Adding an extra day on the permit?

[atomicmonkey]

In August, I have a permit to hike from White Wolf to Tuolumne Meadows, The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne.
When I applied for my permit, they gave me exactly what I asked for, three days! I am now wondering if that is enough.

Last summer, we, my wife and 8 year old son did TM to YV via Fletcher Creek in three days. We did just fine, but by the time we got to the back packer's camp on the valley floor, we probably could not have done another inch (thank God for the ice cream stand near Happy Isles!)

First, do you think going in this direction, three days is enough? It's not that I wouldn't love to take more time and smell the flowers, it's just that bloody work thing getting in the way of having fun with the family!

Second, are there enough places to camp to spread out the trip to four easier days? Last summer I had a very hard time finding a good place to camp within several miles of Bunnell Rapids as the sun was setting. I can't help think that this years trip might be like that area. (the camp we finally found ended up being the best I have ever had!)

Third, what is the procedure for adding a day to the permit? Or, what if I start out trying to do it in three days but we can't, will that anger the Rangers?

Thanks for the help!

[AlmostThere]

What the rangers worry about most is the entry date on the permit. If you take an extra day to exit, I don't think it would be an issue. I would call and ask about it - they get questions like this all the time.

I did the GCT in two days, four hours (we camped the last night at Morrison Creek and then I slowpoked back to White Wolf the last morning). Three days would have been leisurely for me, however, it all depends on the miles you are willing to do.

There are campsites near Waterwheel, and here and there all the way down. I would try to get an early start and get above Pate if going that direction. A bit of a push, but then you can slow down as you hike up the canyon and spend your second night halfway up. Your last place to spend the night will be Glen Aulin as I think there is no camping beyond the HSC on the way out to Tioga Rd.

[bill-e-g]

The answer is that the exit date does not matter. You can add a day or subtract a day.
No reason to call. When you get your permit simply state that you want to take 4 days.
They will change your permit. If they don't or you simply forget then don't worry about it.
You do not have to exit the trailhead on your permit nor the exit
date on your permit. If you are stopped by a ranger just tell them what you did and
they will say "cool". I do it alot. Just did it last weekend...
For you, since you said you were dirt tired on the 3rd day of an almost all downhill hike...
just allocate 4 days. And then do it in 3. No need to hurry.
And don't worry about what anyone else has done it in. Many have dayhiked the whole thing.
If you found a nice campsite in Lost Valley then you will have no problem in GCT.

Have fun

[bill-e-g]

btw... if 4 days... then if you are really spry... you could even go up to Youngs
on the last night... and exit Dog (tired) again
But I'd explore Pate and enjoy the GCT falls leisurely.
Have fun

[balzaccom]

I agree with Bill....and your original post indicates that you're hiking with a child? Give that kid a chance to rest from time to time, and to play in the water. There is no need to hurry, and Death Marches are great ways to convince kids that backpacking is no fun.

Of course, in a couple of years he will be leaving you completely in the dust. That's the time to add weight to his pack, and make him carry the tent!

[atomicmonkey]

Thanks for the great info on the permit.

Thanks to your posts, I think I have talked myself into adding one extra day. I think we will have an off day playing around some undetermined nice place along the way. The fun of finding this place has got me really excited!

As far as our nine year old son, my wife and I usually are eating his dust!! Per his request for this years vacation to the Sierra, the first two days at Mammoth mountain biking, four days in Yosemite back packing then meeting his sailboat racing team at Huntington Lake for the High Sierra Regatta. My wife and I will need a vacation to recover from his vacation, just like last year!!

Thanks again,
I am counting down the minutes!

[AlmostThere]

Hikes I have been on with folks and their kids, we've usually been looking at the back of their pack...

I had one group where a lady brought her ten year old. He whined and dragged heels up the trail, but the minute we struck out cross country he thought it was the most awesome thing ever, he was leaping over fallen trees and bouncing through boggy meadows full of blueberry bushes, leaving the stodgy old complainer adults to figure out how to get the mud out of their Goretex shoes. It just depends on the kid.

I was a backpacking kid. The only time i whined was the meadow in the Emigrant where the mosquitoes rose out of the grass and descended on us like the 1,000,000 little hellbirds to suck the life out of us... I think we set a land speed record for backpackers trying to get across and up into granite. There are times when there is not enough DEET.

[orion]

A note about bringing a kid up the Tuolumne: that's a big river, and even when it is running relatively calmly it is important to be careful about your entry and exit points. The grante around the river has been weathered very smooth, and a piece of rough grippy granite you are walking down to the water can turn as slick as ice near the water, especially if wet. I guess that advice could go for adults too.

[atomicmonkey]

Thanks orion!
Last summer we were on the mist trail the day after three people went over Vernal Falls. It really made us stop and think how serious the water in the Sierra can be.