No Ca Desolation Wilderness Trip

“Who all can make a May 25-26-27, maybe 28, trip to Desolation Wilderness in Northern CA? Obi, Dunk, Roseymonster, et. al...how do these dates work for y'all? How about a trip from Echo Lake to Eagle Falls on Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe? Any other ideas? Let's get planning!!”

“Wind Walker, sure don't want to leave you out...this might be a great warm-up for your JMT trip...can you join us?”

“Is that North California or North Carolina?”

“Northern California, buy a plane ticket & c'mon out.”

“Its N. Ca where they like speek ah english, cool.”

“I'll be there if you can get me some more vacation time.”

“Hmm, Memorial Weekend. Bummer, I already have a trip planned. The summer is young though so we'll have to try again.

Hey, how about the South Warner Wilderness say around the second weekend in May?”

“I'm also on another trail over Memorial Day, but I would recommend getting permits soon, their trail quotas, especially for a holiday weekend fill up fast and Echo may be the most popular trailhead into Desolation. Good campsite below Susie Lk beside it's outlet with good views to Grass Lk. North side of Dicks Pass may be snowbound too.”

“I'm free that weekend, also the weekend before and the first weekend of the month. The only weekend I really have obligations at the moment is the 12-13. Let's try and do what works best for the most people. Have to check on the snow conditions, however. The snow is melting fast, tho avalanches are probably a concern. We'll have to see what the weather does between now and then. A Pineapple could come rolling through and really mess things up...

Also, I believe they do release some permits on a daily basis.”

“I'm interested if'n ya let new folks go.”

“New folks are encouraged! We need someone to carry the beer!

The first two weekends are out for me, as I'll be in HI, but after that I'm good to go. Also, as that whole area is new to me, any trail is good. One less vote to muddle things up.”

“I should clarify: the first two weekends of May are out for me. Any other times except this coming weekend are good.”

“I would love to go but, I only get Monday afternoon through Thursday off for hiking this summer. But, I'll be hiking in that area in June when I hike from Tuolmne Meadows to Clarks Fork Meadows. :)

Have lots of fun”

“I have a tracking class about that time, bummer. China, on th S Warner, I think I could make that. What do you have in mind?”

“Count me in!

By the way, might I suggest we use ICQ for future group chats on this subject? ICQ allows for any number of people (IRC format best for >4 people) to get in on the chat, and coordinate - at one time - plans for this and other similar treks. If you don't have it, download it (www.icq.come or www.mirabilis.com)...”

“Trinity Trekker...

I found two Summit lakes, re: your post for late April hike... one is 2.27 miles to Long Canyon, the other, about 44 miles north of that. I'm sure I know which one you meant, and it looks like a nice weekender.

As for anyone else suggesting locales, this ne'er been there before hiker needs a bit more info. on the locales... got coordinates?”

“Obi Wan: "www.icq.come"

Is that a new URL identifier for porno sites? LOL”

“The 44 miles had me lost for a moment. The lake over from Long Canyon is the one I am going into. The trail up Long Canyon is 5 miles and the lake is 2-2.5 beyond that.
The other Summit is over in the Marble Mt WA, it is a bigger lake but down in a canyon. While the Summit in the Trinity Alps sits almost on top of the hill and looks over the Alps proper.”

“That's what my maps show, too... OK...

Alpine: No idea what happened there. Typo's deserve the following reply - "Fam Dingers".

Wanderer: I could do Mem. Day weekend. Those dates work find for me. Anyone else want to commit?”

“I'm in if I can get my foot back to gether after surgery. Should know more on Tue (4/10).”

“I'm currently unemployed, so I can't say what my future boss will think about me up and leaving...
But so far I'm in.”

“YeeeHaww!!!I picked up trail permit reservation confirmations today. We enter at Lower Echo Lake TH on Sat, May 26th. We're supposed to stay first night in Zone 29, Gilmore Lake area, if'n y'all are familiar w the permit reservation system. Have permit for 8 people for now, we can adjust if necessary. I counted myself & Wanderer Jr., Obi, Roseymonster, Snails Pace & Tommy. Room for more...Obi can you tell us all how to get on your ICQ thing somehow so's we can work out some details? Guess we have to pick a date / time to log-in?”

“That's cool Wanderer! My schedule still looks open. My girlfriend may want to come along also, if there's room. Is the plan still from Echo Lake to Eagle Falls? Oh boy! First trip of the season. Hey, have you checked snow condition up there? I think we'll be a-ok tho.”

“Woo hoo! Thanks wanderer! Do we owe for the permits, or was that reservation only?”

“Sounds great, foot should be ok by then. I'll try to figure out the ICQ deal or email me if I'm too ICQ Challenged.”

“OK, Got that, Wanderer. How about this: Check ICQ starting tomorrow - Saturday - at 12 Noon. Try to connect then, but if not, try again at 3 p.m., and again at 6 p.m. Like a compass!

My ICQ number is 2269704. I'm changing my "Preferences" for this weekend only, so tha you won't need my authorization to add me to your contact list. It gets changed back on Monday, so don't delay!

When I see you added to MY list (change YOUR preferences, too?), I'll make sure I'm visible to you. Got that?

If you DON'T have ICQ, go to www.mirabilis.com, download it, then do a search (there's a button, all you have to do is click on it, fill in the blanks, like my nick, or email), and it will look for me. When it finds me, follow the logic, fill in the blanks, pres the right buttons, and we'll get together and chat.

After that, Make it Monday evening, 7 p.m.”

“Rosey, there's room for your girlfriend, (the more the merrier)There are extra reservations intentionally.

Tommy, no $$ now, it's only $5.00 for the reservation, you don't pay until you pick up the actual permit.

Snail, I believe Obi Wan Canoli currently holds "Master Jedi" status for the ICQ thing, I've never used it myself but have used something similar, I think. I'm kinda waiting for him to help out on that front.

Anyone else who wants to join us, jump in!

On ICQ we can nail down where we want to go, we're legally free after the first night to do anything we want. Hiking over to Eagle FAlls would be cool, but we have to arrange transportation back...there's lot's of options we can discuss!”

“Obi, I'll send email also, but I'm going hiking & won't be avail this weekend! Thank GOD there's no internet access from my backpack!!!! Can we do something next week AFTER Monday??”

“Not a problem, Wanderer... Check the posts above to access and download icq... glad to help ya on that, where ya hikin' this weekend?

OWC, Jed-eye Ka-nite”

“Thanks for the ICQ help Master Jedi. My appointed # is 115065075 and I will check in at 7pm on Monday”

“It's after 7pm did I miss the ICQ thing?”

“OK, sorry everyone, I meant AFTER Monday (4/16) I'd be avail. Went out all weekend, did a little quick email Sun nite, Monday nights are Troop Meetings (I'm a Scoutmaster, kinda hafta be there if possible). NOW I'm avail the rest of the week. Name your time/place & I'll be there.

Obi...did Mitchell Canyon Trail at Mt Diablo on Sat, spent Easter Sun with family. About 7.5 miles RT, but with almost 2000 ft elevation gain, then 2000 ft decrease coming back down...my legs hurt!!”

“Another beautiful hike besides Echo is "Twin and Island Lakes. It takes 2 days and is rated a 3 for difficulty on a scale of 1-5, and a 10 on a scale of 1-10 for beauty. Downfall, it's a popular trail during the summer.

This is from my California hiking book. Echo is also spectacular from my books description.”

“LH you're correct. I've been to Twin & Island lakes, GREAT hikes, especially Island. As far as I'm concerned, everything in Desolation Valley is a "10", which is why it's popular, and which is also why we should go now...beat the crowds! Oh, did I mention, by going early we run the risk of getting snowed in, or unable to cross a pass until spring ...but then, most of the Donner party survived, didn't they? HAHAHAHA”

“We'll have to draw straws if it comes to that. Heh. So when are we going to have a group discussion on this trip?”

“How's Thursday night, 7:00 PST work for everyone for ICQ call?”

“Good for me!
38107863”

“Count me in, too! It goes into my Palm!

But... I'm on tonight, too...”

“Thursday at 7 sounds good for me. 115065075”

“Oops. Never mind. Gotta work.”

“Here's a few pics of the Wrights Lake Trailhead area and a couple trails into the backcountry from there including Island Lk mentioned earlier in this thread.”

“I'll have to set up ICQ again since I reformatted my hard drive here at work and at home. I should be able to chat then, tho. Will post a # later...”

“Dunk, I love that picture of Wrights Lake with the fire trees. It's a beauty.”

“Thanx, LH, have you checked out the Pt. Reyes map and pictures I sent to your correct E address? I sent my ph # too so y'all can call and get the 28th planned.”

“Just posting to keep this thread alive... I'm still planning for it... who else is?”

“I work nights now, so I can't make the ICQ roundups, but please count me in.”

“We're definitely in (includes wanderer Jr.). Not posting much lately & missed ICQ calls due to work...all the more reason I need to get away!!”

“I'm still in! I will be having foot surgery next Wednesday, but will be back in action by that weekend.”

“Yo! I'm in! We should try and have an ICQ chat as we get closer to the date to set up meeting time/location, rides, etc.

Stay in touch....”

“Touch WHAT?”