Looks like a nice relaxing trip! All the evening and morning colors were nice.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yes, we were up against the wall. We came across a use trail north of Roget and followed that, which led us up towards the wall. The route finding was fairly easy for the first 90% or so, then got tricky near the top. We zigged when the preferred route zagged, ending up in some solid class 3 and too far left (northeast). But even with some class 3, the scramble was enjoyable.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Nah. You don't need a Cubs hat to travel with me. Heck, the Crazy Guy rooted for the Indians in the World Series against the Cubs. I don't know why the Awesome Lady is still with him after that!by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I've always wanted to go check out Bear Lakes Basin, for obvious reasons. While that was the plan, it didn't work out that way. The plan was to head over Piute Pass and roughly follow the Sierra High Route past Merriam Lake and into Bear Lakes Basin, then cut across to Italy Pass and work our way back via Granite Park and Royce Lakes. But we ran into two problems. First was thunderstorms, the secby Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Late last week. We got lucky, as we went up the JMT we could see the valleys behind us filling up with smoke.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
One of my hiking partners (the crazy guy) turned 50 recently and he wanted to do something special to celebrate - a 50 mile trek in the Yosemite high country. We parked near Lembert Dome and went up Lyell Canyon. This is the first time we've been up Lyell Canyon since they rerouted the trail and we like what they did. I always wondered why the trail was through the meadow instead of on the nearbyby Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Who said any bears ski? That backcountry skiing looks like a lot of work. My trick is to be slow enough, small enough, and cute enough for others to want to carry meby Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Last Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday looked like utility company and/or contractors doing dam work or something similar. Wednesday earlyish, we followed a caravan of "Star Wagons" (mobile dressing rooms) up the canyon and saw the WB logo in a few places and waited for 15 minutes or more while they moved vehicles around. CHP was doing traffic control.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I had a lot of fun, my only complaint was not having enough time and energy to do more! Speaking of photography, I guess I lied about my only complaint - my other complaint is that the Sierra and particularly Yosemite are so beautiful and awesome that my pictures just can not do it justice. Where is the other arch? There is a lot of Yosemite I need to explore yet.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I'm awake and hungry now. Very disappointed my friends didn't wake me up for any backcountry skiing this year. They say they didn't get a chance to do any, but whatever, they obviously didn't try hard enough. Anyway - they cheered me up with a longer version of our annual Tioga Pass opening pilgrimage. The first day was our traditional frontcountry mini-hikes, this time we did Olmsted Point, Tenaby Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Sweet! I've been looking at doing something like that soon(ish). So many things to do.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Well that explains why I've been so hungry and tired lately.by Ursa Minor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yeah, but isn't that via Elizabeth Lake, over to Nelson, then over the ridge, spend some time paddling around on a lake...?by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Nice! It is difficult to really capture the enormity of those trees, and you did a good job of it. Thanks!by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
My pleasure. As to how long it takes, I am hesitant to really say since everyone has their own pace. With the disclaimer out of the way, the round trip (out and back) is about 17 miles and took us about 7 hours. I was planning on 9-10 hours of hiking. We are pretty fast hikers though (nearly 3 mph pace) and conditions were nearly perfect, so take that into consideration. Bring a lunch, leaveby Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Perhaps one or more of my hiking partners reads this forum. Because after I posted that I wanted to do more in Yosemite, my partners have been trying to do more in Yosemite. Saturday we hiked to Vogelsang Pass and back. The day started cold. Frost in the meadows, and a quick stop at the Lyell Fork bridges to add a layer of clothing. We went quickly up the Rafferty Creek trail. Near the top ofby Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
While on a little walk in Yosemite on Saturday, we came upon this: Yes, we are too close here, but ptarmigan are not easy to spot! I love coming upon my fine fine feathered friends and enjoying their company. But what should we do when they (or any other animals) are on the trail and not going move anytime soon? We went a little off trail to go around them. Thanks!by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
#2 has that southern Sierra vibe going on. The one between Cottonwood Lakes & New Army Pass?by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
We hiked around in the Mammoth Lakes basin on Friday, enough snow to get the paws wet, but not enough to obscure the trails. We did see snowboard tracks on Mammoth Crest. My best guess is that snow will not be a factor Monday.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
May not have been likely, but perhaps it was just that cold. Brrr. Tried to hike Mt Tallac, got snowed out at Cathedral Lake, next morning hiking partners spent several minutes cleaning a couple inches of snow off the car.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Ahhh. Makes sense. Thanks!by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Well, it is not likely to be this cold: OTOH it won't be as warm as daytime July 1. I'm not sure what the 37/27 rating means. I've started using a 20deg F bag most of the time, and a 0 deg bag for winter and early spring ski trips. I used to use a 32 deg quilt, but wasn't quite warm enough even in summer. Your mileage will vary.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I'm likewise more looking for a durable surface, but I'll happily stay on an existing site if there aren't too many other people around. I'll add that the 100' from water is to also protect the delicate riparian ecosystem along the banks of streams and rivers. All the crap we carry with us from bug spray and sunscreen to the bacteria on our skin can and will mess with the riparian ecosystemby Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I don't normally post about our non-Yosemite adventures, but figured I would since my deadbeat partners can't seem to do enough in Yosemite! Something about the number of people. Besides, the northern slopes of the Middle Fork Kaweah is where I'm originally from. The Saturday of Labor day weekend my partners went down to Anaheim being sort of (in)famous with interviews or something, while my brby Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
It has become a tradition for my partners and I to do something in the Tuolumne Meadows area at the first possible opportunity after the road opens. Unfortunately the last few years have been all short front country walks instead of any long hikes or backpacking. This year, one is recovering from ankle surgery so we kept it easy. First stop was Tenaya Lake for the annual outlet crossing.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
You should place unwrapped chocolates, sausages, cheese, tortillas, or you know pretty much any food on the trail... Err uh, my hiking partner tells me that would not be good. He says I should relate what he did when "Blondie" tried to invite himself to lunch on the High Sierra Trail... Several years ago, my hiking partners and I had set out to hike the High Sierra Trail in SEKI.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Oh right. How did I miss that. Not far from my old home.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Palisades, south fork big pine.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Nice. My partner caught a half moon this weekend. from a bit further south.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Oh. Yeah. Not polite to ask a lady her size. But we don't mind, 11 oz and 6" to the shoulder.by Ursa Minor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra