purposes is permitted in almost every National Park - as is fishing. However, the harvesting of rare, threatened or endangered plants is illegal.by LVRAY - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
That would be easy.by LVRAY - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
If I follow what you are asking, the answer is yes. We did it by entering 60 Lakes Basin over Rae Col after crossing Glenn Pass and exiting the basin by following the outlet creek of the northern most lake-let in the basin down to the unnamed lake north of Arrowhead (or NW of Dollar). This section is a bit steep but nothing beyond some class 2 scrambling. From there, we followed the inlet creek oby LVRAY - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Watched the smoke roll in from Virginia Pass Sunday afternoon. Camped at Return Lake and by late afternoon could barely see Virginia Peak. Was fairly clear the next morning but could see the smoke to the south and it rolled back in later in the day. Camped above Nutter Lake last nigh and could not see any of the peaks in the area. Visibility was probably less than 1/2 mile. By this morning smokeby LVRAY - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
There is also a California Sierras Canyon Explorations group and a SoCal Canyoneering group. The SoCal group is an open group. But the Sierras Canyon Explorations group requires you to be accepted by a current member. It is in that group that many of the recent 1st descents are discussed.by LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just Contact Rick Ianniello directly, either through Rope Wiki or he is on FB. He is a really nice guy and will share info. He made the first descent and I believe has been back one more time ( or at least he was talking about going again). He also has the https://www.facebook.com/lvslotcanyons/ page.by LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just got back from trip up Rafferty, over Vogelsang Pass, down to the high trail and up Hutchings and Lyell Fork. What snow was near Tuolumne Pass should be gone. Vogelsang Pass was about 90% snow cover above the lake and nearly snow free on Lewis Creek side (this was the 13th). Given the rate of snow melt, it is probably already just patches left. Didn't hit snow in Hutchings or Lyell Fork untilby LVRAY - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Not sure the exact date it was shot. Interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crECtMJQ3OAby LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
You seem a bit confused. Clark Range is in the SE section of the Park and reached mostly from trailheads staring in the Valley, off Glacier Point Rd or outside the Park's southern border, as Basilbob listed. Tioga Rd (120) does not have to open by that date for you to access the trailheads. Glacier Point Rd "should" be open by then. If you only have a single night to backpack, I would pby LVRAY - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Curious. Was this taken before or after most recent storm? How far was the road plowed?by LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteags @LVRAY I thought I remembered "somebody" (some publication, I believe from NPS but I could be wrong) making a lot of noise about "be sure to not exceed your limits when hiking the Grand Canyon. Bring plenty of water. Helicopter rescues are expensive...". This was from before the NPS installed drinking fountains along the Kaibob Trail... From here: http://kaibabby LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteags However, unless it is to protect environment/flora/fauna, can they really declare an area off-limits (and enforce it - by citations, fines, removal, etc) for safety? I think the answer to that is yes. Many parks close areas for a variety of reasons. For example, Zion NP requires canyoneering permits for many of its canyons. If they deem one unsafe for a particular reason, they "by LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteNot quite The Geezer, but getting there That's my sentiment too. Do you know if in actuality people who are rescued are charged for the S&R services? No federal agencies charges for SAR. A handful of states (I believe 7 currently) have laws that allow recovery of SAR costs, but they vary greatly in scope. A few county run SAR programs also have passed laws allowing them to charge. Thesby LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotehotrod4x5 So is it considered a low year? At what point does "average" get changed? If California uses the same standard as the National Weather Service (and I don't if it is or is not), it is a 30 average calculated from 1981 to 2010. The average is recalculated every 10 years, the next one will be 1991 to 2020. NOAA also maintains records for a 100 year average and the preby LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
In July, especially late July of a dry winter (which this one is shaping up to be), water in upper Cold Canyon may be in short supply. However, you should be able to make into Virginia Canyon the first day without a problem, where you can camp along the river. If you stay near Smedberg or use it as a layover day, be sure to check out Sister, Tallulah and even Doe Lake. You will find much moreby LVRAY - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotetomdisco I rank them right up there with illegal fire rings. Fire rings, legal or illegal, are far worse. I would be very happy to see all fire rings made illegal.by LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteatomicmonkey That's fantastic! I found the mid June date on the NP website, but I can't find it again. I have been calling for three days to the permit office and it has been busy. Thank you guys for all the great info. BTW: this is the phone # that I have been using from my permit Questions/Cancellations: Call (209) 372-0740, 9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. I called 209-372-0200 and followedby LVRAY - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotebasilbop According to rangers at the BOF entrance station last weekend, all trips originating outside the valley will be self-register until "mid to late May" due to budget cuts. I'd go by what's on the website here. Which is apparently incorrect or incomplete information. In addition, if you call the Park and listen to the recorded info regarding wilderness permits, it says thaby LVRAY - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I called Yosemite yesterday and was told that when Tioga Rd reopens, the wilderness both will be open too. The person who answered put me on hold and checked with several people before responding, so I feel somewhat comfortable about the accuracy of the info given. He also indictaed that the wildderness booth was already open before the rd cloased.by LVRAY - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quoteoakroscoe QuoteLVRAY My comment was (partially) a joke. But the reality is, few people in this world are doing anything to help either the environment they live in or the people around them. Even if you do not count those unfortuante enough to be in situations where they can barely help themselves, the majority of the rest of us are doing very little of a positive nature. And yes, I justby LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotechicagocwright I know it was partially a joke. But I get touchy around the enviromentalist population control argument. The implications of the argument are sickening and a host of other really evil ideas when carried to the extreme. I wasn't claiming to be an environmentalist. I was just pointing out that there are other reasons why a large reduction in the Earth's human population woulby LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteDave QuotechicagocwrightI was going to ask if he was going to volunteer himself or his wife. You upped the ante to more members of the family.Those that wanted everyone else dead would be the first on my list. My comment was (partially) a joke. But the reality is, few people in this world are doing anything to help either the environment they live in or the people around them. Even if youby LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotechicagocwright QuoteJasonS We need a new plague or something to get rid of half the people on the planet. Um, that is a bit harsh... If the plague could be targeted to specific types of people, I would increase it to 3/4 of the people on the planet.by LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Last year, I had a fairly long conversation with one of the trail crew supervisors as they were working above Hetch Hetchy, an area he said they were working on for the 2nd time that year. He said he had been working trail crew in Yosemite for over 15 years. A few of the questions I asked were why some trails are routinely (or even over) maintained while others appear almost neglected; and, on aby LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I do find the difference in policy interesting. It exists not only between the NFS and the PS, but also with in NFS as Inyo, to the best of my knowledge, is the only NF in the region to allow the use of the Ursack. Personally, I do not think Yosemite will ever allow the Ursack unless forced to do so by the courts (which obviously isn't happening soon). At least Inyo has some really cool places toby LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Inyo NF does allow the use of the Ursack (the updated version). Hopefully, some day, the same will be true for Yosemite and Seki. Personally, I use my Ursack any place I can.by LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Both stable flies and deer flies are found in the Sierra, but I really wasn't paying attention to which these were, but I think stable. I worked in Yosemite for a few years in the early 80's and have been hiking there off and on ever since. And I agree with you - I don't ever recall running into them in any numbers before - but memory is not what it use to be. Also spent many years working inby LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Was at both less than a week ago. No mosquitos, but biting flies. They were really no issue at any of the lakes, but they were somewhat annoying in the wooded area along Conness Creek.by LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoterabbitoutdoors I LOVE seeing those jets. I've seen their wingtip turbulence kicking up dust on Mono Lake. I've been buzzed while flying in a hang glider. I've been able to see the pilot in his seat as they passed underneath me. Watching a close pass from the face of half dome would have been AMAZING. Annoying is the last thing I'd call them. Just to give a contrary opinion. And theby LVRAY - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteplawrence You missed the point, sandstone arches are delicate and fragile by nature. Sandstone isn't granite. Just climbing onto these magnificent arches can shorten their life. These arches are so fragile (and unstable) that they'll collapse on their own. Climbing on top of them, let along using them as rope swings, is reckless and will hasten their demise. I don't have a problem wby LVRAY - General Discussion