Postby sturdyoak2012 » Thu Jan 18, 2018 6:12 am AlmostThere wrote:
Phil wrote:
One way for both of you to do it might be to split the group and stagger trailhead departure dates by a day. Maybe take the slower group out on day-one, give them an overnight rest not too far out, then have the second group rendezvous at that location, then everyone move together. I know you guys usually bring at least a couple/few adults, so two "trip leaders", two permits with the correct number of people on each. If you stay kosher, there's no rule that says you can't all walk together, as long as the paperwork is in order.
Yes, there are rules that say otherwise -- the general rule is that the groups hike and camp at least 1/4 mile apart. Some jurisdictions require more than 1/4 mile.
I asked about this one while getting a permit in a national forest. The rangers get really, really pissed when boy scout troops get two separate permits and hike huge groups through the wilderness.
Yes, this is (painfully) correct. One year, we had two crews of 12-15 people camping at the same lake @ Emigrant. It was pretty obvious that we were together, and a ranger came and fined us >100 dollars. That was my first trip four years ago, and I've definitely learned since...
Postby Phil » Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:49 pm sturdyoak2012 wrote:
Yes, this is (painfully) correct. One year, we had two crews of 12-15 people camping at the same lake @ Emigrant. It was pretty obvious that we were together, and a ranger came and fined us >100 dollars. That was my first trip four years ago, and I've definitely learned since...
Yeah, but Sculpin was originally talking about a single group of 10-12 people, still below that max of 15. You guys blew the lid off that and had a regular jamboree. It's too bad you found out about it the hard way, but for that many people, $100 is more like a bit of unforeseen per person overhead than a fine. You probably spent more on the post-trip pizza stop. But hey, just as here in my case, we all live and learn, and some lessons cost more than others.
Postby AlmostThere » Thu Jan 18, 2018 3:10 pmYou are also, in Sierra National Forest, supposed to throw fish guts in the trees.
I don't make this stuff up, by the way.
Postby AlmostThere » Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:36 pmSo here is my apology to Phil - I have been involved in several threads in a couple places lately about large groups and LNT, and I got my wires crossed, responding here as if you are talking about a much larger group.
Still, more than 5-6 is a large group when it comes to wilderness (some say 4 is ideal - one to stay with the injured person, two to go for help, no one is left alone which helps decrease the likelihood of panicked thinking taking over). If I were taking a group of 10-12, which I actually have done in the past, I would go to Big Basin State Park, Henry Coe State Park, Point Reyes hike in camps -- if your mind is set on Yosemite I would submit for a permit from a trailhead with a large quota and if denied I would call the wilderness office and talk to someone about recommendations. Doing the Skyline to Sea has become my go to for huge groups - they are happy to help facilitate it and it's a great place to get your feet wet if you are new to backpacking. Henry Coe's limit is I think 12 people. The terrain is open and beyond a certain radius of the park headquarters it's dispersed camping. Permits are dead stupid simple. Show up and pay the fees and fill out a form.