Re: Need help planning trip
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:23 pm
First, thank you to everyone who contributed. I have spent a lot of time over the last few days reading trail descriptions for your suggestions.
I think we have settled on the Agnes Meadows starting point. I like the gradual altitude increases and it sounds like we have options for getting some very remote areas. We will fly from Philly to Reno and rent a car($325 for 2 weeks) for the 4 hr ride south. I have ordered High Sierra John Muir’s Range of Light.
I have downloaded the following 7.5 min topos to study. Does anyone know if these are the right ones?
Mammoth Mtn, Old Mammoth, Crystal Crag and Bloody Mtn.
This leads me to my next set of questions which are a bit more specific.
Snow cover vs. skeeters. We are thinking of the end of June or it could be beginning of August. In the area around Mammoth Lakes what is the worst time for skeeters? If there is still snow in the passes, can it be crossed with snow shoes or would we need crampons, ice axes and rope? Does more snow = less skeeters?
Supplies: Since we are flying in I am planning on buying fuel once we have landed. Are there any good outdoor supply stores between Reno and Mammoth Lakes?
Permits: I assume permits are required this time of year. Are they hard to get? How early can I apply? Who do I contact to procure them?
Accommodations: We will probably want to spend the first night not on the trail. Any suggestions for Motels, B&B or other in the vicinity of Mammoth Lakes?
Finally, stay tuned. I will have one more post regarding Yosemite. The other item on our “must do” list is to ascend the back side of Half Dome. Eddie saw a pic and declared, “we have to do that”. But I will start a separate thread for those questions.
Thanks again to everyone,
Pat
FYI
Here is a breakdown of air fare, air time and Drive time to Bishop for any other East coasters who might stumble by.
From Philadelphia
Destination Rate Flight time Drive to Bishop
San Francisco 225 8 Hrs 7 hrs
Reno 248 8 hrs 4 hrs(Mammoth lakes less)
Fresno 347 8 hrs 5.75
Sacramento 245 8.5 hrs 5.5 hrs
Las Vegas 240 6.5 hrs 5.25
Couldn't figure out how to tabularize the above data. Sorry.
I think we have settled on the Agnes Meadows starting point. I like the gradual altitude increases and it sounds like we have options for getting some very remote areas. We will fly from Philly to Reno and rent a car($325 for 2 weeks) for the 4 hr ride south. I have ordered High Sierra John Muir’s Range of Light.
I have downloaded the following 7.5 min topos to study. Does anyone know if these are the right ones?
Mammoth Mtn, Old Mammoth, Crystal Crag and Bloody Mtn.
This leads me to my next set of questions which are a bit more specific.
Snow cover vs. skeeters. We are thinking of the end of June or it could be beginning of August. In the area around Mammoth Lakes what is the worst time for skeeters? If there is still snow in the passes, can it be crossed with snow shoes or would we need crampons, ice axes and rope? Does more snow = less skeeters?
Supplies: Since we are flying in I am planning on buying fuel once we have landed. Are there any good outdoor supply stores between Reno and Mammoth Lakes?
Permits: I assume permits are required this time of year. Are they hard to get? How early can I apply? Who do I contact to procure them?
Accommodations: We will probably want to spend the first night not on the trail. Any suggestions for Motels, B&B or other in the vicinity of Mammoth Lakes?
Finally, stay tuned. I will have one more post regarding Yosemite. The other item on our “must do” list is to ascend the back side of Half Dome. Eddie saw a pic and declared, “we have to do that”. But I will start a separate thread for those questions.
Thanks again to everyone,
Pat
FYI
Here is a breakdown of air fare, air time and Drive time to Bishop for any other East coasters who might stumble by.
From Philadelphia
Destination Rate Flight time Drive to Bishop
San Francisco 225 8 Hrs 7 hrs
Reno 248 8 hrs 4 hrs(Mammoth lakes less)
Fresno 347 8 hrs 5.75
Sacramento 245 8.5 hrs 5.5 hrs
Las Vegas 240 6.5 hrs 5.25
Couldn't figure out how to tabularize the above data. Sorry.