Trip suggestion requests

[Wandering Daisy]

It is the time of year when lots of "where should I go" trip requests seem to flourish. Perhaps I am a bit of a grump, but I am reluctant to offer suggestions for those who seem not to do their homework before asking. I am more inclined to offer advise for those who at least narrow down their requests, show that they have done some work themselves before asking, and are realistic about their level of experience.

None of us have crystal balls to predict the weather and snow conditions. Most of us just look at the CDEC data and agency web sites and come up with our unique speculations. As far as our favoirte trips- just read some of the posted trip reports. There already is a wealth of information on this forum.

The blanket requests often result in a splattering of suggestions all over the Sierra - something which I think is not very helpful at all. More serious is when you do not give information about your experience. A big factor is your "on trail" and "off trial" experience/desires. The vague term "experienced" is not very helpful.

In summary- do your homework before asking, be specific on requests, be honest and specific about your experience level, and be a "giver" as well as a "taker" by posting your trip reports.

[RoguePhotonic]

I have to agree that it would be nice for requests more narrowed down. When someone just asks where is a good place to go for 5 to 10 days there are just too many options of places and too many factors come into play.

Back in 2008 when I started hiking constantly I had never been on any forums and I only planned trips by looking at a map, seeing a road that goes in some where, then factor up the miles to some place that looks like it could be nice and if I was lucky look up a couple photos online of the place and off I went. I had lots of great trips doing this.

[maverick]

Most of what you talking about WD would be addressed if folks read the "SUGGESTIONS
FOR REQUESTING TRIP ADVICE " section, including using the search feature before
requesting information, but don't expect miracles.

[eaglecreek]

I am a new member getting ready to request a trip suggestion. I can provide all of the suggested info about experience levels and preferences but I have never hiked west of the southern Appalachians and don't really know how to "narrow down" my request. Yosemite was initally appealing but from what I've read on it, seems crowded and hard to get permits for. I don't want to clutter the site with too broad a request. Any suggestions as to the "homework" I could do before submitting a request?

[mhulkman]

I am a new member getting ready to request a trip suggestion. I can provide all of the suggested info about experience levels and preferences but I have never hiked west of the southern Appalachians and don't really know how to "narrow down" my request. Yosemite was initally appealing but from what I've read on it, seems crowded and hard to get permits for. I don't want to clutter the site with too broad a request. Any suggestions as to the "homework" I could do before submitting a request?

Yosemite is DEFINATELY crowded in the valley but not that bad in the high country. Permits for backpacking are very limited for all of the sierras but not impossible. Walk up permits 1 day in advance can be had if you are at the ranger station/visitor center the day before your hike and an hour before they open. Do some research on the wilderness areas surrounding Yosemite, all of them are beautiful and nearly national park worthy themselves, Ansel Adams, John Muir, Emigrant. If you have never hiked the sierras you will be in AWE!!!!

[Wandering Daisy]

When someone asks where to go in the Sierra, I am not able to say much. I can think of 100 trips and am not inclined to just throw out ideas. By doing your homework, here is how it is done:

1. Maps. Between Google Maps and numerous free websites with topo maps, you can get an idea of the lay of the land. If you can read a map you can get an idea of lakes, mountains and trees.

2. Where to start? The Sierra are large! If you have limited time you do not want to be spending days driving. So where do you live? Will you have a car? Public transporation?

3. Permits and stuff. Each Forest has very good webpages that tell you all about the rules and regulations. Most are now putting updated remaining permits for trails with quotas. No point in suggesting a trailhead if all slots are already full.

4. Guidebooks. There are tons of good guidebooks on the Sierra. They may not tell you those special "secret" places (we may not do that either!) but they all have good first time trips and give you an idea of how many miles is typically covered in a days travel.

5. Our trip reports. Here you can get more details and our opinions.

What are weeds to some, are flowers to others. We need to know a bit more about your likes and dislikes before we can give you appropriate ideas. What are your priorities? My number one priority is scenery, whereas, someone else's may be solitude. Yosemite IS crowded, but I go to Yosemite a lot because it has spectacular scenery. I am willing to put up with the crowds. I go to Yosemite, NOT expecting solitude. Also, living close to Yosemite I can take advantage of off-season when it is less crowded.

When all you say is "I want mountains, lakes and forests" - well that means most of the Sierra! Do you want to see the biggies- the 14'ers? Some of the less known smaller mountains are also very pretty. High altitude or lower altitudes? The maps show treeline- you can see yourself where your type of scenery is located.

It takes all of us a bit of effort to give you suggestions and we usually appreciate it if the asker of questions has also put in some effort and posts enough details and priorities so we can target our responses.

[maverick]

Hi Eaglecreek,

Welcome to HST! As WD pointed out there is a wealth of information available
here on HST, on-line, and numerous books that one can buy, like for example Phil Arnot
"High Sierra, John Muir's Range of Light" book has several great location in it, and
he describes the routes quite well: http://www.amazon.com/The-High-Sierra-M ... 981&sr=1-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here are some more books that have good information:
http://www.amazon.com/Explorers-Guide-H ... 818&sr=1-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.amazon.com/Sierra-North-Back ... 854&sr=1-7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.amazon.com/Sierra-South-Back ... 909&sr=1-9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Once you have read one of these books and find an area that interest you, check to see
if there is a trip report written up by using the search feature in the backpacking section
here on HST, or dig up some info on it on web, and then if you have specific question
ask away.
But either way, we here at HST will be happy to help out any member the best we
can, and no one is turned away or ignored asking for information about the Sierra!

[AlmostThere]

I am a new member getting ready to request a trip suggestion. I can provide all of the suggested info about experience levels and preferences but I have never hiked west of the southern Appalachians and don't really know how to "narrow down" my request. Yosemite was initally appealing but from what I've read on it, seems crowded and hard to get permits for. I don't want to clutter the site with too broad a request. Any suggestions as to the "homework" I could do before submitting a request?

You could start with Sierra North and Sierra South - very good guidebooks that cover some very nice backpacking in the popular areas. And some not-so-popular areas.

Yosemite can be difficult, but, there are ways to work the system. I among others have posted tips and tricks to work the permitting system (within legal limits) to your advantage. The majority of the solution lies in being flexible and willing to avoid Half Dome and the area within ten miles of it...

[SSSdave]

Most of what you talking about WD would be addressed if folks read the "SUGGESTIONS FOR REQUESTING TRIP ADVICE " section, including using the search feature before requesting information, but don't expect miracles.

Please do, Maverick put up an excellent list. Gives me a smile every so often when he points that out to some new person posting something vague like...

Where is a good place to backpack to?

Another good site for Sierra Nevada backcountry images is summitpost.com. Peruse their images, see some place you like, bring up the topo, see where the nearest trailhead be, and search the destination name on the web for trip reports and whatever.

When I first began backpacking as an adult in the 70s, there was no Internet and with no friends into backpacking, no one to ask for advice. So I like legion other self taught enthusiasts bought the original WP Sierra North and Sierra South editions, rambled through its pages religiously, then went down to the nearest backpacking equipment store and bought up a pile of USGS 15 minute topos that I believe were just $1.50 or $2 at that time? Actually working in Silicon Valley, I also annually drove up to the USGS map sales room in Menlo Park and would buy humungous quantitites for such a peon.

[sparky]

We have a very handy map here on high sierra topix. You cant go wrong