Theft in the Sierra

[maverick]

Has anyone had anything stolen in the back country, though I do not believe it is
very likely at remote off trail locations, but along main trails like the JMT or HST
it could be more likely.
If yes, what was stolen, and where were you camping at the time?
And what about from you car at the trailhead? If yes, which trailhead?

[rlown]

Carson Pass in '78. Came back to a rear passenger window busted out, and the trunk jimmied open. They didn't touch my tool box, which was in the trunk. Ranger Jennifer said they were probably looking for money on their way to Nevada.

Nothing stolen, but busted up pretty well. I miss the ol' 64 4 door impala. could carry 6 people and packs.

[maverick]

Darn Rlown, that sucks! I would rather they have stolen something than vandalize my
car, which will cost a lot more to get fixed

[markskor]

Not at a trailhead but camped at Camp 4 (Sunnyside), YNP, while off at Degnon's bagging a pastrami sandwich - some basshole broke into/unzipped my tent and, without anyone seeing anything in the middle of a crowded camp, borrowed my WM Bag and my MSR stove....hmmmm?
Talked to a ranger who told me similar such borrowings happen there far too often to count -
Word to the wise?

[AlmostThere]

Someone told me they had gear stolen in Little Yosemite Valley - another reason to never camp there again, as if the crowds and the crazy bears weren't enough.

Places like Yosemite frontcountry (I don't consider the corridor between Half Dome and Happy Isles as wilderness, it's more like a big mall full of tourists) are logical places to go if you want to ebay yourself some really expensive gear for profit.

Makes me nervous to camp there anywhere... almost justification for taking everything down during the day and putting it back up at night.

[maverick]

Hi Markskor

That is why I lock up anything with value in my trunk when going on a hike, and arm it
though if someone really wants to get it they can.
How far into you stay were you when it got stolen? And if you had a few more days
did you bail or stay?

[balzaccom]

Never had anything stolen in the back country or the front country.

But yes out of cars in front of our house in town.

[markskor]

Mav,
Back then, I knew a lot of park employees with gear to lend, thus I was able to borrow a cheap Sierra Design bag and bought another used MSR stove from a friend of a friend.
Ergo, I was able to stay in the park for another month, sort of sucked though about the purloined WM Apache bag.

FYI, it took me a lot of unsatisfying compromises/not really good enough bags before I broke down and sprung for a new WM Badger.
After years of trying to make due with a lesser gear, I realized that I was now bag-spoiled, and nothing but the best would work.

[dave54]

Personally, no. Never had anything stolen. I returned from a day hike to my way-off-trail campsite (where I was certain no one would come by) and found several footprints around my camp, but nothing taken.

A friend of mine had his car stolen from a day hike trail head, where he was hiking with his young kids. The car was found a few miles down the road over the edge. Fingerprints identified the thief, who was charged with car theft and child endangerment. The latter was his downfall, as it constituted a third strike.


If a particular trailhead has a pattern of break-ins the FS has been known to set up a decoy car and stakeout.

[oldranger]

When I was Roaring River Ranger I always left a window unlocked so if someone really wanted into the station they wouldn't have to do any damage. One June when I returned to the station for the first time since I left the previous fall I found my day pack and a sweater missing. But the good news was they left my beer supply intact. Other than that every time I thought something had been stolen it turned out that I had misplaced it!

Mike