I thought I just did...named the worthwhile fishing lakes, in order, "on trail" on your proposed Yosemite loop route...pay attention Grasshopper!Scouter9 wrote:
Okay, educate me on the lakes along "the loop", fellas. I'd appreciate it.
Question: High Sierra Camp loop, not using the camps
- markskor
- Founding Member - RIP
- Posts: 2442
- Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:41 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: Crowley Lake and Tuolumne Meadows
Re: Question: High Sierra Camp loop, not using the camps
Mountainman who swims with trout
- Scouter9
- Topix Regular
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 9:23 am
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: San Diego, Calif.
Re: Question: High Sierra Camp loop, not using the camps
Master Po, one thousand pardons. I shall scroll up, and review.
- AlmostThere
- Topix Addict
- Posts: 2724
- Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:38 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Re: Question: High Sierra Camp loop, not using the camps
As for Half Dome, I don't recommend stashing packs anywhere other than a bear locker (there aren't any except in LYV, btw, just saying it isn't safe anywhere but a locker) between Clouds Rest and Half Dome. The bears are far too busy scanning for things they know contain food, and some things like packs they know by sight, not smell. If it's not on you or sitting next to you, or empty in the tent out of sight, it's at risk. People scoff at this until it happens to them - and it does.
If you are within two miles of Little Yosemite Campground, that's where you'll be camping - that's regulations. There are campsites at Sunrise Creek near the trail junction to Clouds but the bears know that spot very well.
I understood that there is a mile blackout around the HSCs. If within a mile of the camp, they want you in the backpacker's sites.
If you are within two miles of Little Yosemite Campground, that's where you'll be camping - that's regulations. There are campsites at Sunrise Creek near the trail junction to Clouds but the bears know that spot very well.
I understood that there is a mile blackout around the HSCs. If within a mile of the camp, they want you in the backpacker's sites.
- balzaccom
- Topix Addict
- Posts: 2970
- Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:22 pm
- Experience: N/A
Re: Question: High Sierra Camp loop, not using the camps
Other places to camp that might also work for you --although they would add a mile or two to each day.
instead of Vogelsang, you might look at Bernice Lake. Washburn instead of Merced Lake. just depends on how far from the crowds you want to be....
And yes, May Lake is a zoo. And the fish in the upper Lyell are pretty small, as I recall. There are larger, but spooky fish, as the river gets larger close to Tuolumne Meadows...
But I have done this trip with a group of youngsters. It is a blast. And they will remember it for a long time!
instead of Vogelsang, you might look at Bernice Lake. Washburn instead of Merced Lake. just depends on how far from the crowds you want to be....
And yes, May Lake is a zoo. And the fish in the upper Lyell are pretty small, as I recall. There are larger, but spooky fish, as the river gets larger close to Tuolumne Meadows...
But I have done this trip with a group of youngsters. It is a blast. And they will remember it for a long time!
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-R ... 0984884963
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-R ... 0984884963
- markskor
- Founding Member - RIP
- Posts: 2442
- Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:41 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: Crowley Lake and Tuolumne Meadows
Re: Question: High Sierra Camp loop, not using the camps
Yes, there are active, educated bears working the area around Half Dome...any un-watched pack found/ left unattended is theirs - fair game for the taking...and they will grab/destroy/rip open packs readily. However, going all the way down to LYV and storing them in a locker is counterproductive to doing HD on your intended scout journey ---going all the way down and back up? Additionally, the Rangers frown on stashing full packs in the lockers at LYV if not physically there...BTW, a bit selfish to fill up a locker with packs when others arriving also need them for food storage too.AlmostThere wrote:As for Half Dome, I don't recommend stashing packs anywhere other than a bear locker (there aren't any except in LYV, btw, just saying it isn't safe anywhere but a locker) between Clouds Rest and Half Dome.
What to do?
FYI, the last water before HD is a small artesian pool, on the left side of the trail, about 1/8 - 1/4 mile past the last HD/ CR trail junction...or about 2 trail miles or so below the cables. If it were me, just past this water source, I would go off trail a little bit and take everything out of my packs (emphasis on everything!), leaving neat piles - clothes, etc...covered with the completely empty backpack on top with every pocket/ zipper/pouch wide open (big rock on top - wind)...easy for the bear (or squirrel) to stick its nose in everything without tearing anything. You all have bearcans too, right?
Short of this ploy - yes, still a risk but probably safe (based on my limited past experiences) - you could still leave empty packs/piles as above but with one of your scouts left remaining, acting as a sentry.
Mountainman who swims with trout
- AlmostThere
- Topix Addict
- Posts: 2724
- Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:38 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Re: Question: High Sierra Camp loop, not using the camps
I would just take the pack. Not that I would bother with Half Dome. So much real wilderness to see, so little time.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- markskor
- Founding Member - RIP
- Posts: 2442
- Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:41 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: Crowley Lake and Tuolumne Meadows
Re: Question: High Sierra Camp loop, not using the camps
Yes, at/near the CR/HD junction, could take all the big weight items out of packs (cans/tents/pads/sleeping bags/etc) - leaving closed bearcans holding all food and smell-ables but all that is not food - all pockets, stuffsacks, everything else left wide open - and take your (now much lighter) packs, carrying only your lunch and water...
(+ money/ID/keys/stash?...all important stuff), with you up to HD - would work well...maybe the safest way, but not the lightest way. Your call.
Wax on! - Sounds like a fun trip.
(+ money/ID/keys/stash?...all important stuff), with you up to HD - would work well...maybe the safest way, but not the lightest way. Your call.
Wax on! - Sounds like a fun trip.
Mountainman who swims with trout
- Scouter9
- Topix Regular
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 9:23 am
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: San Diego, Calif.
Re: Question: High Sierra Camp loop, not using the camps
What do you gents know about Polly Dome Lakes, off the Murphy Creek trailhead, going north and McGee Lake?
What do you think of hiking Murphy Creek to Glen Aulin?
What do you think of hiking Murphy Creek to Glen Aulin?
- balzaccom
- Topix Addict
- Posts: 2970
- Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:22 pm
- Experience: N/A
Re: Question: High Sierra Camp loop, not using the camps
Nice little lakes. No fish. Often a very good choice on a busy weekend when the trailhead quotas get filled.Scouter9 wrote:What do you gents know about Polly Dome Lakes, off the Murphy Creek trailhead, going north and McGee Lake?
What do you think of hiking Murphy Creek to Glen Aulin?
But a long way from May Lake. Unless, of course, you don't go to May Lake. You could just go to Polly Dome Lakes and then continue to Glen Aulin. I'd vote for that it a heartbeat. The only reason to camp at May Lake is because it's easy to climb Mt. Hoffman from there---which is one of the great day-hikes in Yosemite
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-R ... 0984884963
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-R ... 0984884963
- Big Ed
- Topix Regular
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2013 12:00 pm
- Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
- Location: Fresno, CA
Re: Question: High Sierra Camp loop, not using the camps
In 07 I was going between Cathedral Pass and Yosemite Valley, and passed a High Sierra Camp, don't remember the name. Then I encountered a father and son heading that way, that was their destination. I asked if they had reservations, the guy looked surprised and said no. He had no idea it was a concession operated facility, saw it on the map and thought it was a backpackers campground. He then asked if he could still camp there, I said I don't know, don't think so. I go for the wilderness experience, and therefore avoid places like that. So I don't know much about them.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot] and 9 guests