Llama Hikes '02 - 12-01 update...

“After much juggling of my '02 calendar, I have arrived at a final schedule for each "official" Llama Rama, and some early season shake-down trips, as well.

If there are any newbies in the neighborhood who would like information on upcoming summer hikes in the John Muir, or Ansel Adams Wilderness areas (California),or on one of the three Llama Rama trips, e-mail me and I'll forward maps and trip descriptions.

Here's the final menu of dates:

June 12 to June 18:

Shake-down, early season llama trip to Iva Bell Hot Springs (JMT).

June 24 to July 2:

Shake-down, early season llama trip - fishing trip -
To Purple and Virginia Lakes on the JMT.

July 15 to July 18:

Llama Rama Car Camp trip/ Dutch Oven cook out in the Long Valley Caldera.

July 18 to July 20:

Intermission and arrival of additional new TT group/ camp out at Long Valley.

July 21 to July 27

Llama Rama hike, Part 2:

Cottonwood Lakes base, camp trout fishing hike.

September 17 to 22 (or 23):

Late season Llama Rama hike to Iva Bell hot springs.

I will be e-mailing this latest list of dates to everyone who has expressed interest in these hikes, and who has previously contacted me about being added to any particular trip.”

“Mel: How many miles do you estimate the June 24-July 2 hike to be? How many layover days do you have planned?
Just curious.”

“Hi, Sweetie Pie!

The route in, is still a question - I have to wait to see how much snow we get this winter.
If it's like last year, we'll go in over Duck Pass.

Schedule:

Day 1:
(June 24)
Easy 4 mile day to Barney Lake.

Day 2:
(June 25)
Over Duck Pass to JMT Duck Creek junction - easy 5 mile day.

Day 8:
(June 26)
Duck Creek to Purple Lake
Moderate 7 mile day.

Day 4:
(June 27)
Easy 3 mile day to Virginia Lake

Day 5, 6, 7
(June 28, 29, 30)
Virginia Lake

This one is up for grabs.
We could stay at Purple one more night, but Virginia is FAR nicer!

From Virginia, you can dayhike two miles down to Tullyhole, or back to Purple Lake.

Day 8:
Moderate day return to Duck Creek

Day 9:
Moderate day back to Coldwater Creek trailhead.

If there is too much snow over Duck Pass to go in that way, we have enough time built in to go in at Reds, and exit over Duck, or go back out at Reds.”

“Mel, Thanks!

Will the fishing be mostly for rainbows?”

“Oh, now Phil....

Would I fish only for rainbows?

Uh.....let's see.

Duck, if there is time to fish there on the way down to the campsite at Duck Creek, has good sized rainbows, brookies, and goldens.

Purple has good sized brookies and rainbows.

And Virginia?

Well, Virginia has some REALLY nice goldens.
They are tough to catch, but a few years back I caught a 17 incher there.

Going this early in the season the trout are hungry and usually in the spawning mode.

The goldens will likely be brilliantly colored.

Would you come along?!

Oooh! That would be fun!

Have you ever been back to Virginia?
It's REALLY pretty!”

“That sounds like my kind of hike. My wife usually goes to Florida for 10 days in late June to see her family and I hold down the fort. Way to early to tell.”

“Well for sure keep it in mind.
Virginia is gorgeous that early in the season.

There's hardly anybody back there and the hikers you'll see are mainly doing the PCT.

I'd like to stay at Virginia for a three days just because it's such a lovely place.”

“I think I can make it June 29/30 to Virgina.”

“Oh, now that would be wonderful!

I'm going to put together and send out the dates for the early/ late season trips.
Everyone on the llama rama list gets one.
Anyone else interested can drop me a line.

After that, I'll post the list here of who is interested in which trips, so far.”

“Mel - I might be interested in hiking in with you and hiking out with Snow Nymph...depending on how far and how fast. How far is it from Virginia Lake to the trailhead?

Snow Nymph--I know you are a buff hiker. How fast do you hike normally?”

“Phil....

It's about 12 miles from the Coldwater Trailhead.
You guys could do that in a day, easy.

We will be faster going out after giving The Boys a couple of days to get in, and a rest break at Virginia.

But no way will the Idiots do the whole thing that early in the season.
Me neither. I'se too lazy.”