I talked the family into a 3 night 4 day backpack trip!

[burtonator]

> Day 2 - Hike up to Evelyn Lake - Camp there? Maybe farther if not too difficult?

This hike is going to be too much for day two if it's the FIRST time they've done this.

The major problem is that the hike up to Evelyn has NO place really to stop and camp should they burn out and not be able to go any longer.

You essentially have to get up 2k feet or so in one day. It's also all really steep and switch backs.

You COULD brace them ahead of time for this. Maybe even do this on day 3 and let them chill out by the river a the bottom and play for a day to adjust.

It's VERY open and exposed on top and there were a lot of mosquitoes last year. YMMV this year. There might even be too much snow.

My advice is to find a beginning to moderate hike for the first time and avoid the more complicated elevation gain.

There is also the issue of altitude acclimation which is going to make it harder for the kids.

[davidlboss]

Well we are back from successful and great trip! I got her not to bring the bear spray. That was easier to do when we found out that they are actually prohibited. Firearms are allowed but repellant is not, I don't get that one, but I wouldn't want to bring either anyways.

Between the reports of the climb and the snow we decided to just hike up Lyell canyon and stay 2 nights and hike back. Our 10 year old took alot of breaks but we made it. The mosquitos bugged us pretty good but the scenery made up for it!

Thanks everyone for their input, it helped alot in my planning.

[guyd]

Good news it went well!

You might want to have your girlfriend read my wife's first Bpacking experience trip report for your next trip. Hope its helps.

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-r ... 98234.html
or
http://www.highsierratopix.com/communit ... f=1&t=6848

[rick56]

(Firearms are allowed but repellant is not, I don't get that one, but I wouldn't want to bring either anyways.)
Going into bear country with no way to protect yourself, your wife and kids is foolish. But you certainly
have the right to offer up your body as a meal for a bear. And I have the right to protect my life and my
families from them and anyone else.

[AlmostThere]

(Firearms are allowed but repellant is not, I don't get that one, but I wouldn't want to bring either anyways.)
Going into bear country with no way to protect yourself, your wife and kids is foolish. But you certainly
have the right to offer up your body as a meal for a bear. And I have the right to protect my life and my
families from them and anyone else.

As if.

There have been no bear attacks or bear related deaths in Yosemite, ever.

Please keep your paranoia at home so the rest of us can feel safe. Or, go to Alaska, where your fears won't be totally misplaced.

What kills people in Yosemite is themselves - underestimating the current in the river, falling off rocks they shouldn't climb, and neglecting the basics of wilderness safety. Animal related deaths don't even rate the top ten reasons people die there - poor health, rocks and water, car accidents, or the usual things people die of, are at the top of the list.