High Sierra Topix

Bishop_Bob wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:46 am

bald tires wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2025 10:43 pm Just looked at Rec.gov again to see if people are reserving permits in SNF and SEKI. Except for Bubbs creek, Woods creek and the HST virtually nobody is reserving permits. Occasionally you will see some permits reserved but by and large everything is wide open.

Shh! Keep it on the down-low.

Lakes and Lakes pass-through also seem to be gone instantly once released

The Lakes Trail and Lake Trail pass through are both walk-up permits only. There are no advanced reservations. One needs to get them at Lodgepole the day before.

Seems like the easiest way to get into Yosemite is to start in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and go over Isberg or Fernandez passes. Then hike wherever you want to. Or take YARTS into Yosemite and go from there. I haven't driven into Yosemite in decades. I would take Amtrak to Merced and YARTS into the park. I would mail priority mail resupply packages to the PO in Tuolumne Meadows. Hike for a week. Resupply and hike for another week. When I was ready to leave I would take YARTS back to Merced and catch the train home.

Been looking at Yosemite wilderness permits. Except for the most popular trails very few permits are being reserved. This is up to July 1st so the possibility of snow in the back country is probably the reason permits aren't being reserved. After having to contend with snow on north facing slopes once in early July in the Ansel Adams wilderness, I have no interest in repeating that experience. Be interesting to see what happens when the July lottery results are in. I also expect things to change with August permits.

bald tires wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 9:34 am Been looking at Yosemite wilderness permits. Except for the most popular trails very few permits are being reserved. This is up to July 1st so the possibility of snow in the back country is probably the reason permits aren't being reserved. After having to contend with snow on north facing slopes once in early July in the Ansel Adams wilderness, I have no interest in repeating that experience. Be interesting to see what happens when the July lottery results are in. I also expect things to change with August permits.

July is a good month for lower elevation stuff. Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne? Nice falls, bugs are mainly up higher. Also no trail maintenance yet.

Dang it all, Kearsage Pass filled up immediately and I was not one of the Chosen 36. I was one of the first to get to it because there were still 36 passes left, the maximum quota, but I got a "too many people trying to get this permit come back later" message, which eventually turned into "no more permits." I've never seen that message about too many people before.
There has been talk of an availability alert. Any news on that?

https://sierrarecmagazine.com/new-hoove ... -+16464435

Prices going up!

balzaccom wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 5:22 pm https://sierrarecmagazine.com/new-hoove ... -+16464435

Prices going up!

Almost double the rate of inflation. Permits must be tracking the price of eggs. Awesome!

As I look at Rec.gov I still see very few permits being reserved except for possibly large groups taking 10 to 15 permits on a Thursday or Friday. My guess is those are scouts on a weekend hike. Copper creek seems to be somewhat popular with a fair number of permits being issued. Probably as an alternative to Woods Creek and Bubbs creek. Still looking like I will have no trouble getting permits where I want o hike this summer. Especially in SEKI where they still have true walk up permits.