Dana Meadows/Parker Pass

[bbmq]

I was wondering what the camping options are when heading over Parker and Koip Passes and on to Ansel Adams in early September. Are there any good places to camp between Dana Meadows and Alger Lakes?

I read somewhere that it's about 8.5 miles from Lower Sardine Lake to Algers Lakes. If that's the case then is that the best option to stay the first two nights? I don't necessarily want to stop at Lower Sardine and would prefer to head toward Parker Pass but am not sure what my options would be. I would also imagine that it would be a fairly difficult 8.5 miles as I'm climbing over two significant passes.

Does anyone have any experience doing this trail? Also, what kind of weather can I expect at that time of year and at that type of elevation?

[hiker97]

My only resource would be the recommendations from "Sierra North" published by Wilderness Press. Their day one recommendation is 5.5 miles from the Mono Pass Trailhead to Parker Creek, where there are some Spartan scenic campsites between the trail and small ponds. I have no experience on this trail but it is on my wish list for future! If you go, please post a trip report if you can.

[bill-e-g]

ok, here is my experience with that area.

Only been in there twice, once dayhiking all the lower lakes and
to Mono and Parker Pass. It's a beautiful area.

The second time we camped with LNT principles just after Mono Pass.
You can camp there but cannot have fires (which we never do).
If you HAVE to have a fire you need to go to Lower Sardine.
So the second time we hiked to Mono Pass then dropped our gear
and then hiked up Mammoth, along Kuna Ridge, down to
Bingaman, Spillway, then back to Mono Pass. Next day hiked out and
drove home.
So... It all depends what you want to do. I would recommend camping
at Mono and exploring some in that basin. Next day go over
Parker and look around for a spot you like. You could probably
make it to Algers. 500 ft. to Parker. 1500 ft. to the other Pass.
You can camp at Summit Lake too. It's a busy area. Both times
there have been people there. (We camped in some woods JUST
below Summit Lake)

Have fun.

[bill-e-g]

Was actually searching the web for an old trail from Gaylor TH to Mono TH
and this came up.

Anyway, we just did this route.
Day 1 was to largest Alger
(if you have only 1 tent you could camp just below Koip Pk Pass)
Day 2 was to 1000 Island
Day 3 was xcountry to Marie
Day 4 was to bench below the lakes on Maclure Crk
Day 5 was down Lyell canyon then hike back to car

Beautiful

Here's some pix:
http://picasaweb.google.com/yosemite.ch ... kerDonahue

[bbmq]

Wow, bill-e-g, those are amazing shots, but I'm also glad I'm not doing that hike until September. It will be more snow-free and a blast!

[zoeylefty]

Great pics...We are doing the same trip starting July 26. Do you have any other info on the trip?

How was the off trail between 1000 island lake and marie?
Ice axe and/or crampons needed?
Bear issues?
Skeeters?
river crossings?

This is our first trip to Yosemite, but have done a lot of backpacking and some mountaineering.

Thanks.

[dan]

How was the off trail between 1000 island lake and marie?
Ice axe and/or crampons needed?
Bear issues?
Skeeters?
river crossings?
This is our first trip to Yosemite, but have done a lot of backpacking and some mountaineering.

I was in the area 4th of July weekend, although not at 1000 Island Lake. There was snow above 11000 feet. Below was clear with a few patches. The stuff is melting FAST, so by July 26th you'll be fine!

If you went now, you need some route finding skills as the higher passes are covered. No ice axe or crampons needed though. No skeeters, but they are coming later in July! River crossings are hard for major streams.

[bill-e-g]

Depending on aspect there was a lot of snow above 10K.

Only reason you'd need ice axe and crampons on July 26
is if you were going to go up Banner or other peaks.

Bear cans are required in that area (although not at Algers).
Only saw one sign of bear (scat). Didn't see any bear prints in the snow.
Once you are in Lyell Canyon you better have a can.

Didn't see any mosquitos ... pure joy! You won't be so luck end of July.

The xcountry from 1000 to Marie to Donahue was a joy even with
the sun cup dancing. Very open. Not a lot of boulder hoping.
Highly recommend the route we took.
As for stream crossings... if you go the way we did... no issues at all.
(although we didn't have to hike upstream due to snow bridges)

If you do go to Marie... please post a pix. I'd like to see it.
Definitely want to go back later in the year sometime.

Have fun

[zoeylefty]

thanks for the info and I will bring some deet

[jfr]

I'm doing nearly the same route in early August, so I greatly appreciate the TR and pictures. Nice shots! Hopefully most of the snow will be melted by then, but it looks as though I'll still need the DEET.

But I have a question: My permit reservation states that I must camp just outside the National Park boundary in Mono Pass. (I originally stated on my permit application that I wanted to camp just outside the park in Parker Pass.)

I've looked everywhere, but I can't find a rule/regulation stating that I can't camp in Parker Pass within the Ansel Adams Wilderness. (Unless I have a dog, as the bighorn sheep don't like them; that's the only rule pertaining to Parker Pass that I could find). I'll stay in Mono Pass if I have to, but I wanted to get a bit closer to Koip Pass that first day, to make things easier...

Any ideas on where I might find that regulation?

[bill-e-g]

You just have to be outside the park and start at the Mono Pass TH.

This is the golden map IMO. Follow the arrow for your TH and that's
the first location you can camp if you are staying on the trail.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/u ... eadmap.pdf

So, yes, just get beyond Parker Pass and you'll be fine.

Have fun

[jfr]

Thanks for the quick response!

I used google with site-specific search criteria for both the Inyo NF and YNP. I checked every single result link and found nothing. I even checked the Yosemite Association's website, as they are the ones that issue the permit reservations.

I'm still wondering why they specified Mono Pass on my reservation. Oh well. I'll find out the real truth when I show up at the wilderness center for my actual permit.

Oh, I also sent a question on YNP's "contact us" page. I'll reply here with their final, definitive answer.

No matter what happens, I'm going to have a great trip! I'll post a link to my pics sometime mid-late August. We'll see how much snow is left!

[bill-e-g]

Mono Pass is the Trailhead Name

You will see it on the Road Sign before you turn in.
And also on the Map at the start of the trailhead itself.

Your permit will say Mono/Parker Pass.

Again, you need to be outside the Parker Pass Creek Watershed.
Period. If they say anything else they are mistaken.
Actually if they do then you should tell them that the
"Sierra North" book is leading everyone over Parker Pass on day 1.

Anyway, have fun

[jfr]

Well, I heard back from the YNP website's "contact us" page: They said "You can camp at Parker Pass, also."

Excellent! Can't wait to get up there for an extended trip!

[bbmq]

I finally did this hike over Labor Day weekend. I had to change my plans because the YARTS shuttle didn't show up in Mammoth Lakes - engine trouble. So instead of shuttling to Mono/Dana Meadows and hiking back I had to do an out-and-back to Koip Pass. This was also due to a limit in time and the fact that YARTS was only running on weekends in September.

My permit reservation also stated I was required to camp outside of Mono Pass but that just means 'if' you end up there. I agree with bill-e-g, though, that they should instruct you to camp beyond Mono Pass only if you head in that direction, but heading to Parker Pass should be the preferred way to go.

I got a late start on Day 1 due to the shuttle mixup and decided not to go up Koip Pass that day so I camped a little beyond Parker Pass, like Sierra North recommends. There is definitely enough creeks and ponds and glacier runoff to make for more than adequate camping.

On the 2nd day I hiked up to Koip Pass and was treated to just amazing views. This is a far less traveled route than Lyell and may become more of a regular thing for me. The switchbacks heading up to Koip were hairy as there was a significant wind whipping through that day, Man, that made me stop and think a few times, but otherwise this is a hike not to be missed.

Since I was only able to do an out-and-back I headed to Mono Pass for the 2nd night. I had only stayed at Lower Sardine Lake in this area before but got a recommendation to stay beyond Summit Lake to the right. There were some really nice sites there with good blocking of the wind, I highly recommend this as a first or last night place to stay. I also think it's wise to acclimate yourself to the altitude before you start as the TH is 9600 ft, PP is 11,100 ft. and KP is 12,200 ft.