Going to California

“I was looking at airfares today and realized that a flight into Sacramento would be free if I use credit card points so I'm considering doing this.

I'm thinking of flying in on a Saturday and staying until the following Sunday, probably May 10-18. I've always wanted to see Yosemite, so that's a definite.

I was thinking of possibly spending a few days in Yosemite, a few in Seqouia/Kings Canyon, a little time in Death Valley and flying back home out of Las Vegas.

Does this seem reasonable? Will I feel like I am cutting myself short with only 3 days in Yosemite? I've never been out west so I want to try to see as much as possible, but not spend so little time at one place that I feel rushed.

Would anyone be interested in coming along? I guess I should have posted this as a trip.”

“was thinking of possibly spending a few days in Yosemite, a few in Seqouia/Kings Canyon, a little time in Death Valley

if all i had was a week, i'd pick one and explore it. it would be a toss up between yosemite and sequoia/king.”

“I think you'll kill yourself running around, you'll feel rushed the whole time, and you'll still feel like you didn't spend enough time in any one place. Spend it all in one place and think, "OK, next year King's Canyon.".

I've been wanting to go back to California again so bad. Wish I could go with ya.”

“Let's talk about what you really like to see & what your interests are... there are so many options out here that to start out just by talking about Yosemite & Kings Canyon you're really limiting yourself!

If you're flying into Sacramento, you can be at TH access to Desolation Wilderness in less than 2 hours!

You can be at South Lake Tahoe in 2 hours!
Ever heard of the Tahoe Rim Trail? Some pretty cool areas there to do easy day-hikes!

Head north & you can be up at BEAUTIFUL places along the north coast in just a few hours... My fav there is either the Lost Coast Trail or maybe Pt Reyes, depends on time of the year.. THERE IS SO MUCH TO SEE that I can't begin to put them all in this simple response

We can go on & on & on & on... that's why California is so cool. One of my fav places that you'll NEVER see anywhere else in the country is a easy trip to Lassen & a hike along the trail that takes you past the volcanic bubbling pools... what a unique experience!

Not taking anything away from those "tourist" spots, but as a resident here with access to everything, I have WAAAAY more places I'd rather go!
last edited: 1/08/08 7:08:53 PM”

“You know, DuctTape, something else just hit me as an option.

There's a place out here called Big Basin Redwood State Park, which for many is just a state park... no big deal. I bring this up only as an example of the options out here... if you are someone who really likes / appreciates vegatative / growth issues, it's a VERY COOL place to visit... you can hike from areas where vegetation is 100% different from your end-point; you start out on the East side of the mountain range where you can look at the "rings" of giant redwoods that are 1500+ years old, then hike over the mountain & down to the ocean... only 11 miles... and all along the way see DRAMATIC differences in vegetation, animal life, etc as you change eco-systems! It is a VERY cool hike if you're into thse kinds of things...

I LOOOOVVVE California, there is just so much out here that it's hard to even begin to tell you what the options are for a brief visit!”

“great song”

“Here's my opinion for someone from Ohio.
Go to Yosemite!
A day or 2 in the Valley with a drive out the Glacier Point Rd, if it's open by then.
Most likely the Tioga Pass road will not be open, so head north and go over the Sierra via Tahoe.
Then a nice drive down 395 to Mono Lake, Mammoth, a bunch of volcanic stuff there, and on to Death Valley and Las Vegas.
You'll have so much variety and you'll know there is SOOO much more to see here.”

“Listen to wanderer, he knows what he's talkin' about. Yosemite is way crowded with turons! Death valley will be too hot in may and you will have mised the desert flowers by then.”

“I will most likely not be getting a whole lot of work done tomorrow.”

““Listen to wanderer, he knows what he's talkin' about. Yosemite is way crowded with turons! Zombie Coyote 6:00:53 PM 1/08/08

DuctTape, let's communicate before you get out here, I'd like to help you make this the most incredible trip of your life! :)

IMHO, the best things to do out here are not necessarily the most popular touron things... as a resident here I'd like to intoduce you to options...”

“If you have not yet seen those places that you listed, GO! You can see them in 1-2 days and then do some of those other things. If you want to relax, then spend more time at your choice places.

Sure, there is more to see. Rome was not built in a day, so there is no need to tour it all in one day. Save some things for other trips. You've already put the best places on your list.”

“My 2 cents (similar to Navi's).

You're thinking of early May, right? Well, if we have a little heavier than normal precipitation, you won't be able to go anywhere in Yosemite (not exactly true, but...) because the high country will all still be covered with snow. Glacier Point road will still be closed, Tioga Pass will still be closed, etc. You'll be left with dumb ol' Yosemite Valley. OK, now, understand that, even with 10 zillion tourists, which is not all that likely anyway, given that schools won't be out yet, May in Yosemite Valley can be spectacular. I have never let crowds of people interfere with my enjoyment of the valley; just ignore them, or walk 100 feet into the woods and you'll be more or less by yourself anyway.

I know less about Sequoia/Kings, but snow situation will apply to some degree there, too. I know almost nothing about DV, other than it's really hot in the summer - if they're hitting triple digits in May, it'll be barely triple digits. Not that big a deal IMHO.

Desolation may also be under snow still in early May.

I second the suggestion of Big Basin - it's pretty cool. And, of course, there's always the entire coastline.
last edited: 1/09/08 7:25:25 AM”

“Boulder is on it. You will likely be in the snow at anything about 8K and maybe lower. I am not even sure Tioga or Beaver passes are open in May? It really depends on the weather. If there are late seasons storms, (and I know you have seen that we are getting pounded but still plenty of time for that to melt off) it could still be pretty snowed in. You can, however, get into the valley pretty much year round and it is gorgeous when the dome has a dusting on it.

Yosemite is about 5hrs from Sacto. Tahoe is about two. But you shouldn't neglect the coast, if this is your first time to CA. The redwoods will blow your mind and who doesn't like visiting the city by the bay.

My advice, that would be a good taste of everything would be:

A) Day trip up to Tahoe from Sacto.
B) Drive down to the city, check out Muir Beach and Muir Woods. Muir Woods has some nice trails through the redwoods and up Mt. Tam.
C) From the city, drive down Hwy 1 to Half Moon Bay and then start cutting over to Yosemite and do the whole driving/walking tour of the main sites in Yosemite (Bridalveil, Half Dome, El Cap, etc.).

Save the Eastern Sierra on the 395 side (Mt. Whitney, John Muir trail, Mono Lake, Whitney, etc.) for your next go around.

Death Valley is a hump from Sacto and while a good time of the year to go, is, again, a separate trip. You really shouldn't try to do it all and since you are coming out of Sacto, what I outlined is a pretty good schedule.

Give a shout when you get to town and dinner's on me.”

“Goin' to Caifornia soon
to listen to Miss Keetoes tune.”

“Sounds like you're getting lots of good advice. I have nothing new to add except you may be able to get some company if you give us a heads up. I will be out of the country but there are lots o' hikers around here. I think a lot have abandoned TT in favor of local boards but it's worth a try.

the bottom line is that you can't go wrong!!”

“Wow, thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I obviously have a lot of decision making to do.

A friend of mine has expressed some interest in joining me, and we're kind of talking about doing this in the middle of June now. Sounds like some of the areas I'd like to see will be a little more accessible then.”

“I used to work for Yosemite the valley is nice and impressive a place everyone should see at least once in there life. Yet another great place to go within the park is the Ten Lakes Trail Head off of Hwy 120. It is a ten mile hike in so it would be a 2 day trip at least. The prize at the end is what this is all about not ten lakes but you stand at the edge of the majestic granite Grand Canyon of the Toulumne River. I found this link on the internet of a trip some people had taken within the the canyon. http://www.pbase.com/kduwel/tuolumne
Enjoy your trip to Yosemite!!! Here is another link http://www.accesscom.com/~ddonehoo/tuolumne/stcoverv2n03.htm”

“#1 Hetch Hetchy - Tiltill Loop 3 days
#2 Big Basin - Skyline 2 Sea 3 Days
#3 Ten Lakes Trailhead 3 Days
#4 Hoover Wilderness - Barney - Peeler - Snow Lake Loop (Carry Crampons in May) 3 Days

Any one of these trips gives you solitude, beauty, and several micro climates in each hike.

Of course - there is Yosemite.....
last edited: 1/09/08 10:01:11 PM”

“Ok, dates are set, and plan is beginning to take form.

I will be flying into Sacramento and picking up a car on Thursday, June 5 sometime in the evening.

At this point I will be on my own until Monday. On Friday I will head toward the coast and I'm thinking I will do a 3 day hike in Big Basin Redwood State Park. I'll be picking my friend up in San Francisco sometime on Monday, so if there's time on Sunday, I'll find something to do. I haven't planned my hike yet, so if it looks like I'll be at the car early, I'll find somewhere to go. If it looks late, I'll probably just get a motel room for the night and grab a shower. (Should I try to make plans to see two places, or just plan on the redwood state park? If I planned a 2 nighter for Fri and Sat, I could try to get to the car early Sunday and overnight somewhere else)

Monday I'll be picking my friend up in San Francisco, and we're going to drive to Yosemite. We're planning to spend Tuesday doing tourist stuff, and the following 3 days in the backcountry.

That brings us to Friday. I'm not sure when our hike will end, so I'm not sure what to do. I was really wanting to check out Desolation Wilderness, so maybe we'll try to get there and find a campground Friday night. My friend is wanting to head home Sunday, and I currently have no plan for a hike yet. I could probably use some guidance on this.

Desolation Wilderness puts us about 2 hours from the airport, so I don't want to scrap it just because we won't have a bunch of time. I know on Friday all we'll be able to do is get there, probably after dark. So, that leaves Saturday, and Sunday morning. I'm thinking either a short backpack, or a dayhike Saturday, and a campground that night to give us an early start Sunday. We haven't bought tickets yet, so we can be flexible. I'd like to hear what the Californians have to say.

Thanks for all the input I've already received. I'd like to hear what you guys think of my plan, esp. the first few days, and the final day or two.”

“Your plan sounds incomplete, but you will try to fill in the gaps the more you discover about the places your going to. I think you will be a tourist the whole trip? Even in the backcounty, but heck thats what its all about anyways. But you could allow time for climbing if you wanted to, once you get up close, do it!”

“Sorry to be a joykill - get your permit now for any trailheads in Yosemite backcountry. This is all quota territory and permits are hard to come by during that time of year for any trailhead especially if part of the JMT. Go here to get them.....Good luck

Oh yea...Big Basin is a nice choice!

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm
last edited: 1/14/08 11:08:32 PM”

“Anytime I get to San Francisco I make time to go to Mt. Tam through Muir Woods National Monument. It is as much of a must see as the Sierra Navadas.

http://www.nps.gov/muwo/
[url]http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471
[/url]”

“Sandyann, you're a step ahead of me. That was going to be my next question. It seems I've seen some people say you can get permits the day of, and some say to get them early. I guess it makes sense to try to get them now. Then I don't have to show up with multiple game plans.

Thanks sticks. That looks like a great idea to fill in my Sunday gap.”

“ductape - Yes, you can show up the day of and try as they save a certain percentage for that purpose. Worst case...If you can't get the permit early then you could always try that. Rather than trying one of the valley trailheads, try and get one that runs up along 120. There are many up that way and the ones inside the valley go the fastest.”

“I got a backcountry permit for the nights we wanted.

Starting at Beehive TH, staying at Lake Vernon the first night, and Rancheria Waterfalls the second, and back out to where we started.

Good hike? I hope so.
last edited: 1/23/08 10:24:37 AM”