Phil wrote:I don't understand why you would want to rush through such a scenic area in a day. To answer your question though: Agnew Pass>PCT>Thousand Island Lake. Your route is over 20 miles, and 2.5 mph is fine if you're good with the altitude, which will hit over 11k ft in a couple places, not to mention the heat and how you deal with it. And unless you live at altitudes like that, who can say how any one particular day is going to be where how you handle it might be good, might not? Add to that the consideration that it's not unlikely that you're going to get into some afternoon thunderstorms and not only need more gear than what a day pack might hold, but may need to hunker down for safety, I wouldn't bet my life on making that hike in a day, especially going south to north. You get in far enough, and you have nowhere to bail out unless you're carrying it.
This is valuable information and I appreciate your response...this is exactly the type of feedback I'm looking for.
And you if you want to understand, simply ask and I'll tell
I have never backpacked overnight, anywhere. I'm a dayhiker by preference, for a number of reasons -- primarily because I like to pack light, hike fast, and be rewarded with a hard day's hike by sleeping in a bed. It certainly doesn't mean I don't or can't appreciate my time in the wilderness.
Having said that, weather and altitude are certainly factors I will keep into close consideration.
I may just explore more reasonably distanced locations out of Rush Creek, then just drive up to Tuolumne another day and make that my home base, and the same with Agnew Meadows.
There is a TON of trail between Tuolumne and Agnew...anyone have some absolute favorite spots in terms of peace, quiet, or beauty?