High Sierra Topix

I'm more concerned about the kids regarding the elevation change. They've gone from sea level and day hiked at 8k without any difficulty. We're starting at sea level then car camping one night at 2000', second night at about 6000', and hoping to car camp even higher on the third night. With good hydration and slow pace hoping to get over Piute Pass and into Humphrey's on the fourth night, but could opt for a bivy before the pass and go over the next day. Maybe I'm over-thinking all this and I should just camp wherever looks good!

Following up on WD's suggestion re acclimatizing, another 7000 foot option is the Lundy Canyon campground operated by Mono County. First come first served, no reservations, nice forested sites along Mill Creek, great day hikes upcanyon past numerous waterfalls.

I think your plan is fine and you have plenty of options. Much better than finding out you have a very uncomfortable/sick kid or worse, then have to bail. Ask me how I know

I think you are overthinking this. Your first night should be around 6k, just because if you're at sea level and coming from Oregon that would be logical. No one is going to get AMS at 6k I hope. Personally, I've hiked with a guy who does suffer from AMS, and my test was always to put him at the North Lake campground to see if the meds were working and if he was good to go. He didn't sleep well the first night at North Lake, and we made a run into town for some extra benadryl. We did go and had a couple of great 9 day trips up there for 2 seasons.

Long story short. You and yours might not be hit by AMS until you're half way up Piute pass. It hits people at different times and even at different stages of life. I would try and camp at North Lake and go for it the next day. If someone goes sick and the trip cannot be completed, turn around and exit. Hydration is good. I drink a ton of water as I drive to North Lake, given it's about a 6 hr drive for me, and I live at sea level.

Good luck on your trip.

Russ

Hi jdogrunner,
Depending on the theory you pick, there are 10 campgrounds on the Tioga road between the Tioga Pass and Lee Vining. I've stayed at a few: Tioga Lake campground at 9700 ft. has 13 sites and just 1.3 miles from the pass, right on CA 120. Saddlebag Lake Campground is at 10,000 ft, 19 sites and off highway 120 by 2.5 miles. Maybe for you: Sawmill Campground on the Saddlebag Lake road, no piped water, so $16 (instead of $21)
And campgrounds continue down the road until the best name: Cattlegaurd Campground at 7300 ft. Lower Lee Vining Campground has 60 sites no piped water. There is dispersed camping around Mono Lake, around 6500 ft. too.
-mort