kpeter wrote:
So, from you experts, how would this plan work to introduce someone unfamiliar to his part of Yosemite, stopping along the way for the meet up?
Park at Tuolumne, shuttle to Mono Meadows (possible, correct?) Mono Meadows up the long Illilouette to the Merced Pass Lakes. Merced Pass lakes to Ottoway Lakes and the Red Peak Pass. Read Peak Pass over to the Triple Creek Fork and up to the higher trail to the east of Triple Peak Fork. Then north along that trail past Forester Creek to the Lyell Fork drainage--cross x up to the meet up the drainage and back down a couple nights later. Back on the trail to head for Lewis Creek and Vogelsang Pass. Over Vogelsang and north along Rafferty to get back to Tuolumne Meadows.
All good questions - some thoughts:
IMHO, the best of Yosemite, and an area seldom visited. Yes, there is a shuttle from Valley. IIRC - leaves at 8:30-ish AM from Curry (or the Lodge a bit later), and costs ~$25 each (even though you are going less than 1/2 way - no price break), and gets you to MM around 10:30. You could also drive to/start at the MM TH - room for 10 - 15 cars there, and after the exit (Valley?), then only one has to pay to retrieve the car. (However, IMHO, always best to end any trip, hiking to your car if at all possible.)
As this is a rather late start, from MM, best to plan 2 days to get to/head for Lower Ottoway. (Forget about the Merced Pass Lakes!) FYI, initially this is a rather bleak, unfriendly trail - a bit drab but gets lots better, real soon. There are some good overnight sites once you first hit Illilouette Creek, about 8 -9 miles in - still a long day - BTW, have found the second site (about 1/2 mile past the first Illilouette Creek site) is much better...whatever.
Next day, maybe a half day slog, up to Lower Ottoway - beautiful spots to stay on the far side, but anywhere there will work well...good fishing too. Next day, over RPP and plan to stay at Red Devil the next night - no fish but amazing... views of the Clarks (lots of frogs/tadpoles). From there, many possible places to stay near Triple Peak fork...lots of water everywhere - no rushing through here, and down eventually to the Lyell fork and the meet-up.
kpeter wrote: Many questions.
1) I've never made Yosemite trailhead reservations. For a through trip, just reserve a slot at Mono Meadows? How difficult to get? How easy would it be to shuttle from TM to Mono Meadows--shuttles go to Glacier Point, I presume, and stop at MM trailhead? Some kind of transfer in the valley? Or should I do this in the other direction. If so, how is parking at Mono Meadows?
MM TH is not that busy - but a small quota - not knowing how many in your party, always best to pre-reserve your permit to be safe, but if a one or a two, next day permits are OK.
kpeter wrote:2) Will this route show a neophyte the highlights of SW Yosemite? Where should I allow time to stop and explore, and where should I press ahead? How many days? On good trail I will trudge for 12+ hours and make 12+ miles, but prefer shorter days. Suggestions for changes?
Like said above, once past Lower Ottoway, the best of Yosemite and take as much time as possible.
kpeter wrote:3) I am assuming that the cross-x from trail up the Lyell drainage to the meet up is not particularly challenging. I do a little cross country (eg. Many Island/Boundary Lake area in NW Yosemite) but am 80% a trail person--no class 3 and like my class 2 simple, don't tolerate exposure well, etc.
The last part, Lyell up to the meet is easy... Use trail, the rest of the trip will be all trail, (except for the short "off" to Red Devil Lake.)
My concern though is the bus thing from Tuolumne to the Valley, and then to MM...the time spent. Suggest allotting one day TM - Valley and staying overnight at Valley BP - then easy to get to Curry for the MM bus next morning. Might be better just to leave car in Curry orchard lot and walk to Valley - not do TM, but...