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Post by jacobf on Apr 3, 2018 20:35:21 GMT -8
Will be meeting with friends in Sacramento, so hoping for somewhere not too far from that, and with decent transportation options.
It seems to me that, in mid-May, the main issue in finding a good route will be snow, so if anybody has knowledge or suggestions in that regard I'd really appreciate it.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 4, 2018 10:14:03 GMT -8
Welcome, Jacob.
Yes, mid-May is a tricky one in CA. It's too early and too late--too late for the desert, and way too early for the high country. Honestly, I think you'll need to look at the coast/coastal mountains, though there's some chance the eastern end of Lassen will be open. I doubt you can do a 10-day backpack either of those places, but you could do a 10-day trip with a couple of shorter hikes.
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jdlp
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Post by jdlp on Apr 4, 2018 17:03:55 GMT -8
You'd have to look into the snow levels/call the park, but you might find suitable stuff around Kings Canyon. Bit of a drive from Sacramento though, and again, not guaranteed.
There's may be some stuff in the central coastal ranges, but also a long drive from Sacramento, and on the flipside it could be too hot. Still, there's some good backpacking in the southern part Los Padres. Probably the northern, Big Sur part too, but I am not familiar.
Northwest CA maybe, like redwoods area, or Lost Coast Trail? Not super familiar with the area, but weather ma be decent then. Again, may be a long drive from Sacramento.
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jdlp
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Post by jdlp on Apr 4, 2018 17:07:29 GMT -8
Based on just a quick look at Google maps I'd maybe look into Mendocino National Forest, though couldn't tell you anything about it.
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markskor
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Post by markskor on Apr 4, 2018 17:25:57 GMT -8
Mid May...kinda early but it is a low snow year. When you are all together in Sacramento, perhaps take the Amtrak/Yarts to Yosemite Valley...backpacks only. A great time to see the park - no crowds and great waterfalls...snow should be OK too if you stay below 9,000'. With backpacking gear ready, can stay first night Valley BP. In 10 days you could spend a day or two seeing the Valley. That early, wilderness permits will be easy to get. - get one for somewhere up the Merced for a few nights...maybe even do Half Dome (if the cables are up), and/ or do the North Rim route for 3 - 4 days. Plenty of short TH options. Good time to be a Yosemite bum.
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Post by hikerchick395 on Apr 5, 2018 8:20:56 GMT -8
Just don't arrive in Yosemite Valley on a Saturday, unless early morning or late afternoon. You'd need early morning, though, to have a chance at a campsite. Yosemite has been just a nightmare to get to from one end of the valley to the other. Two years ago, it took us three hours to get to our campsite from the tunnel...the worst traffic that I've been in there since having to get in to go to work on Memorial Day 1978. Of course, you can probably walk in faster than the traffic. And if you do take a bus, a bus/shuttle lane may be operating.
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Post by jacobf on Apr 5, 2018 11:32:49 GMT -8
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Yosemite is a very attractive idea. I just want to make sure that there is a possibility of putting together at least 3 or so consecutive days of backpacking along trails that stay below 9000'. Where can I found resources on Yosemite trails, routes, camp sites etc.?
But very encouraging to hear that bumming around Yosemite for 10 days or so is possible. Any more specifics would be highly appreciated. And how early should I try to solidify plans by so that I can call and get permits?
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markskor
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Post by markskor on Apr 6, 2018 10:13:43 GMT -8
very encouraging to hear that bumming around Yosemite for 10 days or so is possible. Any more specifics would be highly appreciated. And how early should I try to solidify plans by so that I can call and get permits? First, to cover all your bases, once you know exact dates, you could call today/ try for any available "Reserved Permits" that are still open - try for the Happy Isles TH first...do it ...ASAP. You ask for specifics on how to be a bum and still be legal (with no reservations and no car) in Yosemite for 10 days, mid-May, starting out from Sacramento? How I did it...solo. Have your backpack/ boots/ tent etc trail-ready - be self contained... have most of your food too, ready for a 3 - 4 day trip. Have a Bearcan? If not, (they are required in Yosemite's backcountry, but...) you can rent them there for $5 a week. Nothing else will be needed except ($$)/ plastic...big store/Pizza/beer in the Valley. Round trip Amtrak/YARTS - Old Town Sacramento station to Yosemite Valley (~ 5 hours...nice ride BTW) cost around $75 pp....(and amazingly, the YARTS buses somehow avoids most of the park traffic and uses the bus lanes too.) Coming into the park by YARTS entitles you to stay legally at the Valley BP camp that very first night without a wilderness permit. Get off the YARTS bus at Curry and hike over (>1/2 mile - behind stables). Go thru the North Pines campground, past the little Kiosk...going north, stay on the asphalt, bear right, cross a little bridge...home.
First thing set up camp - no reservation needed...self-pay envelope system. (You have to pay every night - $6 pp/night... Ranger do check too - daily.). This BP site is somewhat special...respect it please, one night at a time. BTW, You are not allowed to leave your tents set up all day long at the BP camp (must vacate daily), even though you are probably coming back. Rangers (last season was Cindy...Don't mess with Cindy!) check the site around 11:00 AM...even look in the bear boxes. Best to come back after noon - stay polite and low key and don't draw attention to yourself by being a loud drunk a$$hole. Most of the night's occupants will come in, set up, and then leave for a spell - off to Curry. Next morning, pack your tent up (everything) and take the free shuttle bus (BTW, "Stables" is the closest shuttle bus stop to the BP camp.) to the Village - get off at the store - head towards/ past Degnan's - go west! There are two categories of wilderness permits - Reserved (60%) and Next Day (40%)...separate entities. Go early to the Valley Wilderness Permit office ("Next Day" line opens up at 11:00 AM...and there will be a line). Just talk to the Ranger. "HI, What's open?... Any "Next Day" permits?" ...(These permits are free but quota limited...first come...). Ask about - Happy Isles to Merced out and back? Half Dome? Upper Falls or Snow Creek THs - North Rim as a loop? BigOakFlat? Glacier Point? As it is early in the year, and assuming you are a smaller group, you will get a "Next Day" wilderness permit somewhere great, starting out tomorrow morning. Hold on to this permit - an important piece of paper. On a technicality... Even though the Valley BP rules say "one night only", you can stay over again Valley BP as your newly obtained permit entitles you to stay there (yes again) under the "One night before starting a trip with a permit" rule...so now can set up camp and go play, be a stud - see the Valley. Next morning, pack up - Hike out early - enjoy your 3 or 4 day backpack...when done grand adventuring, exit back down to the Valley. You can once more stay Valley BP, as your (now just expired) wilderness permit also entitles you to stay here, under the "One night after a trip with a permit" rule. Set up, get pizza, maybe go to the store and shop/resupply...be a park bum. Next morning, get up, pack all up again..., get in line for another "Next Day" wilderness permit to someplace different...same office...same procedure - (repeat as often as needed - could be all summer? At least until TM opens up - 120 - and you can get out of the Valley without hiking out). Always good to see the Valley but much better to be a Yosemite bum out of TM. After 10 days - (sigh, that went by too quick) - make sure you look at your return ticket...when to show up at the Curry bus stop to board the return bus back to Sacramento...civilization. FYI, if you lose track of time and happen to misplace a day, (chit happens!), there is always another YARTS bus tomorrow.
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Post by jacobf on Apr 9, 2018 18:02:37 GMT -8
That's really helpful, thanks so much.
The route I'm looking at now, starting from Happy Isles TH...
Up along the Merced, then splitting off up the John Muir Trail and taking that along Sunrise creek. Then, splitting off that on a trail that goes southeast to Echo Valley. From there, down along the Merced through Lost Valley and Little Yosemite Valley and back to the TH. Stays below 8000', though depending on conditions, could split off at the beginning to check out Cloud's Rest for a night? There are a number of footbridges along the second half of the route. Might that be a problem?
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markskor
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Post by markskor on Apr 11, 2018 17:57:06 GMT -8
There are a number of footbridges along the second half of the route. Might that be a problem? Should be no footbridge problems on your intended route. Have fun!
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davesenesac
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Post by davesenesac on Apr 30, 2018 15:02:46 GMT -8
It snows in the Sierra Nevada at least once most May's with freezing temperatures and snow levels down below 7,000 feet. Below that one may see snow showers while ground temperatures have become too warm for even 6 inches of new snow to last more than a couple days. That noted, there are not many backpacking destination in the Sierra below 6000 feet and if so are just a single day in from trailheads. These two are always safe and one can camp along their large rivers:
(manually copy paste link that our forum software mutilates)
mapper.acme.com/?ll=36.86459,-119.02746&z=15&t=T
mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.87872,-119.95035&z=15&t=T
Outside the Sierra, Henry Coe State Park is your best mid May choice where most distant destinations are over 3 long trail days in by foot and beyond a few miles one can disperse camp anywhere.
coepark.net/pineridgeassociation/activities/backpacking
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