by Phil » Thu Apr 27, 2017 4:42 pm
They did a lot of work on the road down to Tamarack Flat last year, so once it does open (and it will be open and accessible for any type of vehicle by the time you go), try to get your reservation for there. A campground, bear lockers, better parking, and only about 2.2 miles to your trail junction to start the rim trail at Cascade Creek. Big Oak Flat is barely a shoulder on the road across from Foresta, and frankly, burned out, brushy, hot and exposed, uphill, and kind of ugly on the first leg of the first couple miles until you hit the trees. In fact, I've never even seen anyone actually parked there or request a shuttle stop...assuming the bus would even have the room. The only thing is with Tamarack is that you're going to have to hoof it or hitch the several miles down from Tioga Rd when you want to get back to the car because the shuttle doesn't go down there...but, there is always the option of parking on Tioga Rd (plenty of room and lockers) and adding 2.5 trail miles to your walk if you want to hop right off the bus and get in the car when you're done...same permit though.