For the next few weeks, presuming there is not much snow and GP Road is open, is the common practice to park a vehicle legally overnight (where would that be, if formerly-Badger-Pass is not allowed) and thumb a ride to Mono Meadow/Bridalveil Campground TH and go in that way? This time of year, what would the likelihood of getting a ride back to my vehicle from these trailheads on a Sunday afternoby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Good point. I didn't think to mention it, but that entered into my thinking as well. Even in the summer, I wanted to avoid the moisture, as my pad has Primaloft insulation internal and I prefer to keep moisture out - even if it won't turn to ice.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Ouch! That makes me feel even worse about missing my planned trip last weekend. I didn't realize the full consequences (last chance for 2016 season). So the people that stay in Ostrander Ski Hut ski/hike to the trailhead at Bridalveil Campground from formerly-Badger Pass, then hike/ski in along the trail? BTW, thanks for all the great TRs basilbop!by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I was afraid of that - I presume it's to allow snow removal. So beginning this Sunday, the Mono Meadows and Bridalveil Campground TH are affectively closed? Or difficult to enter? Is there a strategy to deal with this (just walk further)? The Glacier Point shuttle does not stop at these trailheads (per nps.gov/yose) The Badger Pass shuttle doesn't start until December (nps.gov/yose)by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
No. Won't waste everyone's time with the "why not?". Argh. Was thinking maybe this weekend, but weather not looking so good. When I do go, looks like entering at Mono Meadow (Illilouette Canyon) or Bridalveil Campground (Ostrander/Hart Lakes) would work well, typically have availability this time of year, and allow either lingering at destination then a return for out-and-back tripby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
+1 on the NeoAir Mini Pump. I was skeptical: "Really? REALLY? Now I'm bringing in a non-essential item that adds weight, takes up pack space, requires batteries, and is yet another thing to break - instead of just using my lungs?" is the way the internal debate went. It's really light. It's really small. It's quiet (enough - but not something I'd want running for more than a few minuby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks, that's a useful tip. I'll keep that in mind. Fully understand that canned food isn't a defense since they're small enough to be "bite sized" and are just punctured by the powerful teeth/jaws.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks to all who offered use of their smaller canisters. Very, very considerate of each of you. I'm going to use one of mine this time. If short trips like this become more common for me, I'll look into alternatives.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Good grief. This site is too valuable for this. Summary: Q: Are there any approved, compact (~250 cu. in) and lightweight (<1 lb.) backcountry bear-proof containers sized for solo, single-night trips into bear country? A: The Bearikade Scout and Bare Boxer Contender are both larger and heavier, but are currently the smallest options available. Contender claims 3 person-days, 275 cu. in andby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Will have to respond more appropriately in a bit. Until then, this is the result of my knee-jerk reflex to search on Bare Boxer: (I can't figure out how to embed the image, but you get the idea...) Men's Buck Naked Performance Boxers Men's Buck Naked Performance Boxers $22.50 - Duluth Trading Company No taxby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
This is great! Like I found a new park. I don't know how/why I've not been in this area - suspect it's because it's not "marketed" like Half Dome, Tuolumne Meadows, Cathedral Lakes, etc. From the TR and pix I've seen, Illilouette Creek Canyon looks beautiful - almost reminiscent of Cherry Creek. Starr King looks like a blast. Lots of long granite ridges to climb and follow. How did Iby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
It may be due to the disrespect many of us have seen for park regulations. It may be due to my wording. It may be something else. ** In any case, I'm *not* looking to "get away with" breaking the rules. ** I'll presume for now that even if I had no food at all, but stayed overnight in the backcountry, and a ranger stopped me, I'd need to present approved food storage. I can verifyby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotemarkskor Tests have shown a Yosemite bear can find an unopened can of tuna, one foot underwater. The wilderness permit rules say: unless there are bear boxes provided at your destination camp, (IE - LYV), you must carry a bear can if staying overnight. ...and up-front I made clear I realize I'm not an expert, and I don't think that the Rangers would agree even if I were miraculously corby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
It just occurred to me that I have no idea how to backpack for just one night in bear country. I have a 16" tall Bearikade and a Bear Vault 500. The former holds 7 days provisions for two people if packed carefully, and the latter about 5 days x 2 people. They weight about the same, 2.5 lbs give-or-take. Seems silly to bring along such a big canister for just one night (meaning just breakfasby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The frog habitat restoration through termination of trout restocking is only part of the story in Emigrant. The final (?) ruling after many years of arguing calls for all of Fred Leighton's check dams to be unmaintained, meaning they will eventually breach and the year-long streamflow (and enhanced spawning grounds) will revert to their natural state. In addition, some individuals have decided toby ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Well OK then. I don't know how or why I've missed out on Illilouette Creek (beyond Panorama Trail & Falls) all this time. Heck, I can even spell it correctly. I guess the dilemma now is whether to head to the Starr King area (enter/exit) via Illilouette Creek, or try to make the loop with XC travel to join with the Ostrander trail. I've never been to Starr King or Ostrander Lake. Could alsby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Well, I ended up here after being redirected by the pink bird as I'm looking for a short 2-day hike in this area. Turns out my wife is a born angler (fisher-person?). She's educated me about these critters. They are Caddisfly larvae. More here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caddisfly They wrap themselves in sticks and pebbles so they present themselves as a less tasty snack for fish. If yoby ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yup, did that on my way out after Merced/Red/Post/Fernandez (on the way out). Didn't actually take the excursions down to Chain Lakes or Breeze. I'll have to look for my trip report/log to remind myself of what that was like. The parts further north were spectacular, as I recall.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yeah that's a bit too long for two days. That's why I'm trying to find some way to make and out-and-back to Ostrander Lake (never been there) into a loop. It lookks doable from the topo map - over to Edson and then north back to Mono Meadows TH. What is Illilouette Canyon like?by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I have an open weekend coming up, and would like to get more time in Yosemite before winter sets in (and I lament the next 9 months for not getting into Yosemite enough during the summer... yes, I know the park is still open in the winter - I'm working on that...) I've been to a lot of places over the years - often more than once. There are three big gaps that I see when reviewing my routes:by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Wow. Great pictures and report. I've done a loop starting/ending at Quartz Mountain, over Merced/Red/Post Peaks etc. I've also walked from Happy Isles to Merced Lake then up to Vogelsang/Sunrise/Cathedral/Tuolumne. Your report (did I mention the spectacular pictures?) has prompted me to begin planning a hike next year (is it too late this year...?) from Quartz to Happy Isles. The canyon along theby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yes, there was a lot of step building close to the top on the east side of the pass. It was Friday, and I think that the crews work 4 on/3 off, or just don't work Fridays, or maybe just not that day. Ran into two different trail maintenance folks out on pleasure hikes that day, and there was no actual work being done, but lots of incomplete work in progress.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yes, I should have made that clearer to avoid confusion. I meant the signs indicating entering/leaving the NFS/NPS designated areas. I do like the old, rusted, torch-cut (apparently?) metal trail signs in Yosemite. They seem (to me) to be a reminder of "the olden days" in the park - but not environmentally damaging, like the firefall (I did not ever see that myself...). On the recentby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
You may be pleased to hear that when we traversed Mule Pass August 26th there was extensive trail rehabilitation clearly underway on the east side of the pass.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Speaking of signs... Have you noticed the difference between the NFS and NPS signs when crossing a boundary into/out of said areas? I was again reminded of the stark difference in aesthetic quality again when crossing over Mule Pass between Inyo NF and Yosemite NP. The NF signs blend in very nicely, with carved (routed) letters in natural wood stylized boards. The Yosemite signs look like theyby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I hate passing by a Spike Camp (can anyone share the reason for this name?). They always have really good food cooking, and I'm almost always really hungry... :-) They live well in the backcountry. Good for them.by ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Donner Partyby ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
This thread is quite old, yet I remember enjoying it when I first found it. I was researching the geology of Slide Mountain (in NE corner of Yosemite) and stumbled upon a picture of Casa Nevada (Snow's Hotel) that I hadn't seen here and thought others might also like. See here: https://books.google.com/books?id=OCWRomvHGVAC&lpg=PA168&ots=mAFLEcjt9U&dq=what%20caused%20slide%20mountaby ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteeeek <snip> Additionally another incident recently occurred in the LYV area after visitors stashed their packs to continue up the Half Dome Trail. The bear tore into packs and damaged gear. It is impossible to know what a bear might investigate out of curiosity. Keep all food and belongings within arm’s reach while hiking. <snip> I hadn't thought of this - and the implicatiby ags - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Not to go too far down a rathole, but if the marker itself is what is important, what's the point of placing markers to point to the marker? Why not a single, more prominent "main" marker? Extending the idea of witness markers would mean there could be "secondary witness markers" pointing to each witness marker. I'm really not trying to be a wise guy here. I'm just not follby ags - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra