GCT timing

[holz]

Hi folks,

Myself and a friend (and perhaps my 11 yr old daughter) are planning to do the White Wolf and up route in 5 - 6 days.

I did this last year, but it was in mid-July and the water was really pretty tame. We want to see it when it is really raging, but of course passable.

We were thinking early June. Does that sound reasonable?

Also, how exposed is the trail coming down from WW? My daughter isn't too fond of heights (hell, neither am I!) and I don't want to ask too much of her.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[bill-e-g]

Last year was pathetic snow year.
I was in Pate mid-June last year. That time is fine for any year
as long as 120 is open (since you are ending in TM).
The only issue would be crossing Morrison Creek. Every other crossing
has a bridge. I crossed on a log last year but that was just because
I didn't want to take my shoes off.
So that would be my only concern if it turns out to be a huge snow year
or it snow very late like it has some previous years.
Morrison is also the only issue getting into Pate. IMO there is no
exposure... so I wouldn't worry about that.

Last year I had the great idea to get to Rodgers in 1 day. Coming up
from Pate on the 75!!! switchbacks it was hotter than the bejesus
and the trail was overgrown. I threw the towel in and just stayed at
the furthest lake above the switchbacks looking into the GC.
Since you came down those babies I was wondering if a trail crew
had been thru there and cut the deadfall and shrubs growing over
the trail.

btw... did you go up Volunteer Pk?
Rodgers Meadow is just about my favorite meadow in the park!

[holz]

Hi Bill,

You were very helpful last year. Thank you!

So, would you recommend a 6/11 start or should we go earlier for the best effect? I suppose it is also worth asking (although won't much effect our decision) how bad the bugs will be. Are headnets going to be necessary?

As far as the trip down from Rogers goes, no, they hadn't cleared the trail. It was utter hell coming down those switchbacks. I was really beat at the bottom.

The trail itself really wasn't in too bad of shape. However, it was covered with deadfall and very slippery leaves. I fell a couple of times one of which bent my trekking pole. GRRRRR!!

Anyway, it wasn't a great time, but we made it. Also, to lift our spirits, four female work crew people put on quite a show in the river. They seemed to actually be hoping for spectators. . . . They had several!

[holz]

Hi Bill,

Didn't answer all of the questions and remembered something else.

The trail crew I saw (she was clothed at this point. . .) said that there weren't any plans to clear that section either. If you go there this year, I'd expect it to be poor.

We did take a layover day and go up a peak while at Rogers. We met a ranger there that claimed Rogers as her favorite place in the park and we could see why! I don't remember which peak it was, but it was a blast going up it and the view was marvelous.

I always struggle with seeing new stuff versus seeing stuff I know is great and would like to do again/spend more time doing. Very difficult decision.

[bill-e-g]

Bummer on the trail. (I went up AND down that baby)...
Actually found a cell phone sitting on a rock about 1/4 of the way
up... the person must have tried "phoning a friend"...
No other trail in the park comes close to the 75 switchbacks in a row
section... I dragged my wife up those babies about 4 years ago...
(down from WW and then up the switchbacks in 1 shot)
I still hear about it to this day...

Anyway, mid June should be sweet... Even last year Piute Creek
was screaming (you should have seen it from those switchbacks) in
mid June. There were a few mosquitos going thru Harden Gardens
last year... that was it for me.. so... hopefully they won't be
out in abundance when u go thru... early-july->mid july is THE worst...
Just bring a headnet and some mosq. dope in case...

If you have Leki hiking poles they are typ. guaranteed for life. I've
had the bottom sections of mine replace free as has a buddy of mine.

High water runoff is typ. around Mem Day to mid-June. Just a great time
to go anywhere in the park...

[holz]

Hi Dave,

I can imagine your wife would take exception to being taken down WW and up that rather impressive hill in one day. You are probably fortunate to still have her around. Funny how they all seem to really hang on to memories like that. . . .

Well, we'll head out on 6/11 as planned then. Sounds like the best time to see it at high water and also be passable.

Thanks!

[holz]

Hi everyone,

Another question. . .

Rather than head out to TM from GA, I am thinking about hanging a right and heading out to Tenaya Lake either via May Lake or directly.

This slight diversion only adds a few miles and is something I haven't seen yet. Is it worth it? It looks like there are some lakes that can be camped near about half way between ML and GA. Is that a reasonable spot?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

*starts timing Bill-e-g for his reply*

[dan]

Rather than head out to TM from GA, I am thinking about hanging a right and heading out to Tenaya Lake either via May Lake or directly.

Yeah, it's not as crowded between Glen Aulin to Tenaya Lake, but it's not my favorite. A lot of overgrown forest. I like the trail to May Lake a little better as you see Mt. Moffmann and its ridge. The trail to Tuolumne Meadows is still my favorite for scenery. Out in the open. Lots of views.

If you want to avoid people, I'll let you in on a secret. The trail on the map to Tuolumne Meadows is on the north side of the river. Take the unmarked trail on the south side of the Tuolumne River instead. Start from a footbridge that crosses a 1/4 mile or so east of GA and instead of crossing from the south to north side of the river, stay on the south side.

It's a unmaintained fisherman's trail, but obviously at one point it was an official trail (I see tree blazes along the way and even found a old sheephearders carving (from 1890 or before, before it became par of Yosemite NP).

[bill-e-g]

>starts timing Bill-e-g for his reply

Billy is in Yosemite... (ok, he WAS in Yosemite backpacking...)


Yeah, I wouldn't take Murphy Creek out. That really is mostly in
the forest.
To May Lake though is surprisingly very spectacular. When you
climb up over the ridge you'll get some really nice views
including Conness, Tuolumne Pk, and Hoffman.
After the Parking lot at May Lake the trail is actually old road but if
I recall correctly you do get a view or two of Tenaya Lake with
Cathedral in the background.

I guess you don't have enough time but the entire loop
WW->GC Tuol->Ten Lakes->WW is spectacular.
You'll end up doing alot more elevation though and have to
cross the South Fk. Cathedral...
You can hit the section you are talking about with a couple day
trip from Murphy Creek up to Tuolumne Peak (thereabout) and
then back out to Tenaya via May Lake.

[holz]

All,

Another question. . . . .

Where is the best place to stay on 6/10? Ideally, I'd like to stay up high to help acclimatize, but it doesn't look like there is anywhere that will take a reservation for that time. It isn't much more to get a room at Yosemite Falls lodge than it is just outside the park, but obviously that is much lower.

Should I just stay down in the Valley? Will I be able to camp up near Toulomne Meadows or White Wolf? Before days of grunginess, I like to stay somewhere with a shower, but am willing to camp if that seems like the best option.

Thanks again for everyone's help/advice!

[bill-e-g]

If you've arrived early enough to get your wilderness permit
you may just want to start and go into Harden Lake.
It's only 3 miles and almost entirely downhill.

There is a backpackers campground at White Wolf. I doubt you'd
get too much grief if you tried to stay there even if the
Campground is closed. But you won't have a shower.
Are there even showers at any campground other than Tuolumne and
in the Valley? I don't think so.. ??
O, yes... there are some at White Wolf but no way those will be
open that early.
And I don't think there are any at Hodgden. Only stayed there a couple
times tho so...

You coming up from 41? 140? 120?
If 120 and the permit station is closed but early enough for HH to
still be open you could consider getting permit at HH and then
staying at HH backpackers camp. No shower there either tho.