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Post by High Sierra Fan on Dec 31, 2019 9:02:40 GMT -8
If you go as far as Washburn from a start at Cathedral if it fit your schedule and pace heading up the Triple Peak fork of the Merced (a wonderful open granite drainage) for a route along that higher trail back towards the Lyell fork and onwards back to Lewis Creek and out over Vogelsang is a nice route. I’ve done that in the other direction from Rafferty a couple of times as I’m very fond of the Lyell Fork headwaters towards Mt.Lyell. Most summers there’s a park shuttle in Tuolumne Meadows that connects the trailheads so a full loop is less necessary: just bus To the entry trailhead having left your car at the other. Though parking gets tight at Cathedral so it might be better to simply park at the backpackers lot on the Lodge road or the lot by the wilderness office which is close to a shuttle stop at the store/post office/ grill and the Rafferty trailhead.
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toejam
Trail Wise!
Hiking to raise awareness
Posts: 1,795
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Post by toejam on Dec 31, 2019 9:27:58 GMT -8
I don't carry stakes in the sierra. That's an option if you like, but I always carry tent stakes in the Sierra and don't have trouble using them.
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Post by johntpenca on Dec 31, 2019 10:31:34 GMT -8
I just figure why carry stakes when there are always rocks around, and it works when one can't get a stake in. As you say, it's an option. I often camp above tree line where there is no soil to get a stake in.
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Post by greg1062 on Dec 31, 2019 12:57:09 GMT -8
A couple other suggestions:
North Lake to South Lake out of Bishop. A popular route, but full of amazing scenery.
Northern Yosemite lollipop out of Twin Lakes (Bridgeport). Peeler Lake, Rancheria Creek (Arndt Lake), Benson Lake, Matterhorn Canyon (my favorite section).
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markskor
Trail Wise!
Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
Posts: 651
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Post by markskor on Dec 31, 2019 15:22:22 GMT -8
A few more great week-long Yosemite backpacking possbilities - (see Topo.)
- Mammoth Lakes (out of the Agnew Meadows TH). Leave car at the big main Mammoth ski lot...shuttle bus down to Agnew Meadows TH - Garnet - 1000 Island - over Donahue Pass - up to Ireland - Bernice - Washburn - follow the Merced down and do Half Dome - and down to the Valley. This takes advantage of the daily 120 Mammoth <-> Yosemite Valley YARTS bus to get you back to the car. Either direction works! Get permits in Mammoth Lakes or TM.
- Leave car in Yosemite Valley, stay Valley BP first night - and take the morning Glacier Point bus up to the Mono Meadows TH. Route then goes to Lower Ottoway - over Red Peaks Pass - Red Devil - Washburn - again follow Merced down to LYV - Half Dome - and down the mist to your car. Permits for this trip should be easy to get anytime.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Dec 31, 2019 16:20:05 GMT -8
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