Sonora Pass to Tuolumne Area
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 12:26 pm
So I've got a month of vacation to burn this year and with the low snow year looming on the horizon I'm guessing things are going to be packed come Jul-Aug. To get at least a little alone time I was thinking that I'd do most of the JMT route (Tuolumne to Lone Pine) mostly on trail, but that I'd start from somewhere else.
Transportation logistics dictate that I'll have to go in from the E side so I was playing with taking the bus to Bridgeport and starting from up that direction.
Is anyone in love with any PCT alternatives from the Sonora Pass area? I will supplement some of the HSR down in areas where I'm more familiar (1,000 Islands/Garnet/Duck Lake) but I have no interest in climbing out of Twin Lakes so I'll probably hitch from the Bridgeport permit office to somewhere on the 108 and start south. I haven't been N of Yosemite in 20 years and am just looking for expansive views and alpine medows vs. slot canyons day after day. Let's say for now that it'd be on-trail or mild class 2, not stretching out the route (75 trail miles from the 108 to the 120) by more than 20 miles or so. I'll be averaging about 15 mi. a day and expect my pack to be around 25-30 lbs.
Any input on some hot spots is appreciated!
Transportation logistics dictate that I'll have to go in from the E side so I was playing with taking the bus to Bridgeport and starting from up that direction.
Is anyone in love with any PCT alternatives from the Sonora Pass area? I will supplement some of the HSR down in areas where I'm more familiar (1,000 Islands/Garnet/Duck Lake) but I have no interest in climbing out of Twin Lakes so I'll probably hitch from the Bridgeport permit office to somewhere on the 108 and start south. I haven't been N of Yosemite in 20 years and am just looking for expansive views and alpine medows vs. slot canyons day after day. Let's say for now that it'd be on-trail or mild class 2, not stretching out the route (75 trail miles from the 108 to the 120) by more than 20 miles or so. I'll be averaging about 15 mi. a day and expect my pack to be around 25-30 lbs.
Any input on some hot spots is appreciated!