I was there on 8/12-8/14. Water is was plentiful. Remember, we had a record snowpack. You could literally hear water gurgling everywhere. Wildflowers everywhere. Mosquitos...well, the last day was bad. First two were perfect due to three previous nights getting below freezing. Two water crossings? There were three. One at the very beginning. One about 1/3 mile in. And then the creek about 2.5 milby bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I believe the earliest the half dome cables go up is Memorial Day weekend, though I think in the last few years (of low snowfall) they went up before then. This has not been a year of low snowfall.by bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quoteparklover Quotebruck Quoteparklover Quotemarkskor Quoteparklover . There are a lot of idiots out there. Respectfully disagree. In Yosemite when someone free climbs the nose route of El Cap or ice climbs the Yosemite Falls ice dome...or dons a flying squirrel suit and bombs off Taft...or slack lines Lost Arrow...or hang glides off Glacier...all part of our local culture - lauded, televised,by bruck - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteparklover Quotemarkskor Quoteparklover . There are a lot of idiots out there. Respectfully disagree. In Yosemite when someone free climbs the nose route of El Cap or ice climbs the Yosemite Falls ice dome...or dons a flying squirrel suit and bombs off Taft...or slack lines Lost Arrow...or hang glides off Glacier...all part of our local culture - lauded, televised, admired. But if you're coby bruck - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just to update what chick-on had mentioned a few weeks back, the tough creek crossing is still quite treacherous. I just got off the phone with a park ranger and he noted that hikers have had to turn around, and one pair spent a couple days on the other side of it in an effort to wait it out. And he said one guy tried crossing it using a rope.by bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Awesome pics! If you believe that the crossing on the Mono Meadows trail could be treacherous, maybe I will wait a couple weeks. Thanks!by bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Wow, a response from THE Chick-on. What an honor! I've only been at this for a couple of years, and those were severe drought years, so dealing with an abundance of snow and water is a new experience for me. Thanks for the advice!by bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I've been scouring the maps the last few days trying to find a Memorial Day Weekend trip that won't involve too many water crossings or snow. In your opinion, would Ostrander to Hart to Royal Arch Lake be a route worth taking? I see some snow in the badger pass webcam and a lot of soupy ground. Even if the route is clear, would I be setting myself up for a mosquito ambush?by bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
It was indeed spitty out. I think that helped taper down the numbers though (as well as sunscreen use). I did go with the Vernon Lake loop. I imagine under more pleasant conditions that trail may be a little too crowded (maybe not around Vernon, but definintely at Rancheria Falls).by bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for all the feedback! I apologize. Yes, backpacking. I have a reservation for Cathedral Lakes (along with 0 degree bags). I can use the tried and true Chick-on method (even though I am new here: in Chick-on, I trust). I certainly have the bags for it. Just Keep Walking, we are doing 3 nights (starting Thursday). 8 miles is the distance my wife has been comfortable covering inby bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I hope this isn't breaking a sacred code, but I thought I'd see if anyone might be generous enough to share any favorite lower elevation spots in Yosemite/Sequoia for camping. Due to the drought, my wife and I blocked off time early this year (later this week). But the anticipated temps are somewhat lower than what my wife is accustomed to. She's handled sub-40 nights at Sunrise Lakes, but itby bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
So would entering the half dome lottery for Friday be foolish?by bruck - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I've got news for you, that first pond pictured is beaver-made alsoby bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The Native American is painted on a boulder along the dirt road entering/leaving Lundy Canyon. It's been there since at least October of last year. I disagree on the style being similar. However, how is this girl not already facing charges? How is what she's done any different than this cretin http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/31/us/utah-boulder-boy-scouts/ And I highly recommend no one visit heby bruck - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I also don't think you need to mess with a pack. Personally, I do a lot of running. But not too crazy. I stick to three runs a week, peaking out at about 23 miles for a weekly total. But those aren't level miles. I live in Los Feliz so I hit Griffith Park pretty hard, along with incorporating the stairs throughout Franklin Hills and Silverlake. If you like Griffith Park and want to mixby bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
4am? Yikes!!!! Scratch that off the list I'm planning to go next week. I'll just go do some more research and dig up some alternatives. Rumor has it Yosemite has plenty of those! Thanks for the help!by bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hello, What a wonderful site. I have been consuming its contents for weeks. I am curious as to what the exact protocol is for the dispersal of day-of permits. I called the Tuolomne Meadows permit desk and the ranger was more than a little tight-lipped about it. He wouldn't even give his opinion as to an appropriate time to arrive. I understand that 10AM is when unclaimed permits are releaby bruck - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra