-

If you've been searching for the best source of information and stimulating discussion related to Spring/Summer/Fall backpacking, hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada...look no further!
User avatar
palmermd
Topix Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2015 11:16 am
Experience: N/A

-

Post by palmermd »

-
Last edited by palmermd on Fri Apr 07, 2017 11:50 am, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: TR: 2 day trip around Aloha Lake 10.2014

Post by maverick »

Hi Palmermd,

Welcome to HST!
Thank you for sharing your experience, TR, and photo's. :)
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
Jaimee
Topix Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2017 12:17 pm
Experience: Level 2 Backpacker

Re: TR: 2 day trip around Aloha Lake 10.2014

Post by Jaimee »

Bear canisters NOT a mistake in Desolation! You were right to bring them, however bulky. Saw a bear make breakfast of some other campers' chow there last year. :) Surprised they aren't required. Thanks for sharing, BTW.
User avatar
Tom_H
Topix Expert
Posts: 795
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:11 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Camas, WA

Re: TR: 2 day trip around Aloha Lake 10.2014

Post by Tom_H »

Respectfully, I have to disagree regarding the need for bear canisters in Desolation. While true that bears are present, most of them are at low elevation along the periphery of civilization on Lake Tahoe.

The other factor is that most of Deso is below tree line, particularly the locations where one is likely to camp. Tandem suspension requires far less weight and volume than a canister. You do have to know how to stack the cord just as carefully as climbers do a rope. You also need to know how to tie a figure eight and a bowline. My 40' cord and mini-biner weigh only a couple of ounces. In 40 years of packing, I have never gotten the cord tangled in a tree. A trekking pole or limb is sufficient for pushing the lower food bag up and equalizing the suspension height. The extra length is coil-stacked on top of the same bag with a small loop on a bowline on the end hanging slightly to the side so that it can be snagged in the same manner the following morning and used to pull the one bag down. After detaching that bag, the other is gently lowered and the running end of the cord pulled over the limb. On a limb of correct height, no black bear will come even close to reaching the bags.

Tandem suspension saves a lot of weight and volume and works very well in areas outside the HIGH Sierra. Canisters are not required in Desolation, and in fact when I pick up permits rangers tell me that tandem suspension is their preferred method of use there. You DO need to know how to do it correctly, so learning the technique and practicing before you go is essential.
User avatar
palmermd
Topix Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2015 11:16 am
Experience: N/A

Re: TR: 2 day trip around Aloha Lake 10.2014

Post by palmermd »

-
Last edited by palmermd on Fri Apr 07, 2017 11:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
FeetFirst
Topix Regular
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2011 11:35 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: West Sacramento, CA
Contact:

Re: TR: 2 day trip around Aloha Lake 10.2014

Post by FeetFirst »

Thanks for the report and pictures. Ambitious route. What tent is that in the pictures?
I'm still rather convinced that you can achieve more than you've ever dreamed of if you just lower your standards.
User avatar
AlmostThere
Topix Addict
Posts: 2724
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:38 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: TR: 2 day trip around Aloha Lake 10.2014

Post by AlmostThere »

Tom_H wrote:Respectfully, I have to disagree regarding the need for bear canisters in Desolation. While true that bears are present, most of them are at low elevation along the periphery of civilization on Lake Tahoe.
Respectfully, I have seen tracks and poop in the Tablelands, among other high places, and never leave home for the Sierra without the bear can, period. They'll follow you if they're motivated.

Too many dead trees out there now -- easily pushed over. Also there are rarely trees with which to make a proper bear hang -- too many branches, too few branches low enough,all the branches are too fragile to hold the bag, too short, too *something* -- and I've long since tired of pitching the rope over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over -- bear canisters also make good seats. And there is already FAR too much rope left hanging in branches all over the darn place, since paracord is LOUSY for hanging and getting the rope back -- it snaps, rebounds into the branches, and gets left there. Effectively cutting the trip short if you have no more rope. As happened multiple times to friends.

Add that to the fact that not enough people practice, or know about, or have the energy at the end of a day's hike, to execute a proper hang -- somewhere I have some great pictures of a dead stupid bear bag job where the bag was slung about two feet above the roof of their tent. A pinata with a really lousy landing spot underneath it, just waiting to happen. So, nope, I am never going to be a fan of bear bagging.
User avatar
Wandering Daisy
Topix Docent
Posts: 6640
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:19 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento area)
Contact:

Re: TR: 2 day trip around Aloha Lake 10.2014

Post by Wandering Daisy »

I go into Desolation two or three times every year, since it is my closest wilderness. THey do not require bear cans; I have never seen a bear or a need for a bear can. I use an Ursack. I will only take a bear can when one is required. I do not think you can extrapolate experience in SEKI with that in Desolation. If bears getting people's food were a real problem, bear cans would be required. Conditions do change, but for now bears are the least of my worries in Desolation.
User avatar
Wandering Daisy
Topix Docent
Posts: 6640
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:19 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento area)
Contact:

Re: TR: 2 day trip around Aloha Lake 10.2014

Post by Wandering Daisy »

By the way, Desolation charges a per night/ per person fee. They say little about this, but you can request a seasons pass ($20). THis really saves the $$ if you go there more often.
User avatar
WarrenFork
Topix Acquainted
Posts: 89
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:55 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: TR: 2 day trip around Aloha Lake 10.2014

Post by WarrenFork »

I've been going into Desolation from my home in northern Mono County for more years than I like to admit and I agree wholeheartedly with Tom and Daisy. Bears aren't a big concern there and cans are overkill. I've used an Ursack on recent trips without incident or sightings. Let alone being followed!
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: crocodile235, freestone, Google [Bot] and 130 guests