High Sierra Topix

manbartz

The Clark Range is awesome beautiful. Bring back some pics to share!

slade

I have gone from June Lake (Silver Lake trailhead, really) to 1000 Island and it can be grueling if you are not acclimated. You start very low (7200). Not my favorite trailhead, but permits are a lot easier from here.

Donohue Pass last summer on August 1 had a few insignificant patches of snow on the NW side. This year is wetter, so far.

Mosquitoes last year went from insane to tolerable at 1000 Island by the last week of July. Expect them to continue later this year.

It is amazing how many people camp in Lyell canyon--legally and otherwise. There was a stretch where we found a tent every 100 yards or so for a couple of miles of "riverfront property,"

I agree with the many comments about slowing down and seeing the sights.

Also, if you had read and followed the rules for help with trip planning, there would have been no need for being defensive.

You asked, we answered per the information provided, or lack thereof.

No harm/no foul.

I would resist the urge to cram it all in a short period if possible - also hope that you and your companions are able to build some endurance before you go, so you don't find yourself turning around prematurely. Dayhiking hills with backpacks would help.

Everyone has thier own pace. The trip done in August, in 7-10 days is not an unreasonable death march. I personally like to travel +10 miles each day when on the trail. I like seeing lots of county and I DO "smell the roses" - I can easily walk and see at the same time (a light pack allows this), take lots of photos, and spend several hours exploring once in camp. And I am an old lady! These young folks may well get into the off-trail "nook and cranny" exploration or fishing later in their lives - right now they want to see lots of country while on trails. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with seeing backpacking as a sporting challenge either. Do not assume they cannot smell the roses just because they like to travel far and fast.

The proposed first day is a tough one. I have done it before, earlier when I had to deal with snow. Just get an early start, go slowly up the initial switchbacks and keep on "truckin". Whenever I do a trip with a difficult first day, I go back and see what it would be like if I were to reverse the route. Sometimes the reverse route works better allowing a first day at lower altitiudes. You could also start at Glacier Point in Yosemite Valley rather than at Happy Isles to reduce first day elevation gain and heat issues.

By the way, I never interpreted the original poster's detailed explaination of his previous trips as "defensive". I thought he was being informative.

Wandering Daisy wrote:The proposed first day is a tough one. I have done it before, earlier when I had to deal with snow. Just get an early start, go slowly up the initial switchbacks and keep on "truckin". Whenever I do a trip with a difficult first day, I go back and see what it would be like if I were to reverse the route. Sometimes the reverse route works better allowing a first day at lower altitiudes. You could also start at Glacier Point in Yosemite Valley rather than at Happy Isles to reduce first day elevation gain and heat issues.

Yeah that's a great point. I will talk to the others and see if starting at Glacier Point would be cool with them.

Sorry AlmostThere, did not mean to rub you the wrong way, or anybody else who is reading. Really just wanted to share my stories over the big, bad internet. Sorry about my first post and the information it lacked....

Ohh, and I am one to stop hiking every time I see something beautiful, and take a picture of it(I have thousands, and I would love to share them), whether it be every 10 feet or so. I never hike staring at my feet.

I picked this route looking at my Tom Harrison map, and considering this map is correct there wouldn't be any off trail trekking. The only trail I have concerns about is the trail connecting Vogelsang to Lyell Canyon. If anybody has any info or first hand experience about this trail please let me know. I added up all trail mileage and it came out to 69.2 miles from Silver Lake Trailhead to Happy Isles. So I figured a reasonable pace would be 10 miles a day. And maybe throw in an off day or 2 at Thousand Island Lake and somewhere else extra scenic(any ideas?).... I will be taking many pictures, just wondering if it's worth it to carry my moms dSLR.

Manbartz wrote "Really just wanted to share my stories over the big, bad internet."
Please do continue to share your experiences on the trail, that is what we are about
here on HST!

Manbartz wrote "The only trail I have concerns about is the trail connecting Vogelsang
to Lyell Canyon."
What are your concerns? This is a well traveled sections, and you'll probably run into
other backpackers going to either Ireland, Evelyn, or the Vogelsang area.

Manbartz wrote "I will be taking many pictures, just wondering if it's worth it to carry
my moms dSLR."
IMO if you plan to take pictures for the purpose of sharing on the web or maybe just
getting some post card size pictures printed, than stick with a good point and shoot.

Why not start or end at Agnew Meadows, using the High Trail (very scenic, and great wild
flowers) to get to 1000 Is Lake?
It is much better than the route to/from the Silver Lake area, I do not care much for Gem
or Waugh Lakes area (though Waugh is a little better) scenery wise.

The trail gains about 1,700 feet up out of Lyell Canyon. As interesting as Ireland Lake looks on the topo map, it is a windy exposed place to camp and off the main trail. If however you want to just go see Ireland Lake, you do not have to go all the way back to the trail. The little pass 0.6 miles to the NW is easy off trail travel and then you can drop down the drainage to ponds at 10,700 feet before dropping down to Townsley Lake. I personally think Vogalsang High Sierra Camp is annoying- best just to pass by it. I would try to camp at least a half mile away. Townsley Lake has nice camping, as does Vogalsang Lake. Fewer people use Townsley Lake.

While I agree with the Ireland Lk assessment and the quick pass over to Towsley, but Townsley doesn't really have great sites to camp at. They are mostly on the west end. Ok, there are some in other areas if you make it up as you go. Found a Nice place on the NE side behind a big rock.

I agree that Vogelsang is annoying. Every time I've been by that place, I aim for the off-season.

Yes Ireland can get windy, but not always - if calm (as most Sierra evenings often do become), good fishing prospects here - 'nuff said.
BTW, There are a few sheltered sites just North of Ireland - offering some wind relief.
Agree with WD about the next direction to take - leaving the trail (avoiding Evelyn), and just popping over the ridge, down to "use trail" and Townsley...perhaps camp at Fletcher?
(See map.)

I also agree about jumping the ridge, but did not recommend this to the OP originally
because he never indicated doing any off trail before, and I am not sure whether he
would be comfortable doing this, even if it is any easy route.
Since his whole route planning consists of on trail travel, maybe staying on it is more
prudent in this case, unless the OP indicates a desire to do otherwise.
I too avoid getting near or spending time at either HSC's unless there closed, I do not
mind staying at a backcountry campsite like LVL on the last day of my trip to shoot
the s..., but not during my trip.