Sierrapaloosa 2003

“Snow I will now be flying in 6/20 and will in the back country the weekend of 6/28. So if you're not busy... I'll email.

So I will be doing the 5 dayer!!! I better start running those stairs now!!! LOL!”

“Who's doing the rez's for the 5 dayer? I wanna pay fer it.”

“I think it's $10 for the whole group, so it will be $1 to $2 dollars a person - not a bad deal. Snow Nymph are you still going to do the reserving?”

“Are these dates locked down yet? Am I safe to get airline tickets now?

My son and I will probably be doing the five day trip. What are my options as far as getting a ride from an airport? What airport?

Can't wait!”

“Fritz: are you doing the 5-day or the 7-day trip?”

“Pretty sure it will be the five-day trip.”

“Fritz, I'm driving from Phoenix, maybe a day early to aclimate, let me know and maybe I can pick you up, if no one else is available.”

“I'm sorry, I have probably asked these questions before, but....what time will these groups hit the trail on 7/3 and 7/5, and what time do you expect to be off the trail on 7/7 and 7/11?

Or to put this question more simply...is it a valid assumption that I will have to fly in the day before, and fly out the day after? Or is it possible to get off the trail and make it to the airport the same day?

Thanks...”

“Start time is 0847, end time is 1652 sharp, stragglers will be shot.

:)

From what I saw on the map, the road in and out is quite an adventure in itself, but I'll defer to the locals. Given all the unknown's I seldom plan anything else on the day of a hike.”

“Snow are you reserving for both groups??”

“Ldhiker, ya musta missed the last update, we've greatly simplified the ETA on both ends for everybody. It's now 0830 and 1700 sharp. Let's not be misleading our good bud Fritz!”

“It is still a maybe for me. I should know by next month, march, whether or not I can come along. It all depends if I get that wrangling job or not in Colorado for the summer season.”

“Thanks for looking out for me, ape. :)”

“Fritz: If you fly into Ontario on the 2nd, I can pick you up. I'm going to head up on the 2nd and sleep at or near the trailhead. I'll be heading back down on the 7th in the evening.”

“We're driving up after work on the 2nd and hope I don't get lost (I have bad luck on the west side), and sleep at the TH to acclimatize.

I am only getting a permit for the 5 day trip. Enter 7/3 and exit 7/7.

I have to wait til March 1st, so if you're planning to go I have to know by then. I think the limit is 15 on a permit. If we have more than that, someone else has to get a 2nd permit.

Fritz, the 5 day trip is Jul 3-7. I have to have coverage for my desk, so those days are set. Hitting the trail? Ldhiker will probably start at 6am, LOL! We'll probably start between 8-9, depending on the group. We'll probably hike in different groups, but will always keep contact. SnowDude and I carry 2-way radios. We'll have plenty of time to enjoy the views. Its a long windy road from the highway to the trailhead, so it'll take a few hrs to get there. Since you're flying, you should give a day on each end of the trip for getting to and from the trailhead.

Ok, this is the last post for tonight! Going to Mammoth! Have a great weekend!”

“I will get the permit for the 7 day trip. Permits are available March 1st, so I too need to know who's going by then.
I'll be leaving the L.A. area on Friday 7/4, time depending on other peoples flights into LAX, Orange Co. etc.
Hit the trail Sat. AM. come out on Fri. 7/11.”

“The list I have for the 7 day loop is:
Me
Trekngirl
Hodgeman
Txwoodswoman
pepperdog
Phil
Evergreen
and bbinkley on BOTH the 7 day and 5 day trips.

Maybes:
pocketair

and maybe on BOTH trips:
Rockman
2scoops
Fritz


Any changes I should make to this list?”

“Count me in as a maybe for the 5 dayer! Thanks Navi!”

“Nav - I am still planning on the 7 day trip. I can pick people up at the airport as well as carpool.

What is that last stretch of road like to Mineral King? I have never driven it.”

“Now my boss is hedging with the time off. Grrr...

Apparently, someone requested these days before I did, but she forgot to check before approving mine...

I don't know if I can get someone to cover for me or not. I'll have to change to a maybe for the five day trip. DAMMIT

Not that I'm frustrated about it or anything...”

“I'm def. interested in this hike...If the permit is for 15 then maybe I'll check closer to summer and see what's up...usually it's easy to get permits that early in July...hope you guys don't mind rain..”

“Phil, the road is long and twisty. Paved most of the way and graded dirt the rest. As I remember it's about 25 miles and about 1 hour long. Mostly oak and chaparel with some sequoias then pines then the trailhead with good views of the Mineral King valley.

Are you starting to get excited?”

“Yes. I am excited. I just found out that my wife was planning her trip to Florida at the same time and that her sister had already locked in her vacation to the first two weeks of July. The issue is what to do with Debi. I am still planning on the hike.”

“Can someone tell what bear precautions are required or advised? I've never hiked where they were a big problem.”

“Bear canisters are mandatory in Sequoia National Park.”

“Bear canisters are required and well worth it.”

“I have an extra bear canister (a garcia) if anyone on the 5-day trip needs one.”

“I have never ever used a cannister- can't we just hang food?”

“You can hang your food, but only if you like to feed the bears.”

“I'm in for the seven day.Thanks”

“Wingding better save that extra canister for me then if it is no trouble to you.”

“http://www.nps.gov/seki/bcinfo.htm

Check out that link for information on food storage.”

“I'll bring the extra canister with me Free23.”

“cool, jvz - it will be fun to hike with you again.”

“Thanks wingding.”

“5 Day trip:
Wind Walker
bbinkley
Hikin Mike
wingding0
tango
Ldhiker
Phaedrus
Snow Nymph
SnowDude

I have 9 so far that replied to the trips section, and a few maybes. From trip reports I've read, this group should be able to do the mileage easily.

Bear canisters ARE required. The Sierra Bears know they can't get into them, so they don't bother. The only time I see bears is when someone hangs their food. A fed bear is a dead bear. I have one extra canister to loan out for the 5 day trip. Send an e-mail, since I don't get to TT every day.

wsdavies is right about the rain. Be prepared for rain. You'll be miserable if you're 3 days out and everything is wet. 2 years ago I did a 5 day trip and the rain never let up. The mosquitos were bad too, so we cut the trip short.

Tango, let me know what your plans are for the weekend before. I'm still adding trips on my calendar, so I'll pencil the previous weekend in for Thousand Island Lake or Gem Lake. Let me know where you plan to be and I'll meet you there.

Looking forward to this trip!”

“Navi - Yes, I'm in for the 7 day permit. Thanks in advance.

I don't suppose anyone would happen to have an extra bear canister, that I could borrow for the 7 day....????”

“They are rentable. I will ask my local friends to see if I can round a few up from regular Sierra hikers.”

“Thanks pepper - I don't know anyone that actually uses one, up here.”

“Tango replied, so the bear canister is taken. Its the bearikade and weighs 1 lb 8 oz and will fit in your Golite Trek easily.”

“For you HodgeDude I think I can borrow one.”

“Thanks Navi !!”

“For you my friend, No prob.

Looking forward to hiking with you again.



You too pepper.”

“I'm unsure on which hike to go on right now but is it safe to assume we'll be making camp in the vicinity of a lake each evening. I plan to fish daily and supplement my meals with tasty trout. Also, will campfires be allowed or will we be in fire-restricted locations. Anyone else plan to fish? I seem to remember the Philster fishing on previous trips.”

“It's been a long time since I've checked in here (even forgot my password.. now I'm 03!). I'm excited to see the Sierrapaloosa trips! I signed up for the 7 dayer.. I haven't had time to read the 644 messages... argggggghhhhhh.. I'll try to catch up soon! I'm in Coos Bay, Oregon and will probably drive. Anyone going my way???”

“Plane ticket has been bought! I am now officially Jonesin' to go on this trip!!!”

“Hey Ladyhiker,
I remember you from way back on a Emigrant Wilderness thread. You mentioned that you just started fly-fishing at Lees Ferry. Good to have ya aboard!

(formerly Pantscandy)”

“LadyHiker - I am tentatively planning to pull into Beaverton Or, on July 2. Then make the drive to the Sacramento area, on the 3rd, to meet up with pepperDog and anyone that's flying into Sac. Hope to make the trailhead by Fri 4th

Perhaps we could arrange to carpool is the schedules align”

“7 days or 4 days. So many options. I guess I better make up my mind, soon.”

“Rockman, on the 7 day trip we will camp next lakes on 3 nights, Monarch, Big 5, & Hamilton, only one, Big 5, could there be a fire. 3 other nights might have enough wood to make a fire, Lost Cyn., Big Arroyo, & Redwood Mdw.”