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Post by calidream on Jul 21, 2019 19:37:43 GMT -8
It’s been my experience that true alpine areas such as Titcomb Basin are accessible only on foot or horseback. Now that I am unable to backpack in to the wilderness, I’m wondering if there are alpine areas in northern California or Oregon accessible by car. Maybe even camping in alpine or close to it?
Thanks!
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 21, 2019 20:16:09 GMT -8
Saddlebag Lake, Inyo NF campground at over 10,000 ft. Tuolumne Meadows CG at about 9,000. Any number of other Inyo campgrounds within the Sierra on its eastern approaches. Then there’s Grandvuew on White Mountain up towards the Bristlecones. . www.fs.usda.gov/activity/inyo/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=20228&actid=29Of course a more isolated alpine experience is offered by the various national forest OHV routes where there’s dispersed camping. www.fs.usda.gov/activity/inyo/recreation/ohv12,000 feet is enough for “alpine”... “the expansive network of roads and trails that can be explored with a street-legal high-clearance or green-sticker trail vehicle. Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV’s) have access to nearly 2200 miles of trails and roads leading through a million acres of non-wilderness lands. Some of these routes reach to nearly 12,000 feet in elevation and offer breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada, the Owens Valley, and the Great Basin ranges. OHV roads and trails lead to historic mines and structures, great dispersed camping, hunting, inspiring viewpoints, and a variety of day-use activities, such as hiking, swimming, fishing and more.”
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 22, 2019 7:15:25 GMT -8
Yes, though I’d say those are more just sub-alpine. I’m trying to think of areas truly above tree-line that you can drive to in CA, and that’s more limited. But areas off Sonora Pass (highway 20) offer some possibilities, I think. I do remember a dirt road heading north from right at the pass (last time we crossed that one we were looking for a place to pull out and sleep). In the White Mountains it’s much drier so the sense of treeline and the alpine is a bit different, but I like it in the pinon/juniper forests high up in the Great Basin mountains.
Oregon I don’t think has any options for alpine or near-alpine driving (really, only the tops of the larger volcanoes are high enough), but in Washington State you could consider driving to the campground at Hart’s Pass, which is at the upper limit of trees (and is the highest road in the state, though unpaved).
ETA: really sorry to hear you have had to give up backpacking. Is horse-packing (or a drop-camp) still an option?
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Jul 22, 2019 11:51:33 GMT -8
There are lots of places in Colorado where you can drive to treeline. If you're ever out that way.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 22, 2019 15:55:13 GMT -8
At the end of the day it’s dependent a bit on “car”? Paved road access only? Less improved roads that need s bit more clearance okay?
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Post by calidream on Jul 22, 2019 15:58:18 GMT -8
Thank y'all very much. Getting out maps and so on right now.
Thanks, Rebecca. One of the issues at this point is staying fairly close (a few hours away would be fine) to medical services beyond my primary care abilities. What we've done adaptation-wise is spend a few days in places like Big Sur, La Honda, Bolinas, Mendo, and so on. But there's something about those high and wild places - not that they'll be so wild if we can drive there.
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Post by calidream on Jul 22, 2019 15:59:31 GMT -8
Paved road access only? Less improved roads that need s bit more clearance okay? Driving the official care of Berkeley: a Prius.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 22, 2019 16:14:26 GMT -8
Paved road access only? Less improved roads that need s bit more clearance okay? Driving the official care of Berkeley: a Prius. Ouch, I’ve seen them get hung up on roads, specifically the road to Yosemite Creek campground: otoh that’s part of its appeal as it tends to be the last to fill with a tough, single lane in portions, approach. Downside they open it last as the travel time for the restroom maintenance crew eats unto their crew availability. Saddlebag at 10k is on a decent road, the operator there offers a cross lake ferry most seasons (it was just sold to the Tioga Pass Resort people so I’m unclear about this year) and one half of the Twenty Lakes Basin loop is a mining Russ so reasonable accessible (though not for literal “access” such as wheelchairs. Reasonably close to Mammoth and Bishop re services. For a day hiking base it’s s nice one. Up towards Mt Conness is the Harvey Monroe Hall natural area where a Carnegie study on plants adaptation to their environment chose their high elevation study garden. The other attraction is the geology is different from the Yosemite granite so there’s different vegetation. Columbine love it. www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=20612&actid=29www.tiogapassresort.com/www.saddlebaglakeresort.com/rebeccad Well, the OP did end with “or close to it”
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 22, 2019 18:47:53 GMT -8
Well, heck, we’ve taken our Prius to the Eureka Dunes, as well as the Panamint Dunes and to a fair number of remote trailheads. So no worries
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davesenesac
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Post by davesenesac on Jul 23, 2019 18:26:23 GMT -8
Well outside of the noted White Mountains, at most in the Sierra one can drive to timberline areas. Along the Eastern Sierra as HSF noted are a number of spur roads that lead to timberline elevations though most do not have strong roadside views unless one hikes at least short distances. Likewise even less so for public campgrounds in those areas. The best would be highway SR120 that goes through Yosemite at Tioga Pass, especially the dramatic Lee Vining Canyon the road descends east of the park. Will recommend the small Ellery Lake Campground that has views as dramatic as any in the backcountry.
The paved road to Saddlebag Lake is not that interesting near road side however taking the boat taxi to the north end of the lake brings one into an impressive basin. Another spectacular timberline view may be had at Minaret Summit along the Devils Postpile Road. Also in the Bishop Creek area the views from North Lake that is via a short gravel spur road.
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Post by calidream on Jul 24, 2019 6:48:39 GMT -8
Thank you, High Sierra Fan, Rebecca, Dave, and Toejam. Your experience and the time you took to share were very helpful to us. The links and thoughts helped in visualizing and planning for the mountain’s call. Alas, through this process I realized that one of the issues that’s slowing us way down (very symptomatic atrial fibrillation) could be exacerbated by altitude because of <O2 causing >workload on the heart. I checked it out, and indeed, that is the case.
Despite the fact that we will not be camping at altitude, we’ll likely drive some of the highways you noted.
This process reinforced the idea that it’s a real good idea to live as fully as possible all along the way. When I returned to backpacking at about age 60 I was acutely aware of having a limited time in the mountains. Now, at 75, I think I’ll never trek high into the wilderness again.
So, Deepest Gratitude for ever having been there.
Long ago I climbed in Arches and Fisher Towers. Looks like we’re desert bound!
I want to sleep with you in the desert tonight With a billion stars all around…
Thank you
(HSF: Tioga Pass Resort is closed until next year)
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 24, 2019 9:40:51 GMT -8
Thanks, yes I actually have been following their reconstruction progress on FB, I take it as a good sign for their overall financial state that they were able to buy Saddlebag Resort. I was by the place right after in the summer of 2017 and the damage was impressive. 80 feet of snowpack (their report) had a severe squishing effect on a very substantial building. I remarked st the time it put Parsons Lodge bunker style construction )those walls!) into perspective.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 24, 2019 10:16:13 GMT -8
Now, at 75, I think I’ll never trek high into the wilderness again. Definitely a reason to head north. At least in northern Washington and Canada you can get into the alpine without dealing with high altitudes.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 24, 2019 10:32:38 GMT -8
Or east! Mt Washington’s summit is only 6288 feet.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 24, 2019 19:53:20 GMT -8
Or east! Mt Washington’s summit is only 6288 feet. Well, yes, but "our" Washington is closer to CA--a little more reasonable as a road trip.
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