High Sierra Topix

http://caltopo.com/m/6C2N

Hoping to get to Portal Lake by the end of day 1. How does this route look? I know from other threads that some here are pretty experienced with this area. Anything you would suggest or caution about this route? Is there a better way to get to Tunemah?

You may not want to climb up to Mantel Pass where you have it noted. I don't think I have a photo of that hillside but I remember thinking it looked very over grown when I briefly thought that was my way up. If you take the drainage up to Hummingbird lake staying on the North side of the creek and the lake it's very easy.

Dykeman Pass you can leave the pass and angle across towards Tunemah before dropping into Alpine Creek and it's pretty easy. No need to drop straight down and have to do more climbing that you have to.

Rogue,
Thanks for the tips. I edited the route to reflect your suggestions.

Looks like a really nice route, I especially like the starting elevation as compared to Rancheria Creek TH, the next time I head out to Woodchuck I will take advantage of it.

I see that the USGS topo indicates the road is a "restricted road," so where do you plan on parking?

Having never used Caltopo before I was inspired by your route and have been toying around with if for awhile and am impressed with its versatility.

Thanks,

Gabe

gabe&mel wrote: I see that the USGS topo indicates the road is a "restricted road," so where do you plan on parking?

Good question. I've never been up the road that far, although I hoped to get some feedback here from any that have. If not, I may head up to day hike and scout the first part of this route before I actually go on the trip.

I think the road you want to start on is gated.

I think the road you want to start on is gated.

Yes, that is a restricted road.

Unfortunately the offsite photos including the map scan are not up for my "Tunechuck" trip of 2008, but I would suggest a more direct day 1 route which is to go out of Hoffman Mtn. The written description (sans images) is at: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3205&hilit=Tunechuck

On day 1 by this route you can hike the same amount as your Rancheria route and be in upper Blue Canyon on the end of day 1. As it was I had some digestive issues and had to stop below Hummingbird L. at the end of day 1. At minimum I think the Hoffman Mtn kickoff route can get you to Hummingbird on day 1 (provided you don't have digestive bonking issues as I did).

As an aside I just took my family out of Hoffman Mtn last weekend and went to Woodchuck L by going 100 percent off trail from the kickoff. This was my 3rd time taking off from there. On my return (after my first route finding gaffe in the three trips overshooting the car and having to hike 400+ feet back up--didn't make my family too happy) I was amazed to see another vehicle there. I've never seen another vehicle there before. The "Tunechuck" entry route only follows a short section of the trail below Chuck Pass then diverges permanently from trailed country by essentially contouring along the side of the drainage until below Hummingbird hence up to Mantle Pass thence to Blue Canyon.

Thanks for the replies. I'm a little confused. Where is the "Hoffman mountain" entry point? Wouldn't it be the restricted road (I edited my route with a dotted line showing the spot on that road I'd like to start from, just West of Hoffman mountain).

Aaron GB posted a map on his recent TR

viewtopic.php?t=13012



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