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2020 preparations

PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 9:25 am
by balzaccom
Yes, we know it's still 2019, but that hasn't stopped us from getting ready for next year.

We've already got our CDF campfire permit, available on-line after you watch a video and take a short quiz. You need one of these permits anytime you are going to have a fire outside your house--including a camp stove on a backpacking trip.

And a fishing license is now on its way as well, direct from the California Wildlife website. (Be a little careful here, as there is an ad for CA fishing licenses at the top of most Google searches. That's a private company that charges a few dollars more...)

And yes, we're also working on campground and backpacking reservations for a couple of our trips this summer.

So not only are we prepared--we're really getting excited about our hiking plans for 2020!

Re: 2020 preparations

PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:26 pm
by AlmostThere
I'm going backpacking tomorrow and have reservations for backcountry camps in the Santa Cruz Mountains for February, so I'm right there with you. Hope you are having a most excellent holiday season!

Re: 2020 preparations

PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 6:15 pm
by balzaccom
Excellent! We're looking at March in Death Valley....

Re: 2020 preparations

PostPosted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 12:00 pm
by zona32
Starting to prepare for 2020 and wondering if you have hiked Waterwheels in late May? Is that too early/soon?

Re: 2020 preparations

PostPosted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 7:15 pm
by balzaccom
It all depends on what happens between now and then. In a normal snow year there is no way you are going to get out onto Tioga Road in May. It usually opens in June. And hiking in from far below at Hetch-hetchy is probably more than you are up to tackling. So yes, in most years, May is too early for Waterwheel Falls...

Re: 2020 preparations

PostPosted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 7:34 pm
by zona32
Thanks, that's great to know!

Re: 2020 preparations

PostPosted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 9:02 am
by Phil
Even in June, you're likely to get a lot of high water and flooding along the trail. Definitely anywhere downriver from Waterwheel, and then also above Glen Aulin, at Glen Aulin in the form of Conness Creek, and again down at Glen Aulin proper from about Wildcat Creek to just above California Falls. They often close the trail, but even if not, it's a messy and muddy slog. Later June is usually slightly past absolute peak flows, but also a lot more user friendly.

Re: 2020 preparations

PostPosted: Fri Jan 24, 2020 1:58 pm
by BirdMan32
Looking forward to and making plans for the outdoor season to come is half the fun of it! I've just acquired a new propane stove over the holidays and can't wait to get out there to use it. What should I cook up next? A bowl of chili? Pull out some MRE's from the stockpile? So many choices. One thing I do still need to do is replace the filter on my water pump, but I'm sure I'll get to that eventually. I don't ever want to be out there without a source of water for sure.