West Coast BP'ers - I need advice

“I'm going to Yosemite from April 28th through the 30th. Want to spend most of the time backpacking Yosemite with two days for Mono Lake and Kayaking.

I have a map of Yosemite and am wondering what you all might suggest as possible backpacking with snowshoes routes.

Thank You”

“Twinkle, we're headed there this weekend. I'll post what the conditions are in the valley and up at Badger Pass.”

“Thank you again, Wannabp.

Is the trek from the valley to Mariposa Grove an overnighter?

What about Hetch Hetchy?”

“Here's a site with web cams of the valley: http://www.yosemite.org/vryos/”

“Here's the National Park web site: http://www.nps.gov/yose/

Do a search "snowshoe".
last edited: 4/04/05 11:16:49 PM”

“thanks for the links - already have them but did not thinkof searching "snowshoes"! will investigate and see what's what.. mucho gracias.”

“Tekdude and I did a snowshoe trip to Crocker Point back in 2002. Wind Walker, Tekdude and I also went out to Taft Point a few years ago.

A good book on snowshoeing Yosemite is Michael White's book, "Snowshoe Trails of Yosemite". Have a great time!”

“When I talked to a ranger a couple weeks ago, just before BowlderSon and I went to the Crane Flat area, he said that they often close the road that goes from Chinquapin to Badger Pass once the ski area shuts down - they can't afford the time to maintain it, so just wait until most of the snow melts. So the Badger Pass trailhead options may not work. You can camp in Mariposa Grove, but you have to go some distance up through the grove - check with rangers.”

“I think you can camp at Mariposa Grove only from December to mid-April. I could be wrong...it has been known to happen once or twice! :)”

“I thought I was wrong once.
Turns out I was mistaken.”

“You might also want to float your request out to www.bpmaniacs.com. It's a site made up Nothern California backpackers. Lots of knowledge of Yosemite their as well.”

“Awesome. Thanks guys, this is really good info here. I'll call and find out about camping in Mariposa (when winter is considered over by the rangers). How cool would it be to throw the tent down amongst the giants?

Still wondering if the roundtrip from the Valley to Mariposa is an overnighter? It looks like it on the map but want to get your input on the matter. It would be nice if it was.

Oh, someone on the other site said that snowshoes would probably not be neccessary. I'm confused now but I guess I must wait it out until closer to take-off time. Any clarification on the matter?

Hikin Mike - I'll take a look at those locations.

txs”

“Hikin' Mike - thank you for the link to your trip reports and pictures. I can't believe the trail signs get buried! And the bit about staying further away from cliff edges...really good stuff to read about. The trips look awesome. Okay, off to consult the maps.”

“Twinkle Toes - Will you have 3 full days in Yosemite?”

“You'll have to drive from the Valley to Mariposa Rd. Just in case that's what you are confused about.

When I've done Badger Pass I walked on the road without snowshoes. Maybe that's what they were talking about.”

“Idea 1. I would like to do the following. It may be too adventerous. I'm referncing the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map.

Hike out of the Valley toward Glacier Point - then continue on the trail which skirts Sentinal Dome, Profile Cliffs, Taft Point to where the trail v's below Brideveil - follow on to McGurk Meadow and take the trail all the way south to Turner Ridge area - head East to Wawona - then continue to Marposa Grove. Return just about the same way.

I'm going to tally the milage now and check out the elevation changes. This may be a ridiculous initial plan.”

“OMG. What a stupid plan....it's 30 miles one way!

Scratch that idea for some other time.

Idea #2
Hike out of the Valley toward Glacier Point -continue on the trail which skirts Sentinal Dome, Profile Cliffs, Taft Point to where the trail v's below Brideveil - go West to Silver Strand Fall, Old Inspiration Point, near Turtleback Dome - and then get back to starting point along trail which runs parallel to the Valley Road.

~ 23 miles total.

What say you?”

“Twinkle Toes = Wonder Woman

8^)”

“I've got it! I think I've found a way to get it all in without dropping dead of exhaustion.

Saturday
Depart NYC: 6pm
Arrive Sacramento: 11pm
Pick-up rental car. Stop at all-night Walmart or K-mart for fuel and other last minute items thought of on plane. Drive to Yosemite via 120. Car camp at the Hodgdon Meadows. Sleep sweet sleep.

Sunday
Leisure Day!!
Quick dayhike to Giant Sequoias at either Merced Grove or Tuolumne Grove (which one is nicer?). Head over to the Valley and enjoy.
Camp at: Camp 4

Monday through Tuesday
Let the games begin!

Okay, I've figured out two different routes because Glacier Point trail is closed for winter.

Option 1: depart trailhead near the Nature Center at Happy Isles to Vernal Fall - on to Panorama Cliff - on to V in trail just past Illilouette Fall - head north up to Washburn Point - head west skirting Sentinal Dome to Profile Cliffs - skirt Taft Point to V in trail just north of McGurk Meadow - continue west to Silver Strand Fall and Old Inspiration Point - pass Turtleback Dome and head east on trail parallel to Valley Road back to car. Spend the night back at Camp 4.

Monday night: hope to camp near the V in the trail just north of McGurk Meadow.

Option 2: If Glacier Point trail is open, take that to Washburn Point...rest of plan from above.

Question regarding water-way crossings: Are there bridges? I see that this route involves crossings at several upstream locations. What should I expect to encounter? Are they passable? Please tell me there are bridges.

Wednesday
Details get fuzzy here...still working on this part.
Sleep in a bit...enjoy more of the Valley and then head over to Mono Lake via 108 to 395 to Lee Vining area. Bugger about, relax. Car camp somewhere.

Thursday through Friday
Kayak Mono Lake. Overnighter.

Head back in the evening to Sacramento for early Saturday morning flight. Maybe get a hotel to shower as to not offend the passengers on the flights!

Saturday
Fly back to NYC
Depart Sacramento at 6:45am
Arrive NYC: 5pm

Pass out until Monday morning.


How's that?”

“I am now aware that 108 is closed. Will take 88 instead on the way to Mono Lake.”

“You might be able to buy a shower at the RV Park in Lee Vining.

I'm not familiar with Yosemite so I'm not much help.”

“wow, sounds like fun. Enjoy it. The Moon should still be almost full for a great view on Mono Lake. Wish I were going.”

“Egads - if I thought anyone on this board would have great info regarding the Yosemite trip I thought it would be you Snow Nymph of the Sierras!

Really, thanks to everyones input thus far on the trip. It's been so hopeful in knowing where to look for info and suss out conditions. This should be an awesome trip!”

““I am now aware that 108 is closed. Will take 88 instead on the way to Mono Lake.”
Twinkle Toes

Just made the drive this weekend - Hwy 88 will slow you down. IMHO, it would be better to take Hwy 50 to 89 to 88 to 395. (Cut off a few miles by taking NV 756 to 395 - it sounds more complex than it really is; just turn at the little white bar!)

EDIT: Duh! Just realized you are coming up from Yosemite - Ignore me. Take 88. You wouldn't save any time going up to 50!
last edited: 4/05/05 10:37:21 PM”

“TT, I am really familiar with the Eastern Sierra, and am getting to know Death Valley. But I don't know much about the western Sierra, or Yosemite. Every time I go to the west side I get lost. . . :-(”

“I'll ask around this weekend about trail conditions in the area you're looking at.

There are pay showers in Yosemite Valley in the summer. I'll check if they're open now. Probably are.

Thanks, Bowlder. I saw that Badger Pass was closed and wondered if the road would be open. Probably not, huh? Maybe we'll snowshoe on Tioga or just day hike the valley.”

“TT, any creek or river you cross out of Happy Isles will be bridged. Now that you brought it up, I don't remember coming across any unbridged creeks/river in the park.”

“Any updates regarding what conditions are like?

txs.”

“totaly awesome!

just go hike!”

“TT, the valley has no snow on the ground, and the road to Badger Pass is open and clear. Unless it snows again, you could drive up there and snowshoe out to Dewey Point. There's a meadow en route that would be great for camping or you could do it as a day trip. We did it in about 5 hours round trip; it's 3.5 miles each way and the way is obvious from snow shoe and ski tracks. You would need to check with the permit office about a permit for overnight camping and where to get it. It looked like everything at Badger Pass was shut down except the parking lot.

We day hiked all around the valley floor, but didn't take any hikes out of the valley, so I don't know what's open. Do you guys have camping reservations or are you planning to do the walk-in or backpackers' campground? The campgrounds are probably completely reserved already. It's very beautiful -- waterfalls everywhere. The wildflowers aren't out yet, so they might be blooming when you're there. The dogwoods are budding, so you'll probably see those. No bears yet, unless they just skipped our area.”

“We are going to pick up our backcountry permit when we get our bear cannister. It's too early in the season to do online reservations. The campgrounds appeared to be open. But I will check again now that you mention it.”

“Here's the plan for Yosemite

Sunday
Leisure Day!!
Quick dayhike to Giant Sequoias at either Merced Grove or Tuolumne Grove (which one is nicer?). Head over to the Valley and enjoy.
Camp at: Camp 4

Monday through Tuesday (or Wednesday)

depart trailhead near the Nature Center at Happy Isles to Vernal Fall - on to Panorama Cliff - on to V in trail just past Illilouette Fall - head north up to Washburn Point - head west skirting Sentinal Dome to Profile Cliffs - skirt Taft Point to V in trail just north of McGurk Meadow - continue west to Silver Strand Fall and Old Inspiration Point - pass Turtleback Dome and head east on trail parallel to Valley Road back to car.

Monday night: hope to camp near the V in the trail just north of McGurk Meadow.




I'm so excited!”

“You'll have a wonderful trip no matter where you go. Review your itinerary with the rangers when you get your permit, just in case some trails are closed.

Curry Village has 24 hour/day showers. If you pay the $2 at the front desk, they'll give you 2 towells. If you bring your own towells, you can just locate the bath house (there are 2 and one or the other is always open), walk in, and shower.”

“hey twinks, if ya think there are a lot of moose there, you're full of bull.
last edited: 4/21/05 12:36:39 AM”

“what?”