Mokelumne: TYT or PCT?
Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 11:39 am
Hi folks -
A friend and I (possibly more) are hoping to do a moderate length backpacking trip this summer. A convenient start point for us is somewhere on Highway 4, heading north. The end point will be somewhere near Lake Tahoe area (south, preferably).
It looks like two major trails get us through Mokelumne: The Tahoe-Yosemite trail (TYT) and the Pacific Crest trail (PCT). The TYT goes through Mokelumne canyon (apparently some x-country bush wacking through there) on the west side, whereas I think the PCT stays higher up on the east side.
I don't know the area, so I'm looking to get as much info as I can. For those that have done both: any preferences? Suggestions? Warnings? If you've only done one of the two, any info would be much appreciated. Mosquitoes? Heat? Water (especially considering the dry year)?
About me/us: I've done a handful of backpacking trips, with a bit of x country. I know the basics of x country navigation but I don't have a lot of experience, so if Mokelumne canyon is hard to get through, maybe we should skip that, no? We may bring a friend or two who have done the JMT; they probably have more experience. We're all in good shape.
Either way, we would end up at Carson pass and continue upward through Meiss.
Thanks a bunch.
-Ryan
A friend and I (possibly more) are hoping to do a moderate length backpacking trip this summer. A convenient start point for us is somewhere on Highway 4, heading north. The end point will be somewhere near Lake Tahoe area (south, preferably).
It looks like two major trails get us through Mokelumne: The Tahoe-Yosemite trail (TYT) and the Pacific Crest trail (PCT). The TYT goes through Mokelumne canyon (apparently some x-country bush wacking through there) on the west side, whereas I think the PCT stays higher up on the east side.
I don't know the area, so I'm looking to get as much info as I can. For those that have done both: any preferences? Suggestions? Warnings? If you've only done one of the two, any info would be much appreciated. Mosquitoes? Heat? Water (especially considering the dry year)?
About me/us: I've done a handful of backpacking trips, with a bit of x country. I know the basics of x country navigation but I don't have a lot of experience, so if Mokelumne canyon is hard to get through, maybe we should skip that, no? We may bring a friend or two who have done the JMT; they probably have more experience. We're all in good shape.
Either way, we would end up at Carson pass and continue upward through Meiss.
Thanks a bunch.
-Ryan