5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

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maverick
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by maverick »

Hi Canyonexplorer,

Don't let all this info become overwhelming. Keep it simple, Cathedral Lakes area
is well worth the visit, Sunrise Lakes area is okay, but definitely not a need to
visit. The views at sunrise from the top Clouds Rest is gorgeous, and it is a lot less
visited as you will find out if decide to you climb Half Dome (can be a mad house).
If you decide to stay near the top of CR you will need to take water, no water at
or near the top.
There is good camping at the Sunrise/Clouds Rest junction that makes for a good
base to climb HD in the morning. Make sure you store your food well this is a nasty
bear problem area. Skip Little Yosemite Valley (zoo).
Consider hiking up to Glacier Point instead of down the JMT, and take the shuttle
down to the Valley to your car, beautiful views from the Panorama Trail and Glacier
Point. http://www.yosemitepark.com/glacier-point-tour.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Whichever route you decide to do keep it all in perspective (Russ :p) , it's about the
wilderness experience, period.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by rlown »

Yes. Mav is our comic relief. But he's right. keep it simple, take some time in between hikes as it it beautiful. and enjoy it. Hit your high points for this trip. you'll be back.

russ
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by AlmostThere »

Technically - and this is a technicality - never heard of anyone getting a ticket. The trail goes over the crest of Clouds Rest, and you aren't supposed to camp in a trail. Also you might find the top *a wee bit precarious* if you are sensitive to exposure. We've had folks have panic attacks just walking on it. As an active sleeper... I'd set up camp somewhere within a mile, and sit up atop for sunset, then navigate carefully back to my camp....

It would probably not be fun if a bear actually came along and knocked the canister off of Clouds Rest....

I only think of these things because of a long history of improbables happening on my outings. :rolleyes:
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by Wandering Daisy »

"It is hard to judge what constitutes a "long day" for any particular person/group. I personally think of the trip up to Volgulsang Lake as a half day backpack....flatlanders" do not do well"

My "long day" comment was based on the OP starting off in the Valley, taking the AM bus to Tuolumne, and then hiking up to Voglesang. For me, that would be a long day. If starting TM, obviously a lot easier.
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5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by wanderin.jack »

In the beginning of the Starr's Guide on page x there is a wonderful summary of a YNP trip I'd like take sometime.

Starr left the valley at noon on a Saturday, up to Merced Lake and up the Merced River over Isberg Pass to the middle fork of the San Joaquin, over to the Devils Postpile, back via Thousand Island Lake, Donahue Pass, Tuolumne Meadows, Lake Tenaya and back in the valley before 6:00 AM on Tuesday -143 miles. What a BAD-ASS.

I've never heard this route referred to other than in the Starr's Guide and I've done most of the route on various trips but would love to do it as one trip.

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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by markskor »

Impressive...143 miles in 4 days - why? You are passing through some of the most scenic trails Sierra; sounds like a lot of time hiking (looking at your boots) and not much time looking out. Having done this route, IMHO, 10+ days might work better.
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5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by wanderin.jack »

Not sure why Starr did it so fast but my hunch is a combination of his fitness level and work pressure. We all of course hike our own hike. I certainly did a lot of long hikes in short timeframes when I was in my 20s due to these same causes and conditions. Starr was a young Boalt Hall grad working at Pillsbury Madison, a very high profile law firm in SF. Usually young attorneys work pretty hard so I would speculate that the combination of energetic youth and work pressure were his motivations. I'd probably to this hike in the 10 days and resupply at Reds.


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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by markskor »

WD - Very sorry but the fault was probably mine. Somehow I had "quoted" your response and added my own after.
I think I was in ADMIN mode at the time and goofed...did not check if it posted correctly.
Again, very sorry.
Mark
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by canyonexplorer76 »

Wanted to say a BIG thank you to all who posted advice, tips, ideas, suggestions, etc. for my planned Yosemite backpacking trip later this summer. Faxed in my application last night and got the email this morning that I was issued a backcountry permit along with Half Dome permits for a trip during the first week of September.

After thinking over everyone's advice we scaled back our plan a little. We'll be doing a 5 day 4 night trip starting at the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead and ending in Yosemite Valley. We're hoping this will enable us to take our time and enjoy the sights along the trail while at the same time not biting off more than we can chew. I've also been thinking of getting a California fishing license and maybe doing a little fishing while there.

Now that we've secured permits I'm sure I'll have some more questions. First up for me though is a 40 mile trek through the Grand Canyon in just about 3 weeks from now so I'll be focusing on that trip for now and then the Yosemite trip after I get back.

Thanks again to everyone who posted for all the help so far.

--Todd
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by Wandering Daisy »

Check the price for an out-of-state CA fishing license before you get your heart set on fishing.

Eons ago, you could get a one day permit just for Yosemite at a much cheaper price. Not sure they do that any more.

I would love to see your Grand Canyon trip report! Hope you post it here.
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