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Post by exileonmainst17 on Sept 8, 2020 8:35:10 GMT -8
Hey guys,
As someone who hasn't hiked during an active fire season like this one, I've got a couple questions. Now I know conditions change rapidly and nobody has a crystal ball to say what may happen but still would like y'alls opinion on the situation.
My girlfriend and I are slated to start a 5 night trip on September 20th in Yosemite. A lot can happen in 12 days. But given the current conditions of smoke and fire hazards, is smoke a big hindrance to a trip, in general? Should we cancel and save this trip for maybe the spring?
I'm just looking for someone who has experience hiking in similar conditions like this, and hopefully can share their experience and whatnot.
Thanks everyone. Hope those of you who live in the area will be out of the paths of these fires and all stay safe!
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Post by cweston on Sept 8, 2020 9:19:04 GMT -8
I'd venture to guess that anyone that's been backpacking long in the western mountains has had hikes affected by smoke (hopefully not actual fire!) at some point. I certainly have. On a really basic level, one thing smoke does is obscure the views that are a big reason you're there in the first place. Here, for example, is the "million dollar" view of the Sangres from my current cabin when smoke from fires to the north rolled in yesterday:  Smoke can also, of course, detract from the "beautiful, clean mountain air" you were looking forward to. If either you or your girlfriend have asthma or similar conditions, that's definitely something you'll need to take into account. But most of the time, if there is not an active fire very nearby, you can have a perfectly enjoyable trip with some smoke in the area, as many a backpacker has. Weather patterns are particularly volatile in mountain areas, so you may have bad smoke one day and clear air the next. That said, I certainly would consider cancelling if there are any active fires nearby (or maybe the NPS will make that decision for you). |
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toejam
Trail Wise!
Hiking to raise awareness
Posts: 1,795 
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Post by toejam on Sept 10, 2020 11:23:12 GMT -8
Smoke is a bit of an issue on most of my Sierra hikes. I was in Kings Canyon NP Aug 23-30 while fires were raging to the west. We had a couple of hazy days but mostly bluebird skies. One night after dark a very thick cloud of smoke enveloped us where we were wondering if we'd need to run for our lives. There was no fire anywhere near us and a few hours later we could see the Milky Way again. It's hard to tell what the wind will bring you.
There are more fires and smoke up there now, but you don't know how things will be. I wouldn't bail out. There's nowhere else to go anyway.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Sept 10, 2020 12:55:57 GMT -8
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Post by exileonmainst17 on Sept 10, 2020 15:48:30 GMT -8
Yeah I am checking the air quality page and webcams about every two hours every day haha. The past two days have been pretty gnarly in Yosemite, smoke wise.
We're going through with our plans, barring any new fires jeopardizing the park/our route or making conditions as smoky as they have been the past couple days. Seems like hiking in little to moderate smoke is not a huge deal, just a bummer when you reach a world class view. I hear too that, in tolerable amounts, smoke can be a neat, different experience in its own right
Also bringing a satellite radio to check in on potential fires springing up or dramatic shifts in wind/weather.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Sept 10, 2020 16:23:08 GMT -8
Good luck. I've had that area on my short list for a while now, I've not spent nearly enough time north of Tioga Rd as I should have.
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