Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 21, 2018 14:28:51 GMT -8
So as Fall heads in and the skies clear I’m starting to list out possibles. Mineral King and Piute Pass are two. Mostly a thought of visiting old friends after too long.
I will be diving to Tuolumne Meadows to check out the air quality first hand. If its ok, I will shortly pack up and stand in line for a next days wilderness permit. I plan to go out as much as I can until the 15th of October.
Post by davesenesac on Aug 22, 2018 8:24:35 GMT -8
Most of the Eastern Sierra is finally clear and the low pressure system over Oregon is the first of the season so is helping push away inversion layers here in Northern California. Lions Fire still putting smoke into Mammoth area.
Expect to backpack a couple days into 20 Lakes Basin after this weekend as expect dwarf bilberry and arctic willow ought to be turning color. On Goggle Earth one can find High Sierra locations where those plants are prominent by using the historical imagery slider and selecting September 14, 2013, zooming in and looking for reddish purple areas. Another good destination is Dusy Basin:
Post by hikerchick395 on Aug 26, 2018 8:46:07 GMT -8
"clearing" depends where you are and when. Thursday morning was clear and cool NW of Bishop but the afternoon was smoky even up Bishop Creek (don't know if it extended up into the highest country.) Same yesterday, even cooler morning, but quite hazy in the afternoon. (I went down to Independence and it started clearing a bit at dusk.)
Previously, the smoke was bad in the morning and clearing in the afternoon.
Lee Vining south to Smoky Bear Flat was VERY smoky on Tuesday.
Post by davesenesac on Aug 27, 2018 7:20:28 GMT -8
Thanks hc395. The stubborn troughy circulation that was parked over the NW has been pushing smoky air southward that about central California then moves west and over the Sierra. On our coast that has meant 3 weeks along the coast of foggy mornings with marginal if any clearing in afternoons and temps rarely reaching 70F. A bit inland temps have been below average though pleasant. I was hoping to drive up for a couple days in 20 Lakes Basin but too much smoke haze so will wait and see after this holiday weekend. The dwarf bilberry and arctic willow are usually in color till before mid September. After that wanes, aspen start changing up in highest Bishop Creek areas. Am likely to do some early color work up along Piute Crags as there are some nice areas of aspen where no one ever goes.
I just came back from a 3 day backpack trip to Glen Aulin. Clear skies and clean fresh air. I saw only a handful of hikers on the trail. The first day I just about had the backpacker campground to myself. The days were in the low 70s, nights went down to the high 30s. Waterfalls were spectacular. Glen Aulin is truely a waterfall wonderland. I did hit smoke coming home on the California side near Topaz Lake.
Post by hikerchick395 on Aug 28, 2018 8:09:38 GMT -8
davesenesac the Piute Pass trail may be a bit "rearranged" after some flash flooding. I haven't been back up, yet, to check it out.
(Ha...the rock/mudslide on the road to Lundy trailhead was so big that Mono County just made a road over the top of it)
We did check out the slide on the Morgan Pass trail yesterday (clear skies in the morning, then a bit of haze.) The trail is considered impassable at 2.4 miles but a hiker could make their way, if careful. Anyway, we just wanted to see the culprit in our muddy water situation, now, when it rains.
Fished at Saddlebag Lake in late July. It was crystal clear with puffy clouds. The smoke moved in in the afternoon and Mount Dana disappeared in the thick haze. That was probably the Ferguson Fire. The persistent smoke currently in and out of this area is from the Lions Fire.
The scenery is second to none, and it has it all. Granite, forest views, rivers and waterfalls. Sad that the High Sierra Camps, and their backpacker camps will soon close.
Sad that the High Sierra Camps, and their backpacker camps will soon close.
Hmm. I was of the understanding they wouldn't open at all this year. Guess that was bad information. Never been to one, but seems like glampacking. Now that I'm older it might be nice to do a tour of them.
Have you stayed at one? If so, it would be nice to read about your experience.
We all control, by decision or indecision, where we are. - Royal Robbins
I just came back from a 3 day backpack trip to Glen Aulin
Always had that on my list but never made it. That and Benson Lake.
Tryband time it for the spring snowmelt runoff as soon as Tioga Rd opens: the water features the length of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne are awe inspiring. My preference is dropping in from White Wolf and down to Pate Valley since while it’s a north facing slope it’s low enough elevation to still be furnace hot. Some great wildflower streamsides and aspen groves. The Tuolumne Hiker bus will drop you off so you could leave your car at Tuolumne and hike to it or loop back to the Valley via Yosemite Creek.
No I have never stayed at one. It is quite expensive. I stay at the backpacker campsites near the High Sierra camps, which are free. Early season, like High Sierra Fan stated is the time to go. The waterfalls in the Grand Canyon Of the Tuolumne are full and flowing. It is well worth the hike to catch them early season.
Tryband time it for the spring snowmelt runoff as soon as Tioga Rd opens: the water features the length of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne are awe inspiring. My preference is dropping in from White Wolf and down to Pate Valley since while it’s a north facing slope it’s low enough elevation to still be furnace hot. Some great wildflower streamsides and aspen groves. The Tuolumne Hiker bus will drop you off so you could leave your car at Tuolumne and hike to it or loop back to the Valley via Yosemite Creek.
Good information. Thanks.
We all control, by decision or indecision, where we are. - Royal Robbins