Yeah, I don't doubt my buddy, he's really knowledgeable about SEKI and has decades of backcountry knowledge over me... The last time I spoke with someone they said Rangers were heading out to check out conditions and haven't reported back yet. Will have to call again to see. Considering there's nearly no snow though... my guess is it'll be fine. Apparently there's a good chance it'll be warmerby HikingMano - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hmmm, being up at East/Reflection in June might prove to be a little too chilly for the GF. I'm guessing Vernon and environs will be better suited for swimming and basking in June, being at only 6.5k'. The CW loop JKW mentioned sounds mighty appealing; I like water views too Sound about right? If so, looks like Vernon it isby HikingMano - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Gotcha. Thanks for the pic.by HikingMano - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Shrug, guess so, I've never been. 2011 was a pretty good year and it looks fast enough. Is that at Junction Meadow?by HikingMano - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Woooow!! Love it. Yeah, my buddy said he wouldn't dream of fording Bubbs following a normal snow pack, but this year may be doable. I'll call Wilderness Office and ask. If it's a green light, I think East may be it for this trip...by HikingMano - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yeah, i know, I was going to keep it to Yosemite, but the GF is thinking somewhere else would be nice. Oh, we'd definitely be going to Reflection, we'd just camp at East, probably outlet end, and then hike around. Maybe do Mt. Brewer if we can get up and down quick enough. I know, so many placesby HikingMano - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Awesome, thanks guys! Lots to chew on. I'll give all the places a look and report back if we end up at any of them. Right now, I'm leaning towards Vernon since it seems to be a classic and I haven't done much in the NW corner. The other front-runner is down in SEKI, a buddy of mine suggested East Lake. 13 miles in with almost 4.5k' gain, so probably a bigger day than the GF would want, butby HikingMano - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yeah, the Tilden to Tiltill would be if I could convince her to move shop every day again. Alright, sounds good, I'll keep Vernon in mind, thanks Chick-on, good stuff as usualby HikingMano - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks Chick-on, yes I did and yes she thoroughly enjoyed it That'll probably be our fallback. We also did GCT (again) and she liked that too but wanted something more relaxing for next time with some base-camping. I realize Rancheria climb is more gain overall, but I'd rather do that than the steep descent from WW, then hike to Pate, then up to Pleasant Valley in one day...she'd kill me. Tby HikingMano - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Been a while since I've posted, wowza. Been lurking off and on though. I'm currently browsing the forum for ideas, but thought I'd post up to see if anyone had any recs. I'm looking for trip suggestions for 4 days / 3 nights somewhere, hopefully in the high country but open to other parts of the park, for my girlfriend and me. I'm trying to keep this trip a little more on the relaxed side, hoby HikingMano - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yeah, their flapping can indeed be quite startling. Have experienced more of that, or hearing them from a little ways off, than them giving good photo ops like you folks scored. Great stuff, makes me wish I was out there right now. Alas...bills to be paid...by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thank you for the TR! Awesome grouse shot as well... my last sighting up at Grant Lakes wasn't nearly so cool... it just wouldn't poseby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Ah, just read eeek's thread, thanks . Well, let's just hope the situation resolves in a timely manner (and with real effect, not just band-aid measures), so we don't have to guess anymore.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Regarding BLM Lands, I did manage to find this release: Particularly relevant: QuoteBLM FAQWill I be able to visit BLM-managed public lands? All recreation facilities, including campgrounds, boat ramps etc., will be closed. If it is a non-developed recreational destination with no controlled access, you may visit. However, there will be no services and there will no non-emergency serviby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Awesome! Thanks for sharing the pics and thoughts. Good place to keep in mind .by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Haha, indeed. I forget which strain he has, but I think it's supposed to be one more amenable to training.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Good to know .by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yeah, haha, just making sure. I had this image in my mind of dude-rancher excellence on the trail, and sure enough, you're doing it That's an awesome story! A cold drink on a hot hike in a completely unexpected environment from kind strangers... kudos! No better way to convince someone, haha. Buddy of mine is working on training goats for his hunting trips. Interested in seeing how that goeby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Oh yeah, I was pickin the sticky stuff off my socks even with that little bit... Cool the trail allows llamas, do you use them as pack animals? (Last off-topic contribution from me, promise!).by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Nah, not your mistake, just the usual internet communication deal; it's why I wanted to clarify. Good point on having to drive back to Sinkyone if for some reason BLM access is truly blocked at or enroute to Mattole. My buddy and I were thinking about starting at Shelter Cove anyway, going S->N despite the wind, if for nothing else than to save a little time on the return drive to the bay.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteDaveI've always done it starting at Sonol, hiking to the "back pack area" setting up camp at either Hawks Nest or Eagles Aerie. Year 'round water there too. Then the next day hike to Maggies for camp. The next day it's all down hill to Del Valle. There's water about 3/4 of the way down from Maggies. Yeah, I'll probably do it west to east too, starting from Mission Peak maybe. Theby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteJayabrams [...]Now...If I happen to be passing Olmstead Point around sunset and I develop a leg cramp that requires me to stop and stretch, would that be bad? Safety first... I'm sure they don't want folks getting into accidents out there, taxing already limited resources... leg cramps are serious... best to take care of it at the opportune moment....by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Those sets are both from the section of the Lost Coast between Mattole and Shelter Cove, correct? That's the section of the Lost Coast are I'm hoping to do, though the southern side of the Lost Coast, from Needle Rock to Usal Beach, may be what we fall back to. If we do end up on the Lost Coast Trail from Mattole, since we won't be using a shuttle (too expensive), we may make a loop with Cooskieby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I'll probably do it this spring. I've day-hiked portions of it, never did it all in one go. Good to know the Maggies Half Acre spring runs all year, was thinking about day-hiking Rose Peak from either end sometime soon, but hadn't really looked into water supply yet. Anyway, sorry for going so far off-topic.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Ah, yes, the Leavitt Meadows self-serve permit situation is the same question. Hopefully someone who knows more can chime in . As for Sinkyone Wilderness SP, that's also been an option; I hear there are some really nice sections of mix mountain/forest and beach you can do on that end. I think we just have our minds set on the doing the iconic northern section (I've only ever day hiked the nby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I'm in the south bay. I have the local regional/state stuff as backup (Ohlone Wilderness Trail, Henry Coe SP, SPs in Santa Cruz Mtns, Point Reyes - strike that...national seashore), but ideally, I want to do an away trip. I day-hike the Bay Area all the time, but I prefer to get out elsewhere for backpacking. Plus, I find the east/south bay much more enjoyable in spring for the greenery and wateby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
In a similar boat, anyone know what would be the deal with BLM land? My buddy and I have been planning on doing the northern section of the Lost Coast in King Range NCA the last weekend of this month. I hear fines can be pretty hefty for "trespassers". I mean, we wouldn't be using any facilities at all and the permit is free and self-registered at the TH; it's not like we require any goby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the TR, looks like it was a nice quick trip . Seems like luck was on your side, with the permits being open and the lack of a crowd. When I was up there in mid August, there was a good number of people at WL8947. We found solitude though at the upper lakes in the Basin and up at Grant Lakes. Great pictures, the view from the Pass really is spectacular.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just beautifulby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yeah, that flexibility is a nice plus for the Trailstar! I hear/read the common complaints with the trailstar is that you lose headspace pretty quickly from apex to edges (in storm mode), I gather it hasn't bothered you two yet? I just want one for trips where I'm really expecting windy conditions.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion