Another Sierra Trip for August

“I didn't think there were enough Sierra Trips posted for August so I added another ;P
Anyway there's such a small window to do some good summer backpacking in the Sierra with high water levels, snow, mosqitos etc August seems to be the best month to go. Take a gander and join us if you're so inclined!”

“have fun. We went in at Kearsarge Pass and exited at Whitney Portal last July. That was my 1st time out there and I had a blast.”

“I need a Cali trip...so I may sign up if you don't mind.”

“I'll be in the great state of PA.”

“Hi Paige, Would love to join you but have already comitted for a week + long July trip in Yosemite. I may be able to come in and join you for the last weekend.
last edited: 3/21/06 3:11:31 PM”

“Ewker, I remember your trip, I leant Songbyrd my crampons which she didn't end up needing. Also was interested in the conditions because I was heading out a week or two after you guys.
Gemini, I have heard good things about you would be great to have ya along!
Wounded Knee, you have fun in PA, CA's better but I am sure you know that ;)
Songbyrd, where ya going in July? :) Where did you guys stay out of Kearsage the first night? We stayed at Kearsage lakes.”

“In July we're starting in Tuolumne Meadows, staying at Catheldral Lakes, Echo Valley, Little Yosemite Valley, climb Half Dome and coming out to the Valley floor.
Last year we stayed at Kearsage Lakes as well.We camped on the very last pool.
Hey, you'll be gone for your birthday on this trip. I'll be gone to Yosemite for mine. ;)
Do you have any idea where you might camp the last two nights? I'm thinking of heading in to meet you Saturday the 19th. Do you plan to drive home on Monday?”

“When in July, song? That's a trip I was thinking about doing as Phase 0 of the JMT (Phase 1 would be summer '07, with Phase 2 in summer '08). And who's "we"?”

“Songbyd, oo oo, can I come?

Last night will probably be at just below (west) of Piute Pass, there's a nice little spot that has amazing sunsets.

Not 100 percent sure where the second to last night will be.”

“Bolderman, It's July 8-16.
Paige, It's a trip that a friend has planned. I'll check with him to see if there's any spots left. Very easy trip with low miles. Only going about 25 or so miles in six nights. I'll email you. ;)
Maybe if I am able, I will meet you at that spot west of Piute pass on your last night. You plan to hike out on Monday and car camp, driving home on Tuesday? Or hike out and drive home on Monday?”

“Songbyrd, Woah now, I think I would go crazy these days with mileage like that! Perhaps Bowlder and I will start our own Tuolumne to YV trip ;)

Yes, we will hike out Monday and stay in a Motel, drive home on Tuesday. Would be awesome if you could meet us, spetacular place worth visiting in one's life. If you don't make it this time, put it on your to-do list. :)”

“Soounds like a great trip, Paige. We'll be on the Pioneer Basin trip then. I'll be looking forward to your pictures.”

“Maybe we just jog the 25 miles in half a day with a bottle of water in each hand?”

“Funny, I've done the beginning, middle, and end of that hike!!! Should be awesome.

Are you sure about the 80 mile estimate? Seems like it would be more than that to me, but I haven't researched it at all.”

“yet?”

“Too much hiking and not enough fishing for me. I can never have enough layover days. : )
Hope you get some really cool people sign up and have a great trip.

Ewker, you need to get back out to CA huh?

Songbyrd, sounds like you'll have plenty of time for fishing on your Yosemite trip. Have fun and be sure to get your permits early. I have been jacked around several times getting permits for Yosemite. Anywhere else....never a problem.”

“theflip, I will be back out there this July”

“Good idea, I'd like to switch trips if you'll have me! I was gonna do the Mono Pass / Pioneer Basin trip (an AWESOME hike, incidentially) but I've already done that, and you're hiting some trails I've always wanted to do but never got around to, and I'm getting too old to procrastinate any longer! OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS!

Oh, and I have ton's of room in my vehicle for anyone else coming from Sacramento area!
last edited: 3/22/06 2:30:35 PM”

“Wanderer, great to have you along!
My e-mail addy is paigefalk at sbcglobal dot net if you have any questions. Looks like we'll have someone from LA and someone from the UK, with my husband and I and possibly my 13 year old daughter.
Might be able to carpool, we'll see as we get closer.”

“WannaBP, you guys have a great trip also.
Bowlderman I don't know what I'd do with myself with 22 hours left in the day after the days worth of hiking ;P Seriously though we all hike our own hikes, pace is a personal thing. It seems just as hard for a brisk hiker to slow down as it is for a slow hiker to brisk up.
Phil Yeah, I checked my maps, 80 miles give or take a mile or two.
theflip Fishing is a great way to pass the time, I don't enjoy it as much as I used to. I think Songbyrd would rather sunbathe ;)”

“Yes, I do like to bath AND sunbathe. Hey, I like to enjoy my downtime!”

“and you're an awesome person to spend down time with! :)”

“OOOh, your so nice. We have had some great hikes together haven't we? And let's not forget those wonderful Diva campout parties.;)
last edited: 3/23/06 8:15:38 AM”

“Speaking of Diva parties, when are the next ones?”

“North Lake to JMT via Piute Pass = 17 miles
JMT to Kearsarge Pass Trail = 68 miles
Kearsarge Pass Trail to Onion Valley = 7 miles
Total = 92 miles

I honestly believe the 92 miles is pretty accurate. The Tom Harrison maps agree on the first and last legs. I didn't add up the Tom Harrison mileages for the JMT portion because I think Secor and the on-line JMT mileages are pretty solid.
last edited: 3/26/06 11:43:17 PM”

“You could consider breaking the stretch up into two future hikes:

1. Kearsarge Pass to South Lake, via Bishop Pass. Include a layover day at Rae Lakes

2. South Lake to North Lake

That would make two nice one week trips.”

“Paige - The drunken marmot and I are looking to get out for ~week this summer and this is tempting! Looks like there are still reservable permits available so I'll run it by him and check our vacation availability. It sounds great!”

“Calipidder, cool, would be great to have you two along!

Phil, I'll add it up again and do a day by day. 80 or 90 miles is totally doable for us, we have 9 days to do it and are more then able to hike 10 mile days. Thanks for looking out for us and I'll make sure Wanderer and Meiss are up for 90 miles if that's the case.”

“Yep, that is the time that david will have off between semesters, and I have more vacation days available this year. We were tentatively throwing around the idea of the Rae lakes loop out of the west side, but this sounds better and will get us out a bit longer. Plus you can't beat the company! :D”

“Calipidder, Awesome!
Permits may be a problem though. I am pretty sure I got the last six, unless there has been a cancellation (their website doesn't seem to be up to date as far as permit availbility). But, a walk-in permit can be had as early as 11am the day before(with the usual 40% held for walk-in's) Also Theresa was thinking of coming in out of Piute and meeting us the last night or so.
I don't think I've ever been on more then an overnighter with you guys(many of those though!) It would be too cool to spend more time out together.”

“paige - Cool. It is a beautiful hike, that is for sure.”

“Well, I just got done tracing the route on California Topo and came up with 85.26 miles.
Works for us, how about you Wanderer and Meiss(did you guys get my e-mail sent through the site?)
We'll hike between 8 and 13 miles a day(averaging 9.47333 a day ;)) depending on groups stamina on that particular day and ideal camp sites.”

“Wanderer
we've decided to resupply out of Muir Trail Ranch for our last two nights. We'll spend the night along the river close to the cut-off to Piute Pass, enabling us to day hike it to MTR and pick up a re-supply. It will add 7 miles onto the trip length, but these will be without a pack. It's 45 bucks, plus shipping for a large paint bucket. let me know if you need a link to the info on MTR.
Songbyrd
That actually makes it better and easier for you, you can hike in at Florence Lake and meet us near MTR(we'll be there Sat night) I'll show you the vicinity where we will be (Florence lake is on the west side and will be an easier drive then heading over to the east side). You can spend one or two nights with us, we'll be hiking around ten miles the next day though so it may be too far for you to hike out in one day(20 plus miles!) unless you could get someone to drop you off at Florence lake, you could hike out the other side with us and we could drive you home on Tuesday. Just thoughts and musings. Hope you can join either way. looks like David and Rebecca are coming for the whole trip, cool, I haven't spent more then one night with those guys on the trail (wait that sounds weird ;)”

“Looks like I have one, maybe two permits available for this trip so if anyone's interested drop me a line at paigefalk@sbcglobal.net”

“Paige, I'm sure this will be a great trip. We'll be on the Pioneer Basin trip or I'd jump for this one. Can't wait to see the photos.”

“Thanks Karen, you have a great time where you're at and I'll look forward to the photos from your trip also!”

“Hey Paige just checking are there any openings left? It is possible I could make it. I know it is short notice. I'm also sending you an email.”

“Yep still at least one spot left, it's got your name on it if you'd like. :)”