August trip to Yosemite High Camps Need Info

[Lesbert]

We were invited with friends to the Yosemite High camps after winning some spaces in the lottery for this year.
We backpacked on our own last year at Youngs Lakes and look forward to this area, but have some questions from anyone who has been up that way and particularly anyone who has used the Yosemite HIgh Camps.
Our itinerary is Sunrise first night, May Lake the second night and Glen Aulin the third night. This works well this year due to back issues with one family member (less to carry).

WE are trying to figure out what we really need to bring. For instance, will we be warm enough with sleep sacks and the YHC "wool blankets and comforters"? Can we expect to be sharing a small dorm style tent with an additional person we do not know if we are a family of three? What is the best map to use for these trails and are they well marked? Should we bring anything other than rain gear for the unscheduled afternoon storm? Do we need to hike with a small bear cannister for lunch food and bars?

Does anyone know if there is water in the Tuolomne River? We've heard it's a very dry year compared to last.

Thanks for letting me know if you have experience in these areas. Leslie

[dan]

Leslie,
If your friends invited you, they should share all the details of the trip. Anyway, here's an official webpage about High Sierra Camp preparation for the park concessionaire (Yosemite Concession Services) that runs the Yosemite High Sierra Trips:
http://www.yosemitepark.com/High-Sierra ... ation.aspx

To answer your questions:

No the Tuolumne River will not go dry, no matter how dry a year it is. Neither will the Merced River or any other major river.

The HSCs (High Sierra Camps) provide wool blankets, but you need a cotton sleeping sack. They will be warm enough, especially this summer (which has been warmer than usual, so far).

No, you don't need a bear barrel for day hiking--those are only needed at night for backpackers. HSCs have bear lockers. The Yosemite bears don't attack people during the day, they want your food, not you.

You need rain protection for the occasional afternoon thunderstorm and a jacket.

The lodging in HSCs are tent cabins with 2 double beds. My guess is a family of 3 will have 1 tent cabin. You need to verify this with your friends.

[Grzldvt]

We were invited with friends to the Yosemite High camps after winning some spaces in the lottery for this year.
We backpacked on our own last year at Youngs Lakes and look forward to this area, but have some questions from anyone who has been up that way and particularly anyone who has used the Yosemite HIgh Camps.
Our itinerary is Sunrise first night, May Lake the second night and Glen Aulin the third night. This works well this year due to back issues with one family member (less to carry).

WE are trying to figure out what we really need to bring. For instance, will we be warm enough with sleep sacks and the YHC "wool blankets and comforters"?
YES you will, plus they do have firewood and small camp stoves to warm up the tent cabins, if needed.
Can we expect to be sharing a small dorm style tent with an additional person we do not know if we are a family of three?
Yes you may potentially be sharing with a stranger, but in every case that happened to us, we ended up making some very, very good friends that we still stay in touch with. This is chance, if you take it to make some great new friends, and not worry about having to deal with a toad in your tent.
What is the best map to use for these trails and are they well marked?
The Tom Harrison maps are great as they show mileage. The trails are very well marked, exactly the same as your hike to Young Lakes
Should we bring anything other than rain gear for the unscheduled afternoon storm?
Yes
Do we need to hike with a small bear cannister for lunch food and bars?
No, no need. You will have food storage at each camp and on the trail you simply won't have to deal with bears trying to get your food.
Simply put, you bring a sleeping bag, a change of diapers, a towel for the showers and snack food. The breakfast and dinner meals are incredible, and if you purchase the lunch, they are very nicely done.

Does anyone know if there is water in the Tuolomne River? We've heard it's a very dry year compared to last.

Thanks for letting me know if you have experience in these areas. Leslie

I have done the High Sierra Loop 4 times.
So, see the above answers to your questions in BOLD

[Lesbert]

Thanks for the replies. I have thoroughly read the High sierra site and lead our backpacking trip on our own last year. It helps to know that I'm getting everything right. This forum was great last year and helpful again this year. Many thanks! It sounds like a great experience, tho I'll miss our small tent and a quieter space.

Happy Travels.

[Lesbert]

P.S. Any suggestions for "rain protection" other than rain gear we wear? Last year we had our tent with us, and we won't because we are staying at HSCs. Is there a product you like for quick shelter that would be light to carry. I assume in August we have a pretty good chance of at least one afternoon shower.

Thanks, Leslie

[cathycsr]

Hi Lesbert, my family has been selected to go to the HSC next summer 2014. I saw your post asking many of the same questions I now have. I'm most curious about the sleeping situation. Did you use the wool blankets provided & add a very thin sleeping sack/liner that they suggest you buy? I was thinking we needed to bring our own down sleeping bags but don't really want to if it's not necessary. Any advice on this topic is much appreciated. Thanks!

[Grzldvt]

You need to bring some kind of sleeping sack. They have blankets, so a sleeping bag liner will work. In August you won't need a down bag. What is your route, that also helps, as Sunrise can get cool as well as Vogelsang.

[cathycsr]

Hi Steve, thank you so much for this advice! We will be at the High Camps the last week of July 2014. We visit Sunrise, Merced and Vogelsang. My husband and I were looking at sleep liners today and we saw the one that the HSC recommends. It's a very thin polyester and I can't imagine it adding much warmth at all. Then there was a fleece one that was just a bit heavier but seemed to be more substantial. My husband had the feeling that the thin polyester would be fine but I'm leaning toward the heavier one. I just have no clue what to expect at these camps regarding the wool blankets. Will they give you more than one blanket? Are the blankets heavy duty? How cold will it get last week of July? Thanks, Cathy

[maithly]

As someone who turns 30 next year, other challenges in life await for me as well. Over the last few years, I have felt worn down by the daily operational duties of the WCA. I believe that new thinking and strategic restructuring of the WCA can ameliorate many of these problems, but at least for today, I do not feel I have the capacity to devote the energy to the WCA that it deserves.

[Grzldvt]

Hi Steve, thank you so much for this advice! We will be at the High Camps the last week of July 2014. We visit Sunrise, Merced and Vogelsang. My husband and I were looking at sleep liners today and we saw the one that the HSC recommends. It's a very thin polyester and I can't imagine it adding much warmth at all. Then there was a fleece one that was just a bit heavier but seemed to be more substantial. My husband had the feeling that the thin polyester would be fine but I'm leaning toward the heavier one. I just have no clue what to expect at these camps regarding the wool blankets. Will they give you more than one blanket? Are the blankets heavy duty? How cold will it get last week of July? Thanks, Cathy

Your weather at that time is usually pretty decent low 70's during the day high 30's low 40's at night at the higher camps, Sunrise and Vogelsang, and a bit warmer at Merced. The blankets they supply are very good, and yes you can ask for extras. If you are a warm sleeper meaning you like it on the warm side, the fleece will be good for Sunrise and Vogelsang with the blanket and good for Merced without the blanket. In fact at Vogelsang I think we had some heavier comforters that were really nice. I like the warmer sleeping arrangements myself(If it's below 80 it's cold and I never got cold sleeping in any of the camps.

You will be fine with either one you chose.