New Sierra Backpacker - April/May Suggestions

[wildhiker]

Have you considered the hike along the Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite Park to campsites at Rancheria Creek? That's always been a favorite early season backpack for us. Lots of impressive granite cliffs and booming Wapama Falls. The only problem is that sometimes Wapama Falls is too booming and runs over the bridges making them unsafe to cross. That's a problem during peak snowmelt. You'll have to call the Park as the time gets closer to find out whether the trail is safe, but I did notice lots of permit availability in recreation.gov for Friday, May 6 (remember, you only need the permit for day of entry, not for every day of your trip).

Also consider Emigrant Wilderness off highway 108 (Sonora Pass) north of Yosemite. There are no quotas for this wilderness. Check the Stanislaus NF website, but last year, you just needed to call them a couple of days before your trip and they made up your permit.

A friend at work a few years ago did a backpack out of the Emigrant Wilderness Kennedy Meadows trailhead up to Kennedy Lake at the end of April. He had a few snow patches to cross, but nothing difficult, and there were plenty of melted-out areas to camp. This, of course, depends on the Sonora Pass highway being plowed and open that far - check roads.dot.ca.gov.

You might also be able to pack in from the Emigrant Wilderness Crabtree trailhead southeast of Pinecrest if the forest road is open. But again, if you hit it at peak snowmelt, you could be stopped by an uncrossable creek after a few miles.

-Phil Farrell

[TxAggie]

Have you considered the hike along the Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite Park to campsites at Rancheria Creek? …..

-Phil Farrell

Great suggestions, thank you. I’ll keep them in mind. Does the Kennedy Meadows trail have quotas?

[Wandering Daisy]

Look at the recent post on pre-permit Yosemite. Permit season starts April 29. Before that you can self-register, but quotas still apply. Note that Glacier Point Road will NOT be opened this year at all, so cannot hike in from the road to Dewey Point or others. The backpacker's campground is tentatively to open mid-May. Until it may be difficult to get a campsite at Camp4. Late April-May is a very busy time in Yosemite. Logistics can be difficult if it is the first time you have been there.

Kennedy Lake is really nice early season. Unfortunately, late April may be too early for the wonderful wildflowers. There are no trail quotas. Call to see where you have to pick up your permit. They change the location sometimes. You may be able to get your permit on the way to the trailhead. Not sure if they still do that now. I will put in trip report like when I find it. 2019 was a high snow year; I also went into Kennedy Lake a month earlier in 2012, a low snow year, and the conditions were about the same.

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Desolation would be better in May than April. It is hard to access the west side until the roads open, particularly Wrights Lake Road. There was a big wildfire last Fall, so road openings may be slower this year. East access is from paved roads near Tahoe, so no problem there. Check Desolation web-site for current information and phone numbers to call.

[TxAggie]

Look at the recent post on pre-permit Yosemite. …

Thank you, Wandering Daisy. I’ve seen some of your TR’s and advice you give you others, it’s great seeing someone share their experience and knowledge.

Kennedy Meadows seems like a well recommended destination, my main concern is the longer drive from Davis. How far do you have to travel from the trailhead to get to a camping spot? My daughter’s pretty athletic and a XC runner, but hasn’t spent much time with a pack on so we won’t be doing high mileage the first day, likely 3-7 miles.

Judging from your photos, finding hammock friendly locations shouldn’t be an issue. And forgive my ignorance, but are there any areas I have to worry about d staying in designated camping sites, or is it all dispersed camping rules? (Maryland is fairly strict on some trails about only using existing campsites.)

[Wandering Daisy]

Most wilderness areas in the Sierra require you to only designate your first night location/ general not exact. There are only a few "designated" campgrounds- Little Yosemite Valley being one. In Desolation they permit your route by "sub-areas", each with a quota; permit reservation is a bit more complicated. I have only done "same-day/first-come" permitting at the ranger stations. I am not sure they do that anymore.

I just read in paper this morning that the west side near Desolation Wilderness at about 6000 feet, only has 4% average snowpack (vs 39% for what is called central Sierra). Desolation lower elevations are melting out much quicker than "normal". There still will likely be some snow at the 9000-foot level until July. Desolation is by far the closest location to Davis. If you can get permits, it would be a good bet this year with low snow. A good short trip is Lake Aloha with side trips to Clyde Lake and Suzie Lake. The south shore melts out early so I am sure you would find a dry spot to camp. If the Echo Lake ferry is not running, it is an easy walk along the north shore of Echo Lake. When Wrights Lake trailhead opens, Island Lake is a nice overnight trip. A longer trip is over Rockbound Pass to Clyde Lake.

[grampy]

If you want to reserve a Deso Wilderness permit, here is a useful map showing the “first night camp” zones that Wandering Daisy is referring to:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 292620.pdf

When you are filling out the reservation form (on Recreation.gov), you are reserving for the relevant numbered zone. To be clear, you only need to camp in your designated zone your first night; you can go anywhere from day 2 onward.

Note that, unlike many wilderness jurisdictions where there is flexibility on adhering to your “exit date”, Deso Wilderness doesn’t (I believe) allow you to over-stay. Just add an extra day when reserving if you are uncertain.

Zone quotas are listed here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 793512.pdf
Quota season is from Friday of Memorial Day weekend through September 30.

[TxAggie]

Dates are set, we’ll be hitting the trail Friday 4/29 - Sunday May 1. I’ll be checking some of the Yellowstone trails mentioned, but I’m leaning towards Desolation Echo Lake up to Lake Aloha and the surrounding lakes based off of Wandering Daisy’s snow report for Desolation.

Any additional tips or suggestions are still very much appreciated. Thanks for the help, everyone.

[Wandering Daisy]

I think you mean Yosemite, not Yellowstone.

[TxAggie]

I think you mean Yosemite, not Yellowstone.

Lol, yes, sorry about that!

Quick question: I’m not used to calling the Ranger Stations out here, usually not much need. For Desolation, what is the best number to call? Is it the Placerville Ranger Station?

[Wandering Daisy]

The east side and west side each have offices. The east side is under an additional entity- Greater Lake Tahoe ?? sorry do not remember exact name. I have not been in Desolation for a few years, so it may be different now. In the past you picked up your permit at the Ranger Station just past the small gas station /store called "Fresh Pond" (may be listed as a Placerville number). Be sure you get the Wilderness Office, not the general office. If going in from Tahoe side, the ranger station is a bit north of Tahoe proper, up by Camp Richardson. The Desolation website shows the location of each. If going in on the east, you may have to pay for trailhead parking- maybe not early before the regular summer crowds.