HELP NEEDED from Nor Cal TT'rs

“Had permit reservations for Hetch Hetchy Trail this weekend, was taking the scouts. Just found out that the park superintendant has CLOSED the trail due to a problem bear, he's been bluff-charging people & is apparently VERY aggressive.

I need to come up with another destination very quickly, there are 11 of us in total. Getting last-minute permits for Desolation Wilderness is probably risky, does anyone have any ideas for a friday nite - saturday - sunday BP trip in the Sierra's, maybe part of the PCT, etc? 6 - 8 miles / day would be ideal. We're planning on leaving Sacramento Fri nite, camp at elevation & hiking Sat & Sun.

Any good trails out of Loon Lake area? Dunk -Rockbuck, I know yopu guys have been up there - any suggestions?”

“A slight clarification... the BEAR has been bluff-charging the hikers, NOT the park superintendant.

Thanks for any suggestions!”

“Lots of possible trips out of Tuolumne. Camp at the Meadows Friday night, get to the permit office at the crack of dawn, and you're sure to get something excellent. Glen Aulin, Cathedral/Sunrise, Lyell Canyon, Young Lakes, Ten Lakes, then possibilities are endless!”

“I didn't know if this was for North Carolina or North California.”

“Wanderer,
Check out the Emigrant Wilderness, Hwy 108 East of Sonora. See link titled Emigrant Wilderness.”

“TM is iffy on a Saturday morning for a larger group but if you have a bunch of alternates it's probably doable.”

“I agree with Baso4, check out Emigrant, perhaps Kenedy Lk. or head to the east side of Sonora Pass and hike up the W. Walker River where there are plenty of lakes to visit and camp at.”

“Well, I guess I'll let Wanderer into MY wilderness. Don't freak out when I come running into your camp asking for dinner!”

“Pantscandy, our deal is that the scouts cook for the adults. If you're up for a scout-cooked dinner, you're more than welcome to jopin us...however...I have a lot of stories about what a 13-14-15 yo male thinks is a "good" dinner. Differs just slightly from what a normal, sane person thinks! ROTFLMAO”

“LOL, I her'dat wanderer!

WD whatever you be smokin ovair, I'll take a draw ;)”

“Ah, Wanderer, I'd love to go if I were still out there. And I've always wanted to go to Emigrant. Have fun!”

“Wanderer, sorry it's took so long but I've been under the weather for some reason and haven't been checking in.

Have you tried to call for reservation in DW? Might be worth a shot if you're going in on Friday. You only need to get in and stay at a designated spot the first night and then you're free to roam. The Rockbound trail would give you that 6-8 mile daily goal.

Also check out the nearby Mokelumne Wilderness. I've done 4X4 in that area and it is nice, unfortunatly I've never hiked that are. BP magazine has an article on hike near the East Fork Carson that I want to look into because I know that river has good fishing (as does the W. Walker mentioned above).

If you're still planning later this afternoon when I get home I'll bust out my map and try and help you come up with something.

Sorry I can't pull something right off the top of my head but the 6-8 mile thing kind of has me stumped, my trips are kind planned around the fishing spots.

http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/ltbmu/graphics/visitor_center/recreation/summer/wilderness/desolation.html”

“A nice trip is in the region of Cathedral peak, on the way up to Tioga Pass, as I recall. Our goal was to camp below the peak so we could climb it, but it was nice country and not terribly hard to hike in. How about something out of Bridgeport? Is that too far?”

“If Bridgeport is not too far, there is an incredible trip out of the Green Creek Trailhead and you can drop into the Yosemite Backcountry.”

“Thanks to all for the feedback. We're prolly heading up to Wright's Lake TH, then up past Barrett Lake to wherever....Been up there a couple times before, you're skirting DW so no permits required!”

“OK - I know it is late but I wasn't able to sign on yesterday.

How about Lassen? It seems like one of the most underused parks in California. I can't help with specific trips but I like that area much better than DW what with all the cool geological stuff and what not. And 'way fewer people.”