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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Jul 5, 2016 14:27:41 GMT -8
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daveb
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Post by daveb on Jul 7, 2016 7:26:16 GMT -8
Ok, so going by the book the suggested itinerary is;
1st night - Marion Lake 2nd night - Death Canyon Shelf 3rd night - South Fork Cascade Canyon 4th night - North Fork Cascade Canyon 5th night - Holly Lake
How does that sound and what are your suggested backup camps in case any of those are taken up?
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Jul 7, 2016 11:47:33 GMT -8
The walk from Marion Lake to the DC Shelf is short. I'd continue to the Alaska Basin instead. Mirror Lake rather than Sunset lake. Plus, you can do a side trip with only a small day pack up to Static Peak from there, leaving your tent and other gear behind. Come back, pack up and head to South Fork.
I like the middle of the zone in South Fork best. You can soak in the stream there (near the group site). However most will tell you the upper part of the zone is their favorite. If you can't get a site in the South Fork, get a site up in Avalanche Canyon...Snowdrift Lake to be exact.
In the North Fork get as high in the zone as you can (closest to Lake Solitude). There are 2 sites on the left and 1 on the right beyond the group sites. That will yield the best photo opts as the sunsets too. In the event the North Fork is full, there is one site up at Mica Lake. To get there continue through the North Fork to Lake Solitude and head southeast up the scree field to the lake.
If Holly Lake is booked, stay in Upper Paintbrush instead. Much prettier. Although I have always seen moose in lower paintbrush.
Next?
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jul 7, 2016 12:06:11 GMT -8
^ What he said. Anywhere in Alaska Basin is good to me. We did Marion, Alaska Basin, North Fork, and Holly. Would've been nicer to take an extra day.
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Jul 8, 2016 3:16:54 GMT -8
I should have mentioned earlier but, Marion Lake (along with Holly) are the only 2 I see any chance of being declined for permit. So the 2 options from Marion would be to camp at Moose Lake. Yes it's a mile or so of backtracking, but an awesome place to camp in the southern part of the park. We listened to wolves howl one night and saw 2 wolves there the next morning. If not there continue past Marion Lake (about a 350 foot altitude gain) and camp just outside the park in the jedediah smith wilderness area. Here you will have 360* views and your first look at the cathedral group. If you do this, fill up on water at Marion Lake.
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daveb
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Post by daveb on Jul 8, 2016 7:21:26 GMT -8
camp just outside the park in the jedediah smith wilderness area. Here you will have 360* views and your first look at the cathedral group. If you do this, fill up on water at Marion Lake. That is very helpful! Thank you! If we can't get a camp site at Holly lake, what are your suggestions? I read where most of the streams dry up in September. Will our longest hike without water be between Marion lake and the Basin Lakes?
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jul 8, 2016 8:37:24 GMT -8
Oddly enough, I never consider hiking for 1 day without crossing water as a problem. As long as I have water near camp, I am good. I did my TCT hike in early Sept, in '08 I believe. I don't recall water between Marion and the Basin, but I also don't mind carrying my water for the day.
There was lots of water in all of the streams when we were there, but that may have been an unusual year. Water was prevalent in the South Fork, the North Fork, and on the way down from Holly. (We had a big storm the first day and night while on our way to Marion, and while at Marion. John mentioned wondering about us while the storm passed through.)
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Jul 8, 2016 12:22:53 GMT -8
Yes I remember that year, Zeke. I was going in to the Motel 6 as you were leaving. I believe you said you saw a brown bear somewhere near Holly Lake too?? The rangers will tell you the brown bear stay north of Paintbrush Canyon. Personally I have never seen one or signs of one south of Leigh Canyon.
To your question. You SHOULD still have a few places across the shelf where you can filter water. Even in the dry years I have always found something. But to be on the safe side, plan to have enough to get you from camp, to the Basin ( about 6 miles of level and down hill walking).
I think I mention if you can't get Holly, I prefer Upper Paintbrush. BUT, in Lower Paintbrush you'll have a good chance of waking up to the sights and sounds of a moose.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jul 8, 2016 12:28:57 GMT -8
Yes, we saw one grazing the hillside above Holly, on the North side. Had to pull out the binoculars to really see it. Could've been a black bear, but it was definitely brown in color. Now, about that moose who blocked our trail for a few minutes...
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Post by absarokanaut on Jul 8, 2016 12:55:45 GMT -8
I've seen hundreds of Brown Bears in the Tetons over the years, only one of them was a grizzly.
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daveb
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Post by daveb on Jul 18, 2016 8:08:26 GMT -8
The walk from Marion Lake to the DC Shelf is short. I'd continue to the Alaska Basin instead. Mirror Lake rather than Sunset lake. Mirror lake is one of the basin lakes right?
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Jul 18, 2016 13:05:32 GMT -8
Yes. You get to Mirror Lake before the up and over to Sunset Lake (Both in the Alaska Basin). Plus, if you decide to do the highly recommended side trip up to Static Peak, Mirror Lake is a better location.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jul 18, 2016 15:49:21 GMT -8
We had serious smke in the hole this morning but it blew out this afternoon. Hoping they get a handle on the fires at Lava Mountain and Cliff/Granite Creeks. The latter has a 50,000' top right now.
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daveb
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Post by daveb on Jul 20, 2016 12:36:38 GMT -8
I just heard the Cliff Creek fire has spread and has consumed over 7,000 acres so far. I hope you're not in the way absarokanaut.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jul 20, 2016 14:49:57 GMT -8
I am fine, but I'll be driving by the Lava Mt. Fire on Friday unless it jumps 26/287.
Cliff Creek Fire has grown a little less than 1,000 acres in 24 hours, MUCH better [less] than Monday or Tuesday. Smoke was not as bad this morning; winds completely clear the Tetons later mornings.
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