Help planning for late 2016 trip

[Tom_H]

In my own opinion, it is already much too late in the season for two people to be making a 2 week trip into the backcountry. If you had at least 6 very strong people, all of whom have considerable summer backpacking experience, at least two of whom were trained experienced backcountry snowshoe and nordic ski packers, and everyone has all the gear necessary for snow survival and travel by nordic skis and snowshoes, and were going on a route where you could successfully travel in snow, then I would approve. Wandering Daisy and I were both professional guides with the same training, though I worked for a different outfitter and she has more experience than I.

The reason I recommend against it is because, even if you left right now, it is entirely possible that a major storm could bury you under many feet of snow at your farthest point into the backcountry. At this time of year and having only 2 people with your level of experience, you really need to plan shorter trips where you are always near enough to a trailhead that you could evacuate.

You can take dogs into Desolation, and there are a number of places in Deso where you can get cell coverage and thus weather reports. There is also a route that's about a week trip, passing around 28 lakes, but you parallel highway, and have about 3 places where you can turn onto a side trail and exit in an emergency.

Here is a map with a route that goes from Echo Lakes to Meeks Bay. Your emergency evacuation routes are marked in purple and your primary route in red. If you undertake a trip at this time of year, you should not do any random exploring. You should decide exactly where you are going, have a trip plan (print from here: http://reconn.org ), leave copies of the plan with several people, and notify all of them the moment you get out of the wilderness. If you are not back by a certain time, you need to have given them instructions re. how to contact SAR (search and rescue) for the area you are in, giving them a copy of your plan. If you do this route, take your cell phone. Keep it off to save the battery, but from the top of any pass or the top of Mt. Tallac, try to call your contact and let them know where you are, whether you are on schedule, any difficulties you are experiencing, etc.

Map: http://caltopo.com/m/0376

[rlown]

She didn't request info for Deso, Tom. She actually doesn't need it if she makes her plan clear with her own maps and then tweaks it as she gets to a final plan. Doing fine so far as to find out what a new area means and the ramifications.

Guess it's a backup option..

[Wandering Daisy]

I would not worry so much about permits. Late season (mid-Sept and later) and only 2 people, I doubt you would have trouble getting a first-come walk up permit. Flexibility is key in late season. Get a permit if it makes you feel certain, but do not hesitate to not use it and delay or do the trip earlier, based on weather conditions once Sept 2016 rolls around. Nobody knows what it will be like in a year from now.

I do not think the backcountry ranger stations are manned in October so I would not count on them for weather reports.

If by late season you mean mid-Sept or earlier, I think a side trip to Ionian Basin is well worth the effort. Black Giant Pass is the easiest. McGee Lakes also nice. Barrett Basin via Knapsack Col is also a great side-trip.

Personally, I would not do October, because the days are so short. However, as a young couple, perhaps lots of tent time is not a problem.

[ERIC]

A little chippy in here. The intelligent, prudent individuals I know here are all capable of stating an opinion without being negative towards those they are engaging. Inform, don't belittle. Please.

[kwyjibo]

Thanks for some side route options. I'll definitely check them out. Eric this is for next year. We are no where near ready to go now.

The hardest part is due to our work we have little flexibility which is why we are starting plans now. From the sounds of it early-mid september will be the best time to go. We also carry a parameter with us to keep an eye on in coming storms. This is partially why we are planning for two weeks. If a storms rolls in for a day or two it doesn't matter if we are stuck in the tent since we aren't strapped for time.

We want a nice leisurely trip where if we see something cool we can hang out and watch it for a bit and take lots of photos. The idea is to enjoy nature and escape the chaos of city life.

[sparky]

How about you do two trips? A one week backpack to evolution basin in the ssummer, then a one week car camping trip up and down the Eastern Sierra in early October for fall colors. The high meadows are much more scenic while green in early summer, and a south lake north lake loop 90% of the hike will be spent in areas where the only fall colors you will see is dry brown grass. In my opinion, if I could only do one trip in a year it would be in early summer right as the high country is melting out, longer days, creeks full, and flowers blooming. We just did our fall color car camping trip last weekend.

No need to fear the critters of the night.....except the blood thirsty mountain lions!

[Tom_H]

this is for next year.

My apologies for not noticing the 2016. I misunderstood that you were now planning for something between now and the end of this year (which really could be dicey). The places you are discussing should be wonderful in September. Good luck with your planning.

[Tom_H]

No need to fear the critters of the night.....except the blood thirsty mountain lions!

I've never heard of any in the high country? Foothills and lower Sierra, yea...for sure. Are you being serious, or are you trying to scare the poor girl!!!

[sparky]

While I have seen tracks well above tree line a few times I am sure they just use the passes like we do, and the bears do. And no, not being serious or trying to scare...just teasing

[Tom_H]

While I have seen tracks well above tree line a few times I am sure they just use the passes like we do, and the bears do.

This and grizzlies are the only things I haven't had run-ins with (black bears, bobcats, wild boars, alligators, rattlers, copperheads, cottonmouths, skunks........), Only the blacks here in the Sierra, though. The others were in Appalachians or southern swamps. Skeeters are the worst of the varmints IMHO.