I like it, too. I like how people are drawn to it like a magnet and stay off the other summits. You all can have half dome with the kerjillion others. I'll wave from my empty summit with a better view a few miles away.by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The U2 tree fell naturally after a big storm several years ago - you can see how the wash undercut it. People have built quite a shrine to it out there. It's a short walk across the desert just off of 190 between Olancha and Darwin. I'm not a crazed U2 fan but for some reason the Joshua Tree album has always been my desert driving music so it is fun to stop from time to time. The 120 campsiteby calipidder - General Discussion
Spent memorial day weekend working our way up the east side with a dip into western death valley regions. Visited Centennial Canyon for the petroglyphs And did the run up to Cerro Gordo (both the peak and the private town - check with the caretaker before a visit) Said hi to U2's Joshua tree Climbed the very easy but seldom visited Jack Gunn peak (and Boxcar Cabin) Sby calipidder - General Discussion
Interesting ideas - I still have one or two long weekends to fill later in the summer, might try to squeeze in a visit around the area (Cony Crags have always looks interesting)by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
*sigh*. So I suppose pouting and stomping my feet like a bratty 5 year old isn't gonna work... I hate the in-between season. I hate it even more when it's drawn out like this year. Either snow or summer, stop teasing us, pick one!by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It is a smooshed bug on the windshield. I mean, yup, it sure does look like a UFO. Better contact the authorities.by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I drove it once in a gnarly sleet storm. Ugh, what a nightmare. We were at travertine hot springs this morning and the lenny clouds over the mountains had us wondering if it was snowing/storming again up there. Luckily the skies were clear until the descent. Although, with snow banks that high you'd just bounce around like a pinball if you lost traction instead of going over some edge. The giby calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
And the pass proper... Still a lot of melting to go, folks.....by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks to that godawfully slow RV for finally pulling off and giving me the opportunity for a perspective shot. (taken from the passenger seat of a lifted Toyota Tundra, if that helps with the perspective at all - the right side snow banks are probably 6 feet tall). Shot taken a couple hundred feet below the pass on the east side. Still is a ton of snow even on that side.by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I went over Sonora Pass earlier today and there were crazy amounts of snow. I'll post pics once I get them off my camera.by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Chilnulana Creek (just up from the crossing) June 12 2010. It was uncrossable. Saw many people turn back or wander up and down the creek trying to find a place to cross. And it will be worse this year.by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I wonder if Horton Creek campground is affected? The only time I've ever seen it full is memorial day weekend (along with all the surrounding campgrounds) due to Mule Days in Bishop. Not a good time to have lots of prime camping territory off limits. Glad I'm planning on playing south of there this weekend.by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Looks like there will be some great trip reports to read by the end of summer.by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Wheeeeeeee!!!!! I've always wanted to do that.by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
After a winter and spring season of too much business travel and not enough outdoor time, I've finally been able to sit down and figure out some summer adventures. Thankful for a lot of accumulated vacation time and comp time from sitting on 11 hour plane rides. A couple of Yosemite-area options are on the table for shorter outings but my longer trips will be a bit south. And pushed back into latby calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I can't remember - how does the mt whitney system work? I've only done it when coming from the JMT or HST so haven't had to deal with the permit nightmare. Does Whitney have this problem? I've seen people arrange simultaneous permit switches (both call Inyo NF and cancel then call back and reserve the new open spots) but that only seems to work by doing it the 'legal' way. I just reserved a pby calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the link. I should probably update that post with some newer info, although it pretty much still stands on its own. I still am a fan of my ursack but most of time I carry my Bearikade for peace of mind. That's one thing that rarely comes up in the bear canister argument. Usually it's three variables: approved status vs weight vs cost. I feel like I sleep a bit better when I have a hby calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I don't really care about the names of things I climb. I mean, if you're a rock climber it all quickly becomes nonsense anyways (page through a book of climbing routes at any location for a few laughs). I mean, come on - what did Julius Caesar ever do to earn a peak name in the Sierra? Sure, it overlooks Lake Italy, but what did Italy ever do to get a lake named after it in the Sierra? (and so onby calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I've always loved Horton and Tuttle creek campgrounds. If I have to stay in one it might as well be one of those. Usually quiet and uncrowded, a nice place to crash the night before and after an eastside backpacking trip. I've always enjoyed the sparse amenities - no running water and basic facilities probably is what keeps the crowd down. Not sure what they'll be upgrading and I hope it doesn'tby calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Some people like to call that blackmail. Talking with some folks about the Henry Coe situation the last time this came up, the estimated costs to pay for the security to keep *us* out of *our* lands would be more than the annual cost of keeping the park open and collecting fees. Also, I hope all of the citizens of california are enjoying the extra $17 they have in their pocket due to votinby calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
A friend who hiked towards Half Dome last weekend reports probe results of 6-8' on the last mile to subdome. 0-4' on subdome leading up to the cables.by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I don't recall it being difficult - in fact I barely remember it at all and I just did it last november. I tend to remember the hard stuff . I know I did it with a dslr camera with an 18-200mm lens hanging around my neck. But like everything, it's all relative. I am comfortable on class 2-3 terrain and regularly do off trail travel. But i havent always been. I imagine this would have been terrifby calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hey yosepines, you've just alienated a customer base by spamming the boards. Nice job.by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
(shhh....I have a sooper sekret to share: I've never climbed Half Dome). (where is that :shock: emoticon when you need it?) I've done a *lot* of other stuff but I've never felt a pull to HD or a desire to do it. Other mountains, yes - last year I finally did Conness which was a huge 'bucket list' peak for me. Not difficult, I just kept putting it off in favor of other peaks, and every time I'by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotechick-on Wondering if they are partaking of the Fruit Pies too. 2007. Death Valley. Potluck Dinner. Found out Mr Fox was a connoisseur of fine tortilla chips and banana cream pie. Sneaky bastard. He didn't even bring anything to contribute to the potluck.by calipidder - General Discussion
Heee that's the danger of letting stuff fall below the fold (I swear I looked, my scanning eyes must not be as good as they used to be)by calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
There's a new Yosemite Nature Notes! Yaaaaay!! I love these. The newest one is about one of the architectural treasures of the Valley, the Yosemite Rangers' Clubby calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
You missed the part where I said "law abiding responsible gun owners". I know many of them, and they are far from "untrained idiots". In fact, if I would want anyone around me in those situations I'd want someone who had been through responsible gun training and practice including keeping a cool head and a steady hand in stressful situations. ETA: Not too long ago I felt thby calipidder - General Discussion
If I were in that situation I'd rather that the odds be that there are guns in the hands of law abiding responsible gun owners around me than just the nutcase with one. Maybe if there was someone carrying legally nearby it wouldn't have been the massacre that it was and we wouldn't be spending years and millions of dollars prosecuting the nutcase. Just sayin'.by calipidder - General Discussion
I usually take 120 into yosemite and across to 395. I fill up in Oakdale. Cheap. Can make it to and from the the park with 1/2 tank to spare (regardless of which vehicle I'm in). If I'm heading over to the east side I'll fill up again in Bishop - Piute Palace gas station is usually cheaper than home. I've never *had* to fill up with expensive gas except once or twice in bridgeport or whoa nellieby calipidder - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion