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Post by thedude on Mar 31, 2022 10:53:38 GMT -8
I am preparing for a 5 day hiking trip starting and ending at Rafferty Creek/Vogelsang in early September. I will use this thread to ask questions, dial in my itinerary and sanity check key aspects of my planning. I have a few questions for starters: - Is the Tuolumne backpack campground a bad idea for the night before and after my hike? In one of the other threads it sounds like this campground gets overrun due to its close proximity to the JMT. Should I avoid it at all costs?
- Are you allowed to sleep in your car in this area? I have a car I would be able to sleep in if necessary if the Tuolumne backpack campground is awful.
- One specific gear question after reading the gear FAQ thread: I currently own a 4.5 lb tent; is this reasonable for this trip, or should I absolutely buy something lighter? If so what is a good threshold? 2.5 lbs? 1 lb?
- Like most things, is it better to secure parking earlier in the day or is there another time that works best for assuring I am able to park my car and not have to hunt for parking?
- Are the mosquitoes likely to be persistently everywhere in early September? I will plan to camp in somewhat close proximity to lakes to I suspect the answer is yes.
- Am I going to be packing out my poop or can I bring a trowel?
That should do it for now. Looking forward to planning for this trip! Thanks in advance for all your help.
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,877
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Post by zeke on Mar 31, 2022 11:48:35 GMT -8
There are lighter tents out there, but 4.5 pounds is in the neighborhood most cheap tents weigh.
Plan on mosquitos. Take a head net and deet. Plan to eat breakfast and dinner inside your tent.
Several of your campsites are close to the High Camps, where you will find compostable toilet facilities. My experience has been trowels are allowed, but carry out your used paper. Carry a dedicated ziplock and hand sanitizer.
The backpacking campground is under construction this year, so I would not plan on it.
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Post by hikerchick395 on Apr 1, 2022 8:54:57 GMT -8
No sleeping in your car inside of the park. There are some campgrounds or spots to sleep in your car, if you are stealthy, outside of the park.
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Post by thedude on Apr 1, 2022 9:56:00 GMT -8
Thank you! Is there a campground near the Rafferty Creek trailhead you would recommend checking out?
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Apr 2, 2022 9:05:53 GMT -8
None within the park this year beyond reservable only ones west on Tioga Rd. This year park campgrounds are reservation only now. Too many are closed for renovation cutting the number of sites close to in half. The Tioga road ones remaining, while nice, are rather small so reservations are tough. Check recreation dot gov. There are a series of Inyo national forest campgrounds strung along 120 east along Lee Vining Canyon. www.fs.usda.gov/activity/inyo/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=20228&actid=29
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Post by thedude on Apr 2, 2022 9:10:18 GMT -8
Thank you! I did find a few that were first come, first served and I didn't want to leave my travel up to chance. So I reserved a spot on hip camp for Fri-Sun prior to my hiking trip. However I will keep this screenshot for future reference thanks for your help!
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Apr 2, 2022 9:17:26 GMT -8
What’s hip camp?
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Apr 2, 2022 9:44:04 GMT -8
Yes, this year in particular fcfs is going to be a strain throughout the NPS system. Visitation is way way up across the board.
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Post by thedude on Apr 2, 2022 9:52:41 GMT -8
Hipcamp, for lack of a better description, is airbnb for campsites. They are private campsites but can be reserved in advance.
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Post by thedude on May 21, 2022 5:18:21 GMT -8
I am beginning to assemble my gear for my trip. I am going to post it here and welcome any feedback or helpful hints.
I stopped into my local REI and got fitted for a Gregory Baltoro 75 pack. That should suit me just fine for a 5 day hike and I am sure I will put it to good use as my kids get older as I am sure I will be the designated pack mule. I used the REI Anniversary 20% off coupon so I ended up with a pretty nice deal.
I used the REI Outlet coupon to get a pair of Black Diamond rain pants. It doesn't sound like it rains much in Yosemite in September but better to be prepared. Along those same lines I got a good deal on a North Face rain jacket from North Face Renewed.
I keep going back and forth in my mind on the tent. I have a Nemo two person tent which weighs around 4.5 pounds. I have been considering one of the Z Packs tents that weigh 2 pounds but am having trouble justifying the steep price. Is there a lightweight tent anyone here would recommend? I am willing to pay higher prices, just want to get some opinions before making a decision.
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Post by cweston on May 21, 2022 6:02:33 GMT -8
For less than what the Z-packs or other cuben fiber tents cost, I think a couple excellent sil-nylon alternatives are…
Tarptent Stratospire (1 or 2P): this is my goto 2P tent. It’s genuinely roomy enough for 2 adults, super storm-worthy, and vents really well.
Dan Durston X-mid (1 or 2P, purchase at Drop.com, not available at all times): similar design to the Stratospire. I have the 1P version of this tent and like it a lot.
Both are trekking pole supported. Others might have some good suggestions for freestanding tents.
PM or email me if you want to talk about borrowing anything—that would probably be possible in early September. My summer trips have to be wrapped up in time for my semester to start in late August.
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Post by thedude on May 21, 2022 7:42:53 GMT -8
Hey cweston, thanks for the suggestions and the offer! Let me confirm with my friend I am hiking with and I will reach out regarding any gear we may need that we do not already have.
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Post by thedude on Jun 3, 2022 14:50:11 GMT -8
I lucked out and was able to pick up a Big Agnes Fly Creek Carbon tent at the REI garage sale for the low, low price of $375. That definitely fits my budget so I feel good about going with a lightweight tent. I don't think I would feel comfortable dropping a grand on a brand new tent, at least not yet.
A couple questions on hiking in the alpine lakes area:
What are the best water sources? Will streams/rivers sill be flowing or should I plan on drawing water from the lakes? I have a gravity filter so I feel good about being able to clean any water when necessary, just wondering if I will luck out and have plentiful flowing water from a creek/river/what have you?
What about shoes? I generally like "minimalist" shoes and I know many people use trail runners for hikes. Is that a good move here, or should I be looking for something more substantial? I don't anticipate any water crossings but let me know if I am way off on that.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jun 4, 2022 15:37:25 GMT -8
September most any year, let alone this dry one, the intermittent streams fed by snowmelt are long gone. So it’s permanent water sources such as lakes and bigger ponds plus larger rivers and streams unless it’s just been raining (the granite countryside leads to fast runoff).
The Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne for instance would be flowing. Cathedral creek might not be.
I just filter away from the waterside to avoid bugs (easy for a gravity system: fill the dirty reservoir and go).
Remember to test fill your bear resistant canister or at least leave time the day before your start to work out how to get everything into it.
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Post by stevet on Jun 5, 2022 11:14:09 GMT -8
Trail runners are suitable footwear, but make sure you have experience hiking in them first. I almost always test some new gear when I go out. But footwear, including socks, and packs I’ll shakedown on weekend hikes or day hikes before committing to something longer.
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