Rick-- The Hites Cove 4x4 Rd generally runs north south. The closed section is between Jerseydale (roughly) and the South Fork River. It continues north, rises to the saddle, then descends to Indian Flat/Cedar lodge at ther main Merced River. That northern segment is open, though part of it has been washed away after the fire and fall rains of 2018. It is the east-west ridge trail from the Wawoby Explorer10K - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Rick- - The general forest closure has been lifted, but 4 trails are closed, easily through spring of 2020. 1) Hites Cove from 140; 2) Hites Cove 4x4 Rd; 3) Savage Lundy Trail; and 4) the trail segment between Savage Lundy and Hites Cove 4x4 Road, parallel and above the river. None of these affect your route. None- Mtn Bikes are prohibited on the Hites Cove Trail. NOTE: The trail on the USGSby Explorer10K - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
We're still working the Hite's Cove Trail. It is still officially closed, but we'll hear from the SNF at the end of March/early April if they will open it. More trail work days are planned; let me know if you'd like to join a crew.by Explorer10K - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The Ferguson Fire has removed a lot of vegetation from the area northeast of the confluence the Merced River and its confluence with the South Fork. One trail I've always wanted to track is from Hwy 140 to the ridge overlooking Hite's Cove. This track would be east of the current path. Any takers. It'll likely be dusty, dirty and somewhat hazardous.by Explorer10K - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Curious about the trail between Wawona Road and Hwy 140, which parallels the South Fork of the Merced River? We'll, don't let a line on a map fool you into thinking it actually exists. In a way it does, and in more ways it doesn't. While it's possible to follow (I've backpacked it twice), there are no bridges or cables over the South Fork, many trail segments are simply lost to time and nature,by Explorer10K - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
A trail work event on the South Fork is planned for 2018- June 11, 12 and 13. Come for a day, come for all three! On Monday, June 11, 8:30AM meet at the Alder Creek TH on the Wawona Road. We'll hike 4.5 miles down to the South Fork of the Merced River, setup camp by the river, and then explore the area between our campsite and Grapevine Camp to find and mark the location of the lost trail segby Explorer10K - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I'll be chatting with Mr. Williams this Sunday. I'm familiar with the old Pinoche trail from Peachtree, and traced a bit of it on the ridge between Canty and Pinoche. I'd like to scratch that out to Pinoche someday. But what really interests me is locating the trails used by the Mariposa Battalion. I've not buying the story of them going up to the meadows and down to Pohono; I think they cameby Explorer10K - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
After doing a bit of research, yes, I've done the Snaffle Bit trail- back in '86 when I worked as a temp for resource management on the "wilderness impact" project. Great times. Bby Explorer10K - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I'll keep you posted on this and other planned forays into the woods.by Explorer10K - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Kistler and Bishop Creek points are different. By your numbers-map, trip 3 focuses on the 8.7 mile reach, east of Peachtree all the way to the point where the Alder Creek Trail crosses Bishop Creek. That is the trail segment identified for maintenance work. The trip will start at the Wawona Road trailhead at Alder Creek, and end at Savages, however. I've backpacked this route twice, once in miby Explorer10K - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
It'd be great to have you along. The planned trips are described below: Trip 1 (May 30 & 31): This outing consists of two independent work days focused on a 3 mile segment of the western end of the South Fork Trail, west of "Stripped Rock." The primary goal of the trip is to repair existing tread. This work will occur on the Hite's Cove Trail" segment- easy access. Trip 2by Explorer10K - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Those with an interest in revamping this trail, do let me know. In partnership with the SNF and local watershed council, we have 5 trail work days planned.by Explorer10K - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Wherever- Thanks for sharing your trips on these off-the-beaten path excursions. I'm glad to know there are many others who appreciate and enjoy the paths less traveled.by Explorer10K - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion