toejam
Trail Wise!
Hiking to raise awareness
Posts: 1,795 
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Post by toejam on May 24, 2019 12:57:12 GMT -8
What's a good week-long backpacking trip on the north side of Yosemite?
Looking for decent trails, no life-threatening creek crossings, lakes with fish, easy permits.
Thanks!
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,881
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Post by zeke on May 24, 2019 13:22:49 GMT -8
Personally, I really enjoyed my Kerrick canyon-Matterhorn Loop trip. Benson Lake and Smedburg Lakes were beautiful. We should have spent an entire day at Smedburg. It's smaller than Benson, but much prettier in my memory. It's a loop, but I felt like we hiked it in the wrong direction. We went counter-clockwise, and had the big climb up the Sawtooths at the end, where maybe they would've been easier at the beginning. Pack was lighter at the end though, so all that climb up Burro Pass was done with less load.
Loop starts out of Twin Lakes, and there was ample parking 12 years ago. We picked up the permit in Bridgeport Ranger District office. No crowds back then. No idea what it is like now. About 55 miles, we did it in 4 nights, 5 days. if we had spent an entire day at Smedburg, it would've been an extra day, but well worth it.
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,881
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Post by zeke on May 24, 2019 17:15:29 GMT -8
ETA: We did it counter-clockwise so we would have the skyline of the Sawtooths for most of a day during our approach. Thought it wold be more scenic. Not so sure now.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on May 24, 2019 19:55:22 GMT -8
One note for this year?
Mammoth just announced they’re extending their ski season daily through to August so elevation even in August might impact route decisions.
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markskor
Trail Wise!
Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
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Post by markskor on May 24, 2019 20:39:34 GMT -8
Agree the loop above would work for a great week - thoughts...
- Twin Lakes TH is a safe place to leave your car. At the far end, over behind the bait shop (pay here), they have a long-term parking area thing...$10 a week...(cost me $20 last time.) Also the little cafe there makes a killer hot turkey sandwich and serves up fresh pie daily.
- That first day's hike up to Peeler is a real b-itch...too bad too as by the time you get there, (I usually camp backside) you will be too tired to fish it as it deserves...nice 'Bows here.
- Benson is next...go all the way to the far end best - White sand beaches..."Riviera of the Sierra". Fishing is tough here though as most of the lake is inaccessible unless you happen to carry a one-man raft...luckily we do.
- Smedberg...worth a zero day here...camp East side...super nice lake.
- We did Tallulah (off trail) next night...can be lunker-city.
- Also have wet a line up at Rodgers...cookie-cutter 12 inch Brookies.
- Matterhorn Canyon to Burro Pass ain't that fun... Matterhorn Peak great views but the climb up really sucks - sand dunes, scree, and talus... Three steps up and slide back two.
- Back to Peeler, Twin Lakes..and your car.
Two cars and a few more trail days would make this trip even better. You could then have a choice of a few other entry THs...no loop. (see TOPO).
- Tuolumne Meadows TH (PCT) - Cold Canyon - Miller - Smedberg ->
- Saddlebag, over Shepherds Crest to Upper McCabe - Miller - Smedberg ->
- Virginia Lakes TH - Summit Lake - Miller Lake - Smedberg - Benson and the rest...exit through Peeler and eventually Twin Lakes...you can decide between Matterhorn or Kerrick canyons... (K much easier).
Have spent a considerable amount of time North Yosemite...September two years ago did the above Virginia Lakes TH to Twin Lakes option but we fished the heck out of everything, (got snowed in 3 days at Benson), and took a leisurly 14 days total.
Enjoy!
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Post by High Sierra Fan on May 24, 2019 20:53:05 GMT -8
I’ll second the above and throw in that a Saddlebag start is a trailhead that does not have a quota, so that pretty much defines “easy permit” to my mind. . The new owners of Saddlebag Resort (the owners of Tioga Pass Resort) are committed to running the ferry fwiw. It’s an Inyo NF permit, can get it at the Mono Lake visitors information center or Tuolumne Meadows (they have an agreement) www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=20652&actid=51 |
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