Agnew Mdw to Tuolumne Mdw

“Seeing as the YARTS bus can bring me back to the Mammoth area, I'm planning a one-way backpacking trip. It look like I can go over either Parker Pass or Donohue Pass to get over to the Tiogo Pass Road.

Does anyone have any input on which route would be more scenic?”

“Keep your thread alive and I'm sure you'll get an answer but for quick feedback e-mail Dunk or Mel.”

“I went from Tuolumne to Reds Meadow Last Year the Island pass Rush creek, Donahue pass areas are exquisite. Lyel canyon seems long and pretty flat on your way back to Tuolumne. Haven't seen the Parker Pass area.
I have pics in my JMT album...
Webshots Albums”

“We were there while controlled burns were happening, so Tuolumne Meadows to Lyell Canyon wes pretty smoky. Once you get over Donohue Pass, the views are awesome. I would avoid Tuolumne before September, tho. The YARTS bus ride took 4 hrs to Curry Village. You can leave your truck at the Mammoth Mtn Inn and leave the keys with them.

Haven't done Parker Pass, only hiked to Parker Lake one afternoon to kill time. Parker Lake Trailhead isn't close to the highway (on a dirt road) and is at the North end of the June Lake Loop, so the other route would be easier for transportation. You'd have to allow another day to set up a shuttle.

The photos are on my webpage under "John Muir Trail". Those photos were disappointing, but you can see thru the smoke how beautiful that area is.”

“snow nymph....
do you know if they schedule those burns in advance....we are planning a major league (at least it is for us middle americans) hike from tuolumne to the valley in mid july....why would you recommend waiting until september?



ps....you don't look anywhere near 45!! tell us how you do it!!”

“Actually, the fires were started by lightning, and instead of putting them out they let the fires go. I felt bad for the young couple that came from Pennsylvania to backpack (5 days) in Yosemite. From Curry Village, there was no visibility, because the smoke was so thick. We could barely make out Half Dome. Cathedral Lakes area wasn't too bad, but was hazy. Lyell Canyon had another "lightning" fire that they let burn, so it was smoky there. Once we passed it (4 mi from T Mdw, it started clearing. After Donohue Pass it was clear.

Recommend after September because kids are in school, less people, less bugs, weather is nice.

45 is just a number. You're as young as you feel. Only the knees feel old, but I still play like a kid.”