High Sierra Topix

Are the dates confirmed?
I would love to join you guys! I would like to tag along with whoever is starting from Mineral King. I live in Visalia, right off of the 198. So I can drive from here if anybody needs a ride up. Or if you're driving in from a further distance, I can drive the rest of the way. I have backpacked all over MK but have never been to the Kaweah Basin. I don't know anyone willing to go there with me. So this would work out perfect.

Yes, the above dates are a go. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Dave_Ayers wrote:Can you arrange for a night box pick-up? See the Night Box Pickup section at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/pass ... rdb5144746 . Another poster at Yahoo JMT said they don't allow night box pickup if your trip includes Nat. Park entry. But it might be worth a phone call to check (and report back to us!).

The FS allows night box pick-ups if you stay in Inyo; I've done it before for the Cottonwood lakes. But once you cross over the crest into SEKI/Yos, the parks require permits to be physically issued.

Also note that rec.gov permits can be picked up up to 2 days ahead if that helps. See the section at the bottom of http://www.recreation.gov/marketing.do? ... l&backLink .

My MO is to leave OC around 3-4am and hit the trail approx 4 hrs later. Last year I left @ 2am to get a start on Shepherd before 6, but that was only possible because Mav already had a permit with my name included. I don't like arriving up there before the IAVC closes, then getting a partial start on the trail in the late afternoon. I know others prefer this style, which illustrates HYOH perfectly.

These kinds of differences are just part of overall hiker individuality, and what makes putting in the effort to get people together in the middle of nowhere so admirable. Last year, 5 people (+2 for a short visit) made it to Wales (Jim is in both pics because he's so cool + he had the frying pan):

maverick wrote:Yes, the above dates are a go. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Okay, sounds good! Here is my email in case anybody wants to contact me.
willchart@gmail.com

Hobbes wrote: (Jim is in both pics because he's so cool + he had the frying pan):

All this time I thought I was in multiple shots because I was a sexy beast . Turns out they only loved me for my frying pan

Turns out they only loved me for my frying pan.

No, because your a beast.

Is anyone planning to exit on July 26, via either Mineral King or Crescent Meadow, and drive back to the Bay Area? (Or if not - perhaps as far as the Fresno or Visalia bus station).

The other benefit would be having someone to hike with over either Pyra-Queen Col or Pants Pass, after the meet-up. In fact, I could do that with someone regardless of where they plan to drive afterwards.

I may or may not have a car awaiting me when I exit. So I need a Plan B in case there is indeed no car.

I would promise to be good company

- Elizabeth

May be entering and exiting via QPC, if I cannot get extra days off, then I plan on exiting on the 26th, on the other hand, if I do get a few extra days, then not till the 29th. Will know more as we get closer to the trip.

I'll be entering/exiting from Crescent Meadows July 18/July 26 and would welcome a companion over Pyra Queen col on the way out and offer a ride for anyone's plan B. Still shuffling around the rest of my itinerary as I go back and forth between ambition and more relaxation.

Hi everyone! I'm Jeff, long time lurker here. I've only read parts of this thread, but some of you may know me as I was a trailhead/wilderness ranger out of Mineral King for the last three seasons, and I've made a handful of trips into that area. I've been over Pyra, Pants (though I try to forget it), Wildflower (as Secor calls it) and via the Kern-Kaweah, and know people who have been in the other ways, so while I can't officially represent the park anymore, I'm happy to share some info, try to answer questions, etc. (I'm not on the forums every day, so if I don't reply to you, try PMing me)

I'd love to trek in and meet up with you all, but I don't think I can make a long trip like that happen this year, as I'm working furiously on a photography startup back here in the bay area, and anything beyond a 2-3 day trip is probably out of the question.

Enjoy that amazingly special place! There truly are almost no footprints, established campsites, etc. It's one of the last few remaining places like that