by Phil » Sun Aug 19, 2018 9:03 pm
Okay, so as is obvious, car = freedom. I know that renting a car is expensive, especially when you think about it just worthlessly sitting there for the better part of 10 days. I'll explain the car/no car options shortly.
AT is by far more traveled and versed in the Sierras than I am. She's just closer and out there more. There's a strong case to be made for destinations east of Yosemite in that it's different geologically and in terms of elevations...soaring and profound would be a good way to describe it...something that you'll understand more when you've spent some time in it. What we've both largely evolved towards is more cross country to find what we're looking for...and we like granite. It's kind of a combination of backpacking and mountaineering. But, as for granite, if it's not reflecting 120 degree temps, I'll walk it for days and be happy. It's just rugged, cool, and how I personally have come to think of my type of wilderness.
Anyhow, with a few exceptions, your already planned route is good, where it fell apart is in original expectations, and that it's a lot of great smaller trips all thrown into one, which, in my opinion, not only takes the joy out of it, it's going to destroy you. You might be 33, but you haven't hiked in 15 years, certainly not at altitude, and, if you're carrying everything for the entire trip at once, I would imagine that your pack weight is going to be bordering on 40-50 lbs. Screw that! I just don't get this thing with the Falls Trail. You'll spend roughly two days doing it, and then you'll pay for it the next six or seven. It will color your performance and burn you out for more and better. In this forum, you'll see a couple threads by Tyler200. I worked with him both here, via email, and even by text and on the phone, even when he was literally on the trail. I spoke to him today, in fact. As an extra aside trip, he ended up doing the Falls Trail the last couple days of his time out. I'll quote: " It was shit ton of elevation." Forget it, it's not worth it...drive or take the bus. If you want to see it when it's worth it (and it is when it's blasting) come back again in May or June and see it at peak!! Of this entire trip, at the time of year you want to do it, it is definitely the first and foremost part I would recommend you get rid of. Which now leads to the car issue.
With a car, you have freedom; no buses, shuttles, come and go as you please...but, you only need it for part of your trip. How you do it is up to you. I wouldn't bother if it was me. However, without the car, there's going to be some relying on a marginal shuttle system with scheduling restrictions, and, there's a part of what I'm going to propose that's possibly going to require you to hitchhike with two people. That has mixed results at times. YMMV.
Here's what I think:
First, junk that Falls Trail nonsense. You know why I think this.
Secondly, today, go online and reserve a permit for two up to Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail on the 4th if you have a car, or the 5th if you're taking YARTS to the Valley. If you have a car, drive up to Tuolumne, park, hike. If no car, pick up your reserved permit at the Valley wilderness center, reserve a couple spots on the hikers shuttle at the visitors center, get over to the backpackers campground at North Pines, set up and dump your gear, spend the rest of the day and night in the Valley playing tourist...be sure you don't miss your shuttle in the morning.
I'm thinking Young Lakes first for a few reasons: 1) it's easily accessible by car or bus, 2) It's bite-sized and a good primer to hiking and altitude, 3) It's lovely and will get you exited rather than exhausted, 4) You can throw all but the food you need for that short time in one of the lockers at the trailhead and go in probably 10-12 lbs lighter than you would've been able to otherwise if it was mid-trip. Spend a day or two up there. Day hike. Move camps from lower to upper if you want to.
Next, come down and get a walk-up permit for Rafferty Creek. If that's not available, get Lyell Canyon. With both, your goal is to do a Vogelsang area loop and end up back at Tuolumne. With Rafferty Creek, camp the first night at Boothe Lake. With Lyell, first night at Ireland Creek. From there, head up over Vogelsang Pass and spend that next night at Bernice Lake. You'll now see the beauty of granite and get a glimpse of what the Pacific Crest is about, but with enough trees to likely find some shade for your tent, as well as not a lot of people. Whichever way you go, on the way back to Tuolumne, reverse the order of your route. Plan on three days, maybe four for this leg.
Part II to follow....
Last edited by
Phil on Sun Aug 19, 2018 9:19 pm, edited 2 times in total.