Need advice on trip plan
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:07 am
Update: We ended up hiking from Horseshoe Meadows to South Lake and had a fantastic trip! I posted a trip report thread here: http://www.highsierratopix.com/communit ... =1&t=17258
Hi. I actually live in New York State, but came across this board while looking for information regarding a trip to the Sierra Nevada. Lots of useful information here - thank you!
We have permits for a Big SEKI Loop, with the alternate route over Colby Pass instead of Kawaeh Gap, starting on August 20th (next Sunday). Unfortunately, it looks like our trip has coincided with some unfavorable conditions and we are worried we won't be able to do our trip as planned. An extra concern for water crossings is that we are backpacking with our 9 year old daughter.
I know that posters here can't guarantee/promise conditions, but I was looking for general advice if we need to devise a backup plan ASAP. We have a short runway since we are leaving next Friday and since we aren't very familiar with the area, am looking for some guidance on some alternatives and any advice regarding walk up permits (or feasibility of getting them). We are flying in/out of San Francisco and will have a rental car and are willing to drive further afield if need be, although would like to maximize our time on the trail. We will have two weeks and are interested in both backpacking and day hikes. I'm not expecting anybody to plan a trip for us; just looking for some general suggestions of areas/trails for us to research.
Information on us:
What level of backpacking experience do you have?
Level 3- Numerous backpacking trips, some x-country travel (maybe 3+, husband is 4)
What terrain are you comfortable/uncomfortable with?
- Class 1 terrain/trail hiking - comfortable
- Class 2 terrain/pass/x-country - comfortable
- Class 3 terrain/pass/x-country - uncomfortable
- River crossings - uncomfortable
- Snow travel/Glacier crossings - mixed - basic snow okay, no glacier
What is your main interest?
- Lakes
- Big Mountain scenery
- Photography
How many days/nights is your trip, not including travel to trailhead? 14 days
How many miles did you want to do a day, any layovers? 8-14 miles is fine (depending on elevation gain), if higher mileage, also need some shorter days and possible layovers with day hiking options, base camp with hikes is also an option
Have you hiked at elevation before? Any prior issues with Altitude Sickness? We have hiked at elevation before and had no altitude sickness issues
Do you have a route logistics preference: loop, out and back, point to point (which may require 2 vehicles or hitchhiking)? loop or out and back are preferred as we have only one car, but if there is a shuttle that can be arranged, a one way hike is fine too
Is there a particular area in the Sierra that your most interested in (Yosemite, SEKI, western sierra start or eastern start ect.)? Anything is fine - biggest considerations are river crossings/other trail conditions and feasibility of a walkup permit
Have you hiked in the Sierra Nevada before, if yes, where? Please list a few of your more difficult hikes, so we can then recommend routes based on your experience level. Yes - Rae Lakes Loop, hiking/backpacking in Yosemite, and additional trip my husband did: Pine Creek trailhead to Royce Lakes - the summits of Merriam and Royce Peaks, Puppet Lake and Pass, Desolation Lake, Alpine Col, Darwin Canyon, Evolution Basin, Leconte Canyon, Dusy Basin, Thunderbolt Peak, and out via South Lake.
Will you be hiking with a dog? No.
Thanks so much for any advice you might have!
Hi. I actually live in New York State, but came across this board while looking for information regarding a trip to the Sierra Nevada. Lots of useful information here - thank you!
We have permits for a Big SEKI Loop, with the alternate route over Colby Pass instead of Kawaeh Gap, starting on August 20th (next Sunday). Unfortunately, it looks like our trip has coincided with some unfavorable conditions and we are worried we won't be able to do our trip as planned. An extra concern for water crossings is that we are backpacking with our 9 year old daughter.
I know that posters here can't guarantee/promise conditions, but I was looking for general advice if we need to devise a backup plan ASAP. We have a short runway since we are leaving next Friday and since we aren't very familiar with the area, am looking for some guidance on some alternatives and any advice regarding walk up permits (or feasibility of getting them). We are flying in/out of San Francisco and will have a rental car and are willing to drive further afield if need be, although would like to maximize our time on the trail. We will have two weeks and are interested in both backpacking and day hikes. I'm not expecting anybody to plan a trip for us; just looking for some general suggestions of areas/trails for us to research.
Information on us:
What level of backpacking experience do you have?
Level 3- Numerous backpacking trips, some x-country travel (maybe 3+, husband is 4)
What terrain are you comfortable/uncomfortable with?
- Class 1 terrain/trail hiking - comfortable
- Class 2 terrain/pass/x-country - comfortable
- Class 3 terrain/pass/x-country - uncomfortable
- River crossings - uncomfortable
- Snow travel/Glacier crossings - mixed - basic snow okay, no glacier
What is your main interest?
- Lakes
- Big Mountain scenery
- Photography
How many days/nights is your trip, not including travel to trailhead? 14 days
How many miles did you want to do a day, any layovers? 8-14 miles is fine (depending on elevation gain), if higher mileage, also need some shorter days and possible layovers with day hiking options, base camp with hikes is also an option
Have you hiked at elevation before? Any prior issues with Altitude Sickness? We have hiked at elevation before and had no altitude sickness issues
Do you have a route logistics preference: loop, out and back, point to point (which may require 2 vehicles or hitchhiking)? loop or out and back are preferred as we have only one car, but if there is a shuttle that can be arranged, a one way hike is fine too
Is there a particular area in the Sierra that your most interested in (Yosemite, SEKI, western sierra start or eastern start ect.)? Anything is fine - biggest considerations are river crossings/other trail conditions and feasibility of a walkup permit
Have you hiked in the Sierra Nevada before, if yes, where? Please list a few of your more difficult hikes, so we can then recommend routes based on your experience level. Yes - Rae Lakes Loop, hiking/backpacking in Yosemite, and additional trip my husband did: Pine Creek trailhead to Royce Lakes - the summits of Merriam and Royce Peaks, Puppet Lake and Pass, Desolation Lake, Alpine Col, Darwin Canyon, Evolution Basin, Leconte Canyon, Dusy Basin, Thunderbolt Peak, and out via South Lake.
Will you be hiking with a dog? No.
Thanks so much for any advice you might have!