Pioneer Basin/Mono Divide

“Hey Stovie - it'll be good to see you again ! That Pepsican stove you gave me has been greatly admired by many for its excellent workmanship.”

“I am always willing to provide airport shuttle/crash pad services, assuming I will be around. I am also considering this trip (don't laugh, I know I consider many more trips than I actually go on). I will be turning 50 on July 31st so I may still be partying and may be out of town but if I am around all TTers have a friend in the Sacramento area.”

“oh yeah - could someone please post a link to Buck's page?”

“Hey, just noticed this trip!

If I can get another vacation after my trip in July, I'll make this trip.

Now, what is it with these class 2, 3, and 4's?

rocky, wannabp, or jvz, have I ever been on any of these types of hikes? I think so, right? I'm not afraid!”

“You'll do fine, HC!”

“I hear Cox Col is hell.”

“not to be negative or anything :)”

“I must be getting serious about this trip.

I just ordered the Mono Divide High Country Trail Map from REI.

I HAVE to go now, or else waste my $8.95! The horror, the horror! ;-)”

“Got my Map today.

Day 4: Upper Second Recess to Lake Italy via Gabbot Pass (Class 2), 5.5 miles

We going up Mills Creek and then thru the pass between Mt Gabb and Mt Abbot? ..then down toward Toe Lake?




Day 5: Lake Italy to Dade or Treasure Lake via Cox Col (Class 2), 5.5 miles

Is Cox Col on the ridge about 0.3 miles NW of Bear Creek Spire?

What kind of footwear do you peeps use?”

“Sorry stovie, I haven't looked at the map or know anything about the route.

Some use running shoes, leather boots, or fabric-type boots. I prefer runners. Whatever you feel comfortable with.”

“Thanks Rockman.
I was getting a little concerned when I saw all the off trail walking/climbing we will be doing.
I usually use trail runners, and have had good service from them in the Winds and Rockies.”

“This is a crazy awesome trip!”

“Is Rockman the only dang trip participant that reads TT?”

“I read it ... sometimes.”

“LOL
Yeah, but you don't have the answers to my questions.”

“I've worn low top Lowa hiking shoes the past two years in the Sierra's and haven't had a problem.”

“I stand corrected, you do have an answer for part of my questions. ;-)

I just bought a new set of Mortrail trailrunners on SALE!
I should have them well broken in before this trip.”

“I think the lack or readers is because we're west coasters. In general, westies really don't post much for some reason. Matt put a limit on the amount of post we can make.”

“I figure Californians already dominate the press and global economy, so they have used up all their good ideas, leaving nothing for TT.

Stovie,
If you stand on Bear Creek Spire, turn around two times, put your hands on your head, then jump on one foot while shouting "Eugene makes the world go round" ... Cox col will be about an inch to your left. But what do I know, I haven't looked at a map yet. I am just a pack animal, follow the person in front of me.”

“Did Eugene die again? Is he going on this trip?
Havn't seen the little guy in a while.”

“Blame it on the westies. I haven't heard from Eugene since late last fall. I hope he hibernated well.”

“follow the person in front of me.” - matt

Sometimes you don't have anyone in front of you. Cross country, off trail, that can be sticky.

I think I might have to buy a mapping GPS for this trip.”

“Cross country is easy out west. Since there are no trees, you just point to where you want to go, and then start walking.”

“I read TT. But usually only first thing in the morning and maybe later in the day. Unfortunately, inbetween I have to work.

I have a pair of lightweight hikers I plan to wear on this trip. (And all my other summer trips come to that.)”

“I saw Eugene this past weekend. He was nestled in the back of Hikerchic's car with 2 cases of Pale Ale.”

“I have a pair of Nike mid boots, but their just spiffed up running shoes. And Matt is right about the location of Cox Col. Its a walk up on the west side, but a little tougher on the east.”

“Rockman, did Eugene get to the luau in January?”

“Here's a map showing cox col - it's between bear creek spire and pipsqueak spire. (Just north of Bear Creek Spire on the map):

http://www.frankandtepo.com/frank/mapndx/pio99.htm”

“Thank You, wingding0!!!!
That's the info I was wanting!
The route is pretty much as I guessed.
Thank you! Thank you!

I'm a bit anal about wanting to know where I'm supposted to be going. ;-)
last edited: 2/23/06 9:45:46 AM”

“SS, I sent you some pic's from Mono Pass Trail to whet your appetite for this trip, you need to bring LOT'S of film!”

“HOLY CRAP!!!!
I just noticed the profile on wingding's link.
Cox Col looks crazy!
I can go up steep parts, but coming down then is a whole 'nother story.

It usually takes me about 3-4 days to get acclimated. Living about 20 feet above sea level doesn't help.”

“Just beware, there's lots of rocks and trees on this trip.”

“Stovie, Naviguesser wears Tivas on pretty much all the Sierra hikes. Your shoes should be fine. People carry 2-way radios and do keep in touch remarkably well. People also stick closer together when there is cross-country travel. You can always be last in line and hike with Jerry and me -- which doesn't mean you'll get where you want to go, but to date, we have always arrived at the campsite by nightfall so the odds will favor us continuing to do the same.

When I'm off work, I'll look at those links. This is goin' be a great trip.

Seems to me that it's time to get permits......”

“Only thing I know for sure is I can't keep up with Aussie.
She is one strong backpacker.”

“Aussie also tells the best jokes!”

“Karen is right. I just called in for my permit (I acturally got a permit for 4). The phone number is 760-873-2483. Its $5 per person. GO!
last edited: 2/23/06 5:26:30 PM”

“This link has some good pictures of Cox Col:

http://pika.hopto.org/Mono_Recesses_2004/aug27.htm

Sure is beautiful.”

“Steve, Are any of those spots on your permit still open? If yes, I would gladly request 1 of them.”

“I can phone and get another permit, but what specifically do I need to ask for ? Do I just specify the Pioneer Basin/Mono Divide area....?

I'm building up my joke repertoire.”

“Not working good on my being able to get those dates off.”

“I'm out.
Thanks for all the help.
I would have loved to be able to hike with y'all.”

“Bummer - sorry to hear that.”

“Mark, Sorry, but I think all the permits are spoken for. But talk to Aussie.

Aussie, give them the start date, entry pass (Mono Pass), end date, exit pass (Cox Col), name and address info, and credit card.”

“I just phoned to get a permit/reservation. She asked me if it was Mono Pass in the Rock Creek area or up near Yosemite - I said Rock Creek but not sure since I don't have my map with me and I couldn't remember any details.

If it is Rock Creek I was told its full for a start date of 8/5......!! So I'm hoping I was wrong about Rock Creek....”

“OK - reread the trip desc and it is Rock Creek.

Well, crap. I guess that does it unless there's an alternative entry point ?”

“Yep, Rock Creek is the trailhead. Looks like we're staying home!”

“Crap, crap and double crap.”

“How about we start a day later and catch-up ? Could that work ? Anyone else in for that ?”

“That's weird. The reserveable quota is 12, and I can't belive that that number has been reached this far out. We can do one of two things: reschedule to leave on Sunday, or have people meet in Pioneer Basin. REACT”

“My vote would be to start Sunday but I can go either way. I haven't booked flights yet so no issue there.

It does seem weird they're booked already. I did ask for 4 so don't know if I would have gotten a different answer if I'd asked for 2, (for example), but then I would have hoped I'd have been told they only have space for two if that was the case.”