I got a much later start than planned on Friday afternoon, which compromised the rest of my weekend in terms of where I camped each night. Probably wouldn't have mattered as much earlier in the season, but I wanted to keep my last day under 10 miles and there weren't many camping options in that window due to lack of water. The trailhead was in the Bridalveil Campground, however that's closedby vitaminC - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
All the photos I've seen show that it's basically dry. There might be a damp path, but not much flow. Still, the light has looked quite impressive: not my photoby vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Looks and sounds like a great trip, thanks for sharing!by vitaminC - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the replies. I was planning to go for a couple days starting on the 16th, though perhaps I will try to get out there early next week instead.by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
So, it's almost time for the Horsetail Falls light show to (potentially) get started. Is there currently any water flowing over the falls? There is supposed to be some more rain/snow this weekend, which should help things out a bit. It was decent last year, but (like everyone else) I'm really hoping for a bit more water... 2/17/2014by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Looks like Porcupine Flat could be an option.by vitaminC - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Well... http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,77245 Not sure what I'm going to do at this point. I guess I could just go up and hope there are some permits available, which may be dicey on a Saturday. Or go back to my original HH plans.by vitaminC - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Does that include the backpacker's campground? I've been trying to get in touch with the wilderness permit office, but my timing seems to be very poor...by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Okay, looks like the Tuolumne backpackers camp is closed for the season. I suspect I could get a spot at Porcupine Flat on Sat night.by vitaminC - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Just checking out some options from 120. I've never been up to Clouds Rest or in that area, and it's definitely something I'd like to do. I guess by now the Meadow Fire is basically out? I don't want to get smoked out if I'm up there! I think I could get a permit for Sunrise on Sunday, which would let me just stay in the Backpackers camp on Sat night. Then I could day hike around Sat afternooby vitaminC - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the replies!by vitaminC - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
So I'm planning a quick trip next weekend. Depending on work, I'll leave either Fri afternoon or Sat morning, and will return on Monday. My current thought is to do the Lake Vernon/Tiltill Valley loop in Hetch Hetchy. Clearly it's pretty dry up there right now, though based on the YNP page (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildcond.htm) it seems that I should be okay for water, especiallby vitaminC - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks! Yes, we just need some hardy folks to go up there and pour some extra water over the top at the right time!by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
This is from the Southside drive viewpoint. Pentax K5 with Sigma 70-200.by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Here is the view from Monday night (2/17). The crowds weren't too bad. The key is not being there on the weekend... On Tuesday morning when I was out for sunrise photos, I didn't see anybody else around until I went to breakfast!by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Henry Coe is also a possibility. Just not ideal times for visiting those parks wrt prime scenery opportunities.by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Keep an eye on the road conditions updates, as it's supposed to snow Wed night...by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
We've all heard/read that the National Parks are "closed," how about the National Forests? Is there any reason I shouldn't go backpacking in Desolation this weekend? Clearly I can't get a permit, but otherwise it doesn't sound like there are any "stay out" messages being delivered. Anyone know differently? Thanks.by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the info! Looks like we'll be heading to Desolation instead... Will keep this in mind for future tripsby vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Great pictures! (as always ) Do you have a map of your route. I can pretty much guess where you went, though I presume you were mostly off trail? Looking for a 2-night trip to do first weekend in October, perhaps this area would be good- provided the weather cooperates.by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Depending on the source, I use either Aquamira or nothing. Both are light and cheapby vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotefullframe Perhaps its being over ambitions and crazy minded but I have a question about the JMT. For those of us that want to carry a "big camera" (Full frame dslr + lens) what is the availability at the resupply stops to recharge batteries. Note currently those solar chargers will not charge my camera's battery and 1 battery is good for a around 2k shots or roughly 5 days of shooby vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hey, I'm thinking about this for next year too! Elizabeth Wenk's book just arrived in the mail todayby vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
There are some cool options at Brown Dog Gadgets, like this USB solar charger. In fact, if you're really feeling industrious you can just by the kit and build it yourself! I've got the components for an AA charger, though I haven't put it together yet.by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I think it took us about 6 hours total. The final ascent is pretty challenging due to so much loose rock and the general steepness. It was a very nice trip, though I'm glad we got an early start as those that came later would have had their views substantially impacted by the smoke. When I got to the summit I had it to myself for ~15 minutes, which was very cool.by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
As part of a trip to hike Mt Whitney, we started off "easy" with Mt Dana for an acclimatization hike. From what I had read on the web, it sounded like it was just a "use" trail up to the summit, so I was surprised to see that it is in fact a well established trail with cairns leading you all the way to the summit. There were a few places near the top where it was a little tricby vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
This thread is getting a bit derailed at this point, so why not add in... To add a photo, first you need to host it on a server somewhere. I use smugmug.com, which costs money but is an excellent service. In fact, sign up with this link and we'll both same some $. Otherwise, try something like picassa. Second, get the URL for your uploaded photo; this will depend on the service you use. Oftby vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yes, that was me! Nice to meet you as well! Are you going to post up about your trip? It sounded like an excellent adventureby vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Look here for spots that aren't full. That's how I got started on my most recent trip... http://www.nps.gov/featurecontent/yose/upload/rptFullTrailheadDates.htm At the permit station in Tuolumne, there was a line up for the available non-reservable permits on both days I was there, however it wasn't a huge line. So you might have better luck starting out from TM.by vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Day 3 Being completely flat, the hiking on day 3 was pretty easy. However, due to the miscalculation mentioned above, it still took some effort to cover those last ~8 mi, as I was spent from the previous days. Despite that, I was on the trail a little after 6am, and this time hiked a couple more miles until I found a nice breakfast spot. Waiting for the sun. Cookin' up something goodby vitaminC - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion