Tuolumne weekend for the first time...
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 11:17 am
...for my girlfriend.
She's never been, so I'm taking her up for two days of day hiking and was curious if anyone had good suggestions for day hikes. The goal of this trip is to sell her on the scenery so she'll get a backpack and I can take her out into the backcountry...so I'm looking for killer views that'd serve as an overview of what the area has to offer.
She's a good hiker (took her to the Valley for the first time in June and she had no problem doing the 4mile trail - Panorama - Mist trail loop), but I don't think she's ever been up to altitude or done any cross country/granite slabs, so we'll probably stay mostly on the trails. We have a campsite for Friday night at Crane flat, and I'll either snag a Meadows campsite if one pops up, or we'll figure something out for Saturday night near the pass.
My current thoughts (weather permitting):
Day 1: Young Lakes trail, then up Ragged Peak to show her N. Yosemite/Conness's SW face, the amazing view of the Cathedral range, etc in the morning. Lembert Dome on the way back down (see if she likes friction slabs ). Take it easy in the afternoon down Lyell Canyon as far as we feel like going.
Day 2: Tioga pass area. Saddlebag Lake basin? Maybe Dana if we're feeling up to it? Parker Pass (never been there)? Not quite as sure for here, but she's never seen Mono Lake, so I'm leaning towards Dana, if only to the shoulder. If anyone has a good suggestion for a shorter loop out of Saddlebag Lake that'd be appreciated.
Anything big I'm missing? This pretty much ignores heading towards Glen Aulin, and actually getting into the Cathedral group. Not sure if the WOW factor for these areas is the same for the others I already mentioned. Or am I just over thinking this...
Thanks in advance!
She's never been, so I'm taking her up for two days of day hiking and was curious if anyone had good suggestions for day hikes. The goal of this trip is to sell her on the scenery so she'll get a backpack and I can take her out into the backcountry...so I'm looking for killer views that'd serve as an overview of what the area has to offer.
She's a good hiker (took her to the Valley for the first time in June and she had no problem doing the 4mile trail - Panorama - Mist trail loop), but I don't think she's ever been up to altitude or done any cross country/granite slabs, so we'll probably stay mostly on the trails. We have a campsite for Friday night at Crane flat, and I'll either snag a Meadows campsite if one pops up, or we'll figure something out for Saturday night near the pass.
My current thoughts (weather permitting):
Day 1: Young Lakes trail, then up Ragged Peak to show her N. Yosemite/Conness's SW face, the amazing view of the Cathedral range, etc in the morning. Lembert Dome on the way back down (see if she likes friction slabs ). Take it easy in the afternoon down Lyell Canyon as far as we feel like going.
Day 2: Tioga pass area. Saddlebag Lake basin? Maybe Dana if we're feeling up to it? Parker Pass (never been there)? Not quite as sure for here, but she's never seen Mono Lake, so I'm leaning towards Dana, if only to the shoulder. If anyone has a good suggestion for a shorter loop out of Saddlebag Lake that'd be appreciated.
Anything big I'm missing? This pretty much ignores heading towards Glen Aulin, and actually getting into the Cathedral group. Not sure if the WOW factor for these areas is the same for the others I already mentioned. Or am I just over thinking this...
Thanks in advance!