Hetch Hetchy / Rancheria Falls trail conditions?

[jishaq]

Hey gang,

I see that the Wapama Falls bridge has recently been repaired! I'm thinking of hiking to Rancheria Falls with my brother this weekend. He's on crutches so deep snow would be problematic.

Has anyone made the hike out to Rancheria Falls in the past few weeks?

Any snow on the trail?
How bad are the bugs?

And, any challenges I should be aware of in getting a wilderness permit from the Hetch Hetchy station on Saturday morning? I'm guessing FCFS permits are plentiful this time of year.

We'd probably drive up before the gate closes at 9PM this Friday, and and stay in the backpacker campsite (or in our truck) Friday night, then embark on Saturday AM after getting our permit.

Thanks!

[bill-e-g]

I'm always confused at the number of questions on this forum
as opposed to http://yosemitenews.info
The number of views here are piddly compared to there.
Probably has something to do with the cats and google.

Anyway, quickly...
Recently did a trip to Wilma and JMC.
You can find it here:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,35489

As for Ranch Falls, it'll be a zoo. The trail is free and clear.
You'll get wet at the bridge.

If you drive in before the gate closes then you'd get your permit
immediately for the next day.

Have fun

[jishaq]

Yeah, I always forget about "the other" yosemite forum. I'll make a bookmark now, thanks for the reminder. Nice pics.

Yep, I'm sure it will be a zoo, but I'm desperate for a low-elevation hike and gotta keep it snow-free for my bro.

-Jeff

[AlmostThere]

We'd probably drive up before the gate closes at 9PM this Friday, and and stay in the backpacker campsite (or in our truck) Friday night, then embark on Saturday AM after getting our permit.

Thanks!

Which backpacker camp?

You should probably reverse a couple of items - get permit, then stay in the backpacker campground. Legal that way, plus, won't have to drive all the way back up to the gate to get the permit, and all the way back down to start hiking.

[bill-e-g]

That was the MO before 9/11 when they started closing the gate
at night and issuing the parking permits at HH.
Drive up at night. Camp at backpackers campground.
Get up the next morning and drive to get the permit.
It was fine and dandy to do that then. As I said above and you
repeated... no need to do that nowadays since if you can
get thru the gate... you can get a permit.

Have a nice day