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Trip Advice--High Sierra Trail

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 2:41 pm
by Shhsgirl
Two or three of us are hiking the High Sierra Trail from Crescent Meadow to Whitney Portal, over the space of ten days, starting this Sat., Aug. 23. I would really love to not take a bear canister. Does anyone know whether the bear boxes at the various trail locations are reliably full, empty, or not even there? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

Re: Trip Advice--High Sierra Trail

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 4:18 pm
by maverick
You will be fine Shhsgirl, bear box locations: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/bear_box.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Will say that even though they may weigh a lot, they give you the freedom to
camp wherever you wish, and that alone makes them worth carrying, especially
if you have 10 days on the HST, a lot to explore away from the bear boxes.

Re: Trip Advice--High Sierra Trail

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 4:28 pm
by rlown
carry a can. as mav points out, it gives you freedom to explore and not be tied to a destination.

Re: Trip Advice--High Sierra Trail

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 4:59 pm
by LMBSGV
Also, most of the bear boxes are in locations that tend to be heavily used by other campers. If you want a semblance of privacy, a canister will allow you to have it. Most of the best places to camp on the HST are locations without bear boxes.

Re: Trip Advice--High Sierra Trail

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 7:30 pm
by Shhsgirl
Yes, thank you Maverick and others, i just needed to hear it from the source. I will hump that canister and camp wherever I want!

Re: Trip Advice--High Sierra Trail

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 3:43 am
by Saltydog
Good choice. There are no boxes between Crabtree and the Portal, and canisters are required in Inyo between Trail Crest and Portal, so unless you want to hump from Crabtree to the Portal in one push . . . (not recommended) :bear: