Cool info...good discussion - thanks. FYI, at this point in time, my summers hike to fish... and these rafts (as now weight has come down to something manageable - ~ 3 pounds total raft and paddle) make fishing the high lakes a real treat. Agreed, it is fun! BTW, I have never portaged (carried a backpack) in the raft...interesting. Lakes fished Yosemite using the raft...Givens, Johnson, Royaby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for all insights from the Pink One. A bit confused though about a few other minor, boat-related items. 1) I notice in the many armada pictures shown that you guys do not seem to use a single kayak paddle..(You use two small paddles?)...why? I carry the Alpacka Ninja...two carbon fiber paddle blades with two powder coated aluminum poles. The single paddle arrangement is light, folds up sby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Another active boater here - just another dirt bag, slack water, lake fisherman for the past 2 - 3 seasons, a proud owner of the Klymit LWD, complemented by an Alpacka Ninja paddle... A cool backpack toy at ~3 pounds total. So far, have only put in at ~27 Yosemite Lakes, maybe another 5 - 6 here in Mammoth, another 20 or so misc Sierra...plus 25 or so in the Sawtooths too. BTW, Never have triedby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Mammoth Lakes at 7,800 elevation... Here in town a good 30+ inches of the white stuff everywhere...a lot more higher up too. The 4" has to be wrong.by markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Will Meyers has been updating Facebook. Here is his post from Saturday night, 11/21/15. Dear Every Member of US 395 / Owens Valley, The SAR crews have concluded their rescue mission. I have the overwhelmingly unbearable news to report that Michael did not make it out alive from the Meysan lake area. We as a family are absolutely devastated. But we are also thankful that they did in fact findby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Interesting post and a great report. . Many years back, also recalled reading that article - decided on a trip to Obelisk (and trying to find that supposed trail used by the Buffalo troops early Yosemite)...so, went searching for it... a visit to Adair and Obelisk going south, starting from the Merced River... now a few years back. First time tried, starting from the slabs south/ above the HSCby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Started as rain early morning...turned to snow about 10:00 AM. Now ~ 3 " on the ground, big wet flakes...white over yellow Aspens, here in town, Mammoth Lakes!by markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Re: hitchhiking in Yosemite As there is no parking along the 120 corridor now, so either being dropped off, hitchhiking, or walking up from the Valley are your only options right now to Tuolumne. As someone who thumbs a lot with a backpack, hitching a ride if a single (or a two...but not as easy to get a ride with enough room for two and backpacks) is not that hard in the park provided yoby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Pizza may be a great indicator for some - Myself, (if anyone Aramark is reading this?) - Please bring back the Curry buffet breakfast...one price. When Delaware North changed that long-offered service to their money-grubbing ala carte protocol - ($4 for a stack of cold pancakes?) - that's when I lost all respect. Maybe it is the age-old conundrum...Money vs. tradition.by markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
In Yosemite, the free buses Tuolumne are on the chopping block. The bus drivers mentioned that the only way to save this valuable resource is to drop a letter to the superintendent Yosemite. So, take a second and copy and paste below... yose_planning@nps.gov Superintendent Don Neubacher Aby markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Dry...sorryby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Good job but... Seems strange to arbitrarily close only certain select areas in the whole Tuolumne complex. Why did you not also close down and dust the Tuolumne Lodge area? Also left open, (right in the middle) -, the TM store - and the employees in back of the store were still housed there throughout the Deltamethrin dusting week.. Are these areas immune/ employees safe because of the mby markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
TM campgrounds update - backpacker closed Friday 8/14 morning. 2 positive plague results found - 2 dead squirrels - found near the TM SAR campground. In the bigger TM campground, those having already moved into the main campground being allowed to stay till Sunday, but no new patrons are allowed in...all, supposedly re-opens on Friday. Tuolumne Lodge, surprisingly remains open, as well as the Tby markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Have taken this bus 4X now - thoughts : With the PCT Peloton coming through this week, afternoon bus was full, to and from Valley (35+ riders). Driver mentioned the day before, 3 PCT were standing at the start. BTW, 90% of the riders are regular backpackers - backpacks ride under bus - big doors. Driver requests riders not open the bay doors themselves as can break easily. Let the driver open thby markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Wondering why the east terminus is at the Wilderness Center, Tuolumne.. Would.seem more logical to go all the way to the TM store complex, where the hikers usually congregate. Just curious what the reasoning was here. It would make more sense, if trying to avoid the cluster flock of the Store complex, have the Hiker bus board at the Standard Station/Gear Store - more convenient for all area hiby markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just now called - recording said open.by markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
FWIW, Tuolumne BP campground rules. Last year they allowed you to stay over, (even when main campground was still closed), as long as you tell them you either hiked in and/or came by YARTS. June weekends only - YARTS starts Mammoth - Valley 120 route...thus TM BP would be open? BTW, Daily YARTS 120 east side starts July 1.by markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Possible route - starting Vogelsang HSC - Tuolumne Pass - Reymond - Nelson - Matthes Lakes - Long Meadow - Sunrise HSC...mostly x-country... Have done this multiple times but in the reverse direction, always carrying a full backpack, but never all in one day. (see TOPO)by markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
As usual the Yosemite Valley BP site was completely packed this AM…tents and bodies everywhere…The late-arriving stragglers having filled in the holes. It was just that time when the early-morning risers, the actual backpackers, begin thinking about their day’s journey just ahead. Cowboy camping myself, I heard a noise, only to discover a bear just an arms distance away playing with my Bearby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
A close friend (does IT work at Early Intake) tells me horror stories about O’Shaughnessy Dam's interior. Seems that, over the years, little to no monies has gone back into maintenance work on the structure...the damn dam is falling apart from within. Considering the length of time (and money) a lawsuit takes, probably quicker to let it fall apart all by itself. Consensus there says 20 yeaby markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteKevinD Even with a nice wipe down/cleaning, would you recommend leaving the pot/pan in a bear can? Kevin No,... HYOH, but...just leave your clean pot outside somewhere...no worries...by markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Just to add, some might consider going up the hill in the afternoon, bagging/paying for a site, ($6 pp/night), just stashing their loaded packs in the large bear box... and then heading down to the store. While good thinking beer-wise and safe gear-wise, do not be surprised to find that exact spot you expected to sleep on occupied by a tent when you get back. Just because you have left your receiby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Afternoon and a weekday...no problem getting a site Tuolumne BP. BTW, safe to leave gear unattended - backpackers do not steal. So set up your tent, reserving your night-space... recommended. All food, etc in the bear box - paid receipt left on the small square numbered site pole. BTW, they also recommend leaving backpack inside the bear box, but if pack is completely empty/ tent set...never hby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotejmai13 I hear you aren't allowed to camp up top. Permit regs state "No Camping" unless you are 100 feet off trail (maybe that's 200 but whatever...). Since the Clouds Rest summit bloc is a knife-edge ridge - impossible to get that far off-trail at the very top. Thus illegal. That being said, there are plenty of nice holes/flat spots at the very summit to throw down a sleepingby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
You never mention if you are fishing... Agree that Smedberg makes an amazing destination with great camping sites at the SE end...great fishing opportunities exist there too, (if you know what you are doing). Additionally, the ups and downs from Cold Canyon...(Virginia Canyon and Matterhorn and Wilson Creeks route) makes a long hiking day, especially if going all the way to Benson in one day froby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
"($70 x 3 camps x 4 people = $840. Ouch!)..." Could be I am wrong (a usual), but those prices quoted above include all meals - B, L, and D. Suggest just purchasing the dinner option - It was ~$30 pp (and well worth it too! - BTW, includes a shower at Merced HSC). You would need to carry just one bear can though - your breakfasts, snacks, lunches, etc...(and maybe a bottle of sby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Bob asks - Is there any reason this is a bad route through the high country? Bit confused here...TM is 8,800'. Up the Lyle to 10,000' gets you 1/2 the way up Donahue, return same way? What is the latest time and location for catching the shuttle from Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne? Two buses - Evening bus (~$8.00) - Yos. Valley -> TM. Leaves 5:00 PM in front of the stone wilderness center neaby markskor - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Respectfully, something about this thread boggles my mind. Does anyone in Yosemite Valley really need an Ap of the Yosemite shuttle bus schedule? Why would that be when the shuttle buses do not run on time? Too often have seen someone lambaste/ berate a Valley shuttle driver because the bus was a few minutes late...then get on the bus and refuse to move back, even when asked...or enter by theby markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Oh, forgot to add the typical 20 minute delays due to road maintenance issues, and the length of the lines at entrance stations.by markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Having availed myself often of the many Valley, Tuolumne, and Yarts buses, (and knowing many of the drivers) - All I know is that even with set schedules, actual times often vary greatly - even hourly depending on - Crowds, traffic, time of day, weather, (phase of the moon?), driver attitude, and whether or not some dufus spots something like a deer, bear, or rock and stops their car right in tby markskor - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion