In regards to Black Bears (Ursus americanus) not North American Grizzlies (Ursus arctos horribilis)... QuoteDavidSenesac Ulyssses61 >>>"Over the years I have encountered at least 40-45 bears in the Yosemite backcountry. I have never met an aggressive bear. Without any exception, they were all very timid and ran away (FAST). Even when I have seen mommy bear with cubs they have beby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks so much for the time and trouble to provide us with a great response ... we printed out your email and added it to our "file" of places to go. This summer will be our first without children (we promise we didn't kill them.... they are actually graduating HS and going off on their own adventures) keeping us tied to the valley and we are chomping at the bit to get out and explore!by riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteapeman45 The north side of Forester pass had the best sky pilot display I have seen but that requires an extended backpacking trip and I was lucky to hit the bloom perfectly. We saw them on the south side of Forester in 2010 on June 30th as well... the North side was still blanketed in snow from just above center basin ( i think that is what it was called) clear up to the last 50 feet toby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
What is the nearest town or highway to the Sky Ranch road turn off and how long does it take to get to the TH from that point? What about Granite TH? We are thinking of going into that area this summer and know very little about the roads and such in the area you are discussing. We are considering entering via mono meadows or DPP but would like to explore new areas.by riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Once you get past the Ireland Creek trail turn-off camping is legal. Going from Young lakes all the way up and over Donahue in a day is ambitious. Yes, the first 6 - 8 miles of Lyell are a pleasent stroll. Hiking up to Donohuse pass the last couple of miles is very steep. I am certain someone on these boards will know the elevation gain in the last mile or two up to Donahue. It's pretty intenby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
What a great trip! Those who mentioned Shadow Lake might be off limits for camping are correct. We did the last 60 miles of the JMT from DPP to Happy Isles last summer and because our permit was through the Inyo Nat'l Forest we got all the regs for the area. I agree with the others that Rosalie and Gladys are nice but not really worth the effort. Ediza is worth it. I don't think any oby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotechick-on They took the shot of the lady having her roast stolen by the bear just west of Leidig Meadow... west of the Merced... (the shot at 4:15 of the video) This isn't anywhere near the current day backpackers campground. I've never even driven in there... but I guess there still is a group campground at "Sentinel Beach" and there def. used to be a road right to where theby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Wow. I remember Gage & DeSoto and Emergency, but not a program called Sierra. Did you notice backdrop of the woman cooking the roast that eventually gets eayen by the bear? In the estblishing shot to the scence there is a tent I guess to imply she is camping. It looks as though she is in the valley , but up around the west end. Can anybody tell where the shot takes place in the valleyby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteDB1 Quotebenoit Hey, I could try to do that! I'd have to check with my friend though. I know he isn't fond of getting kidnapped. (and according to him, that is what happens when you hitch a ride) Thanks! ben I would worry more about being able to find a ride back than in getting kidnapped. We've hitched rides a couple of times in the park with pretty good success.....might be beby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoterightstar76 I don't know the statistics on Yosemite, but in San Francisco, for example, it had its driest Decembers in 1876 and 1989 with no rain. So in the bay area it has been this dry before. I was reading the NWS forecast discussion last Friday December 30, and this is what the forecaster at the San Francisco Bay Area/Monterey office had to say about it: From http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/tby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
If you have some flexibility in your schedule you could always spend a night or two in the backpacker's CG in TM before your night in GA and do some day hikes to help you acclimate. Just sayin...by riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotechick-on Here's Tenaya from Dozier area just N of Lower Cathedral: Lighting not that great... but can only take it when I'm there... so u get what u get... A beautiful shot regardless of the lighting (looks good to me).by riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteeeek Quoteplawrence But how do you know what the Yosemite Conservancy's position would be? Have you asked them? Have they stated it publicly somewhere? I just know. (Here's a hint: who is the head of the Conservancy?) Oh I wanna guess! ......Is it you?by riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I like the idea of going off trail and finding new places.... we are starting to look into doing such things thanks to you folks. Good luck on your plans to head west. California has its issues but there are some great perks to living here.by riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It is inspiring to know that you are still out getting it done at 70. Sorry your wife struggles with her lungs but equally inspiring to know that she still does what she can. I love all the ideas you shared about places to go and will look some of them up in this board. Thanks for telling me about yourself.by riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I come to this board often to learn and live vicariously through the adventures of the many of you who post in both word and image, your explorations of our beloved national park Yosemite and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains. After reading and laughing and learning so much I have become curious about the many of you who post regularly. Hope I am not overstepping boundaries or being nosy buby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Wow! Beautiful pictures! Love the firefall ....that has to be spectaular to witness in person.by riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
We saw one of these this summer above Merced Lake HSC on the trail to Washburn Lake. We also ran into two gals who were interns for the NPS camping at the ranger cabin just beyond Merced Lake. Their job was to hike up and down the trail and count human contacts at some specified time interval (I think it was like every two or four hours) . One would head back towards the HSC and the other upby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
WOW! great pics of the same location.... had no idea that tamarak creek was like that.. Do not think I will attempt that crossing either. Being swept away by a raging torrent of water ranks right up there with falling off the side of forester pass. Loved your second creek crossing Eek... made me laugh out loud. I am thinking the Pohono trail might be fun for winter but I still hope toby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteplawrence Quoteriverkat If you all have ideas for other winter hikes please do share. As long as you don't mind hiking through the snow, the Pohono trail can be nice in winter, as can the El Capitan trail through Ribbon Meadow from the Big Oak Flat/Foresta Road Trailhead. Snow just adds to the adventure and challenge - so long as things are not trecherous (like say doing Foresterby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the info! We have every intention of staying on the trails and staying clear of trouble. This board is one of the best sources of info I have come across and I appreciate everyone's input. Ideally we can get up there before the snow gets too bad as we are not skiers - just hiker/backpacker types. We do look for trails that push us physically so we welcome the challenge of the steepneby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I have read acouple of things about the snow creek trail.... and am wondering if you folks have any information on the following.. I read that later in winter there are some avalanch zones along this trail..... does any one have any references as to where they are? Does the NPS post anything on the trail, in print or on the web where I can reference avalanche information? How long is theby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Is 120 closed for the season? The cal trans website says "closed due to snow" but not "closed for the winter". Does anyone have any info on whether or not it will reopen in 2011? Does anyone know how much snow is up on Gin flat or up along the snow creek trail? Would either place be good for snow shoeing? We have a long weekend coming up and are itchin' to get out.by riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Pretty! Pretty! Pretty!by riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteplawrence The L.A. Times article didn't delve too deeply how the cattle grazing specifically impacts the survivability of California's golden trout. I know the major impact grazing has on the meadows itself, but exactly what's the negative impacts on the streams and creeks in regards to the golden trout? quote] I would guess it has a lot to do with poo and a little bit to do with desby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Here are some websites that update fall color on the eastern slope just in case any one needs one ..... http://www.californiafallcolor.com/?m=201109 http://www.monocounty.org/fall-colors/ When do the colors turn in the valley?by riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the link - what a great website! I looked at the pictures and I looked at a map to find the distance. Wish I was good enough to do that one in day! What a gorgeous lake. We are thinking of backpacking this area next summer. (Hopefully red peak pass is not scary) My sons will have graduated high school by then and we will no longer be tied to the valley because of football practicby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotembear If you're lucky, you might get my favorite parking spot SCARY. That picture makes my stomach knot up.by riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a 10 -14 mile day hike in the Glacier point road area. We have not done much hiking in that portion of the park save the hike from Glacier Point to Happy Isles and would like to explore it further. We like to "get high" and experinece vistas and we like to go to lakes. We were considering Ostrander lake but want to know what else is inby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteVince When I was a teen I was driving down a highway and a careless driver pulled out of a side road, hit the rear quarterpanel of my car and sent my car off the road, rolling sideways. I rolled maybe 5 seconds before landing upright in a ditch and I walked away unhurt. But during those five seconds I figured this was it, I was dead and I really did see my life flash before my eyes, little sby riverkat - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion