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[Yosemite]

Mount Conness Area

Hiking, backpacking, running, biking, climbing, rafting, and other human-powered activities in Yosemite National Park

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Mount Conness Area

Postby dsrobison » Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:22 pm

Hey all,

I'm backpacking for several nights and got a suggestion for a route from a local outfitter. I need help with one of the routes they suggested, though. From Saddlebag Lake, he said to head towards Hall Pass - which he said is just south of Conness - and then down to Young Lakes. On my map I see a pass just north of White Mountain (and south of Conness), but I haven't read anything about it. Can anyone help me with this? What's the best way to get across to Young Lakes if I'm coming from Saddlebag?

Thanks,
Scot
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Postby bill-e-g » Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:20 am

Best way? I think that is up to your interpretation.

What is your goal? i.e. What do you REALLY want to do?

You COULD go that way... or you COULD go thru Secret Lake Pass to
Upper McCabe and the over "Don't be a Smart Pass" to Roosevelt
and the over to Young.
OR you could just take the trail from TM.

It's all about what you want to do and what you have done already
and what you like and what you don't like and what you are
comfortable with.

You could even go from TM to Lower McCabe to Middle then over to
Roosevelt and then over to Young.

What IS this local outfitter anyway?
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Postby dsrobison » Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:33 am

I was just trying to find a non technical way over to Young Lakes without going to the north of Conness. I guess I could go to Gaylor lakes and then to the south of white mountain and around ragged peak. I just found an outfitter in Oakhurst since it's right outside the park and asked them if what I was planning to do was within my capabilities. I didn't want to do any climbing.
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Postby bill-e-g » Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:41 am

I don't think "Hall Pass" is techincal. I can throw up a couple of
pictures of both sides if you want. (I haven't been thru the pass itself
though) Done most of the other passes. Just looking at the picts
I have taken and at Google Earth it doesn't look bad.
It just looks like scree at the crest and looks do-able.
I really think the Secret Lake/ Don't be a Smart Pass/ Hall Pass would
be a great loop. I'll probably do it someday.

Look on Google Earth. But sometimes it just really hard to tell.
Secor doesn't even mention this pass in the Sierra Peaks, etc. book
but it looks pretty easy IMO.
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Postby dsrobison » Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:31 am

Thanks for the help - I'd like to do Hall Pass. If you get a chance I'd love to see the pictures you were talking about - I just looked at it on google earth and the west side of the pass definitely looks fine. It's the east side that will be more challenging. Thanks again!
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Postby bill-e-g » Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:38 pm

Ok. You know what you are getting yourself into.

The best I got is this:
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.dekeyser/MoreJunk

Only been up Conness the one time two years ago...

Please let me know how it goes / if you do something else or whatnot.
I take it you know that you are not allowed to camp overnight in
the Hall Research Area and must therefore be in Yosemite a bit
in order to sleep overnight. No issues dayhiking the area tho.

Have fun
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Postby dsrobison » Sat Aug 15, 2009 12:19 am

Just got done with the trip - here's what I decided to do:

Started at Tioga Pass on the trail and then went down to Lower Gaylor Lake. From there we headed west, hugging the higher elevation on our right side. We camped by a stream about a mile east of Delaney Creek. Next day we crossed Delaney Creek where it opens up into a meadow (very beautiful) and then headed WNW towards the pass that leads into where Dingley Creek originates. That pass is stunning by the way, with great views of Ragged Peak to the north and views of the Cathedrals to the south. From there we crossed Dingley Creek and went through the pass just east of Ragged Peak. We camped a little ways away from the western-most Young Lake. Then we went on to Roosevelt and spent a night there. Going from Roosevelt to Young Lakes or vice versa, the best route by far is to contour around to the east instead of descending all the way down into the valley. We did both and the contouring route was much easier and a lot more scenic. To get back, we went back to Young Lakes and picked up the Dog Lake trail and made it back to Tuolumne where we caught the shuttle back to our car at Tioga Pass. It was an awesome first experience in Yosemite and I highly recommend this route!!!
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Postby bill-e-g » Sat Aug 15, 2009 9:10 am

Your first night, to my understanding, was illegal.
Maybe I'm wrong about this so can you tell me if you detailed where
you were going to camp your first night when you got your permit?
I thought that you had to be north of Ragged Peak or outside the park
and south of Hall Research Area to be legal.
Skeleton Lakes has been on my short list so please let me know, thanks.
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Postby dsrobison » Mon Aug 17, 2009 7:46 am

Yeah I didn't realize our first night is not allowed. My original plan was to make it to Young Lakes by the first night. I just looked it up and the rule is 4 miles from Tuolumne Meadows right? Or is it 4 miles from Tioga Road? One of the 3 people in my group got really beat down by the altitude - no way he was making it to Young Lakes. I should have planned better for that. Tioga Pass --> Young Lakes is definitely doable though. If you have any questions about that particular route from Tioga to Young let me know.
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