Tahoe-Yosemite Trail

“Okay, I've been working on this trip - time to get things organized.

I bought a copy of "The Tahoe-Yosemite Trail". In it, they have recommendations for the Kennedy - Tuolumne Section. Particular interest was to recommended campsites.

I tried to space things out, but we were going from 4 miles to 11 miles, so I'm going to waypoing the recommended campsites and we'll hit them as they seem appropriate.

I have an elevation profile and map if anyone would like for me to send them one

So far, the members include:
Songbyrd
Paigefalk
Oldog
Dennis
Devon
Rob
Fischer

I have a friend from New York that might join us - Calabrese.

If Fischer joins us, he's going to drive also. We're going to have to figure out transportation. I'm going to drive obviously. Songbyrd, I think you were as well, correct.

Although it's not optimal, I would make two trips from Tuolumne out if needed. A group could return to Kennedy Meadows to your car, The other group that's going to fly out Monday could be picked up on a second trip and I'll shuttle them to wherever necessary.

I'm going to get a final head count this week.

Oldog, Are you flying into Sacramento, correct? Are you flying out of Sac or Reno to return home?

As many of you know, I'm taking two weeks off so am contemplating my trip to follow.

Rob”

“Yes, I can drive. Maybe pick up Paige somewhere along the way and anyone else that wants to ride. Not sure where Devon and Dennis are coming from. I'll be leaving from the Sac area and have room for 2 more comfortably.

I wonder if we could recruit one of our many wonderful friends to meet us at the end to shuttle us back up. i'll put out the request. ;)”

“I haven't heard from Sam in a while. Sam, drop me a message or phone call - I'd like t get your number so we can chat.

Potential campsites which have been recommended are:
Sheep Camp
Lunch Meadow
Emigrant Meadow Lake
Tilden Lake
Stubblefield and Kerrick Canyons
Benson Lake (Highly recommended)
Rogers Lake
Matterhorn Canyon
Cold Canyon

We can determine our distance as to which we stay at.”

“Dennis will be joining us, but Devon will not.”

“Sam and I were in the Grand Canyon this week, I just returned an hour ago. I'll read up on this thread tomorrow and put my 2 cents in, just wanted to let you know that we were out of touch for a week plus. Also, perhaps we should limit the number of people on the trip, too many is not good IMO.”

“Paige,

It's only 6 people now, and one is a maybe. That's not bad.

How was the GC? I didn't know you two were there.

rob”

“You're right 6 isn't too many, 8 and over is, looks like there are quite a few maybe's on the trip page though and that's what I was concerned with.
Grand Canyon rocked, that place is so magical, it never ceases to amaze me. I'll post pics soon. I'm headed back there in 3 weeks, can't believe it! I'm a lucky girl.”

“LUCKY GIRL! FOR SURE.”

“hey guys, just wanted to let you all know I jumped on board for this trip!! hope no one minds!! Sounds like it's going to be a long but fun trip!!”

“Rob,

Permits????”

“Karen Key has offered to be at the trail exit and shuttle us back up to our cars. Isn't that awesome?”

“yeah! Can we all fit? There's eight of us now.”

“I thought 6.”

“six maybe seven according to Rob then Armymedic just signed on(welcome Armymedic!). that makes 7-8.”

“this trip needs to go private, also would it be better for me to fly into Reno than Sac . Permits, Paige touched on this .Dates are still for me to arrive on July 20 (what time is the best) and for me to fly out on the 31st (there again what would be my best departure time)
Paige , your Canyon pictures are freakin perfect”

“actually oldog, i've been following along jsut to see the planning process, please dont make it private!”

“oldog, youv'e got mail.”

“I recounted and it looks like 7, still probably too many for Karen to help out. We'll figure out the shuttle sitch, permits are pressing though.”

“Yeah, We'll need one more auto for the shuttle but she'll be a big help.

Rob said he mailed in requests for permits. He and I will be trying to call and check on them.
;)”

“Sorry guys... temporary hiatus.

I'm currently in Park City, Utah completing my Advanced Wilderness Life Support credential and attending a conference on Wilderness Medicine. Sorry for not following this closely lately. Tomorrow afternoon, I'm headed to Moab to hike Canyonlands for a few days. I'll be home Sunday.

PERMITS! - Since we'll be entering Stanislaus National Forest and exiting Yosemite Nat'l Park - no permits are required for Yosemite. The permit only needs to be obtained from the entrance point. This is beneficial for us as Stanislaus Natl Forest does not require advanced permits. We can pick it up in advance or that morning at the station. I'm going to pick it up in advance just to be sure we're ready to go (and to douse all concerns everyone has).

Armymedic - I apoligize but our quota is filled. I'd love to incorporate you into next years trip - although it's currently unplanned.

The current list is:
myself
songbyrd
dennis
don
paige
oldog
john

Seven total. It's very possible one may not make it, but I wont know until May or so and I'd like to keep in on the list.

Questioins, comment, concerns???

Rob”

“as far as next years trip, I've been putting some plans together for a trip to the Sawtooths in Idaho, would you be interested,,,,,,actually anyone on this trip”

“I'll keep it in mind.”

“Me too, a year is a long way away, but it's an area I've always wanted to visit.”

“I'll keep the Sawtooths in mind. Next year, I've had to ideas - initially I was going to plan a trip to Alaska. I've now got an opportunity to travel to Everest Base Camp for 2-3 weeks to help provide medical care. Thats an opportunty hard to pass up. I'll keep in touch and let you know.

Rob”

“Ooh, cool Rob.”

“So I'm curious - what are your planned exit dates, Paige and Theresa. I initially was planning Sunday, then changed it to Monday. Sam tells me you're planning Tuesday. I'm assuming we're all going to carpool so need to conclude this. Alternatively, I can plan a carpool a different day if need-be. I would like to be out Monday though - that's 10 days of hiking.

Also, Sam... Dennis says you're basically organizing with Paige and Theresa. I think he was interested in flying in about the same time.

Rob”

“Rob,
Exit the trail on Monday. I was thinking to spend the night Monday at a camp there on 108 and drive home on Tuesday. That gives time for showers and prepare for flights out. Then we could return to the airport on Tuesday without being to rushed.
Where is Dennis,Don and John coming from? We need to figure them into the airport shuttle as well? Let me know if I can help with that.

Karen is willing to shuttle some of us back up to 108. She can fit 4 tightly or 3 comfortably. Still need one more auto.”

“Song, I'd rather drive home on the exit day. Family will be pressing after being away so long. I can drive my own car and get Oldog etc to the airport on Monday if you really want to camp Monday night, but I thought you were waivering on that and willing to come back Monday.”

“Paige, That's fine too. I was trying to make it easier for flights out. It'll be a long day but we can make it work. Oldog, Have you bought your ticket yet? Better make it a late flight on Monday.”

“what ever works, but I'll need to get a shower somewhere.
Paige ,no more taking pictures while I have a mouth full of mouth-wash (Henry Shier tent post)”

“Dennis will be riding with me. John is still a "possible" although he says he's going to make it. He has a Volkswagon Van so will be glad to shuttle should he make it. Don is still a maybe. He wants to go, but is working on a business deal in Montana. If that doesn't conflict, he's in and can also shuttle.

We'll make it work - even if I have to make two trips on exit day.

I'm going to look into getting the permit on April 20 - drive up 108 to the ranger station

Rob”

“Sounds good. So there are 5 of us for sure and maybe 2 more. Paige and I will be in one auto.”

“any up dates”

“Rob was planning to go check out the Trailhead and pick up our permits a couple of weekes ago. I haven't heard back from him yet. I'll try to put a call in to him before I head out on my Lost Coast trip this Friday.”

“and have a nice trip”

“Thanks Oldog. I'll say hi to Paige for you too. ;)”

“The park office is only open Mon-Fri, friday until 4:30. I haven't had the opportunity to go up yet as I was hoping I could do so on a Saturday. Like I mentioned before, there is no quota so no rush to get the permits. I simply want to have it in my hand. I am considering going up this friday, although I have some work to do with search and rescue and may not be able to.”

“I have the route mapped on National Geographic TOPO! Software. If anyone is interested, please let me know and I'll e-mail it to you. I've also exported the maps in 100k format to a jpeg file for those of you without NG TOPO Software. If someones interested, I can convert the 7.5' format although it will probably take about 20 maps.

On my maps, I've placed waypoints at all the potential campsites.

Rob”

“Two things, yes, e-mail me the maps ,and is there any bail-out points along the route
I have a new E-mail address , finely got high-speed”

“I sent you the maps - 5 of them.

There are NO bail-out points along this route. This is considered the longest stretch of the Sierras without access. One of the "lures" to this section from my standpoint.

Rob”

“I'll arrive in Sacramento Friday July 20,at 7:30 PM Frontier”

“Terminal B ,flight F9 0227”

“Woohoo!
Rob, can you send me the maps?
:D”

“Did you get them? Any comments? I am going to do some peak bagging while on the trail since our daily mileage is pretty low. Hopefully we have some good opportunities.

Rob”

“Robert, could you send me the maps?
Thanks!”

“Okay... dare I post this again!

Next weekend, I'm going to try to get off in time Friday to go get the permits. I'm going to stay up there and perhaps hike the PCT northbound from Sonora Pass. Not sure what the conditions are like - may go 10 miles, maybe 30. Again, the permits can be picked up the day of -but Id like to get them earlier.

Paige or Theresa, any plans next weekend? Want to go up with me?

Rob”

“I have pulled my name from the maybe list. Hope y'all have a grand time, wish I could join you!”

“Sorry I missed that post Rob. We all were in Desolation for Memorial weekend though. So how was the hike? Did you get to go? Are the permits in hand? :)

Fritz, Sorry you can't make it. Hope you have a wonderful summer and get in some great trips.”

“Sure enough... work kept me from making it to the Sierra last weekend. I haven't been very successful in getting out lately with work and home upgrading. This trip is going to be even more enjoyable.

Fischer is opening a new business in Montana - he's still a maybe.

Dennis may not be able to join us. I may not know if he's coming or not until July.

Calabrese hasnt' called in over a couple months. I'm going to send him an email.

Looks like the numbers are dwindling - which often occurs with trips like this.

Rob”

“So confirmed we have You, Me, Paige and Oldog?”