sky00high wrote:
Once again thank you very much AlmostThere. Your suggestion of go Chilnuana Falls for one night and a lake another night sounds particular good since I just checked the license and found out there isn't any reservation spot left for Glacier Point. But the idea of base camping at Ostrander Lake and fishing is also very interesting. Please allow me to ask some follow up questions:
1. How likely for us to get a FCFS license the same day of the hike?
2. We start backpacking at August 14th. If we don't have backpacking permit reserved, will we be able to find a place to stay around Glacier Point the night of August 13th?
3. What you said means I can't have a campfire at Ansel Adams Wilderness? Do they require backcountry permit?
4. Since King's Canyon is also a national park and some of the place can have campfires, does any trails you know from there fit my criteria?
5. Also is that possible you suggest a lake that you think is the most beautiful for us to stay if you decide to do the Chilnuana Falls - A lake in Buena Vista Loop route you suggested?
Thanks!
I missed this before.
1. It depends on the trailhead and time of the week. Ostrander and similar "not anywhere near Half Dome" trailheads in Yosemite are fairly easy to get. Trailheads on Glacier Point Road will get you access to places like Red Peak pass, and the surrounding area.
2. Bridalveil Campground is all FCFS. Coming in the morning during the week gives one a much better chance of getting a site.
3. All designated wilderness areas in the central Sierra require a wilderness permit from the local office with jurisdiction, with the exception of the Jennie Lake Wilderness (in Sequoia NF). National Forest areas outside those wildernesses do not. You need a free campfire permit to use a stove or build a fire (if allowed) - in the national parks, they consider your wilderness permit to be your fire permit also.
4. I would direct you to trailheads in Sequoia NP rather than Kings Canyon, not knowing your preferences for strenuous trips - most KC trailheads in the canyon proper climb a lot on that first day out, and lakes are farther from the th. A strong group of hikers might get to Junction Meadow and the two lakes upstream from it in a day - but that's a lot of uphill in open sun on granite.
The Lakes Trail does not allow reserved permits, and getting there at two pm the previous day is necessary to ensure success. No fires in that area, either, and that has always been the case.
Twin Lakes out of Lodgepole is nice - the views of the central valley are good, the lakes have fish.
Jennie Lake has rainbows and brook trout, needs no permit except the fire permit (for the stove) and is easy access.
Any trip with steep uphill at the start (many are) would be best with an early morning start. When I go up this September to head for Gardiner Basin, I'll probably be tackling Bubbs Creek trail at 4 am, before the sun rises. Chilnualna is one of those - there are a few lakes uphill from there, the ones after Grouse (which is off trail and boggy) are best for camping and fishing. You can have a campfire in Yosemite below 9600 feet and above 6000 feet, and those lakes meet that criteria.
ETA: You would not be disappointed in Saddlebag/20 lakes, if your priority is scenery. The fishing is not the greatest, however, the entire basin is gorgeous with no appreciable elevation gain - easy stuff. You'll get better bang for the buck there.