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Post by lisaanne on Jul 17, 2020 22:45:06 GMT -8
So I LOVE to backpack but haven't been out for 20 years because my husband is more a fan of hotels. When we were first married I took him on what he calls "the death march" and we haven't backpacked since. Now, due to COVID I'm dusting off the backpack! 20 years ago I took many a first time backpackers to an easy hike to summit lake in the Golden Trout. I want to do this hike again (despite not being able to find my maps after 2 decades) or something really similar but I can't seem to get a permit through the online system for ANYTHING and I can't get a ranger on the phone. Who has hiked the Southern Sieras East Side recently? Any advice for permits during COVID? Any other great ideas for a "first timer" hike that is easy, not too traveled, and beautiful?
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toejam
Trail Wise!
Hiking to raise awareness
Posts: 1,795 
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Post by toejam on Jul 20, 2020 11:11:54 GMT -8
There are LOTS of people thinking like you. Lots of trails are more crowded than usual because what else are people going to do? I saw a shocking number of unprepared idiots in the woods last weekend. So please be prepared. I haven't been this year, but there are many places that don't require a permit. Looks like if you stay out of Golden Trout Wilderness, John Muir Wilderness, or the national parks, you don't need a permit. And I don't believe you can't get a permit online (meaning I think you can). I had no problem getting a Kings Canyon NP permit, but it took a couple of days. Keep poking around the National Forest web pages and I bet you can find a hike. I'd look for something near the Kern River if I couldn't get a permit. But some Golden Trout trailheads don't have a quota, so you should be able to get a permit anyway. www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sequoia/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=fsbdev3_059517www.fs.usda.gov/activity/sequoia/recreation/hiking/?recid=79563&actid=51www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5143453.pdf |
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toejam
Trail Wise!
Hiking to raise awareness
Posts: 1,795
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Post by toejam on Jul 20, 2020 11:19:37 GMT -8
Oops, I just saw the other thread. Congrats and have fun. But I'll leave my post because those are good links.
To elaborate on unprepared idiots - people without maps, people who couldn't follow rough trails, people over-crowding campsites, people burning trash in fires that were banned in May, toilet paper everywhere, human feces left behind a rock you would otherwise want to sit on to enjoy a view.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 26, 2020 17:11:01 GMT -8
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2020 6:13:32 GMT -8
I like to backpack, too. I was able to find a couple of permits in the eastern sierras for a little later this summer (August/September), so as others mentioned, you should be able to find something via the recreation.gov site, or you can try to get a walk-in permit at a visitor center (that has worked for me often in the past, but different rules likely apply now). I was just looking through the .gov reservation system early this morning, and it appears a "few" things have opened up. In reading replies to your initial comment, it sounds like you were able to plan a trip, so wishing you the best - Enjoy!
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