Chiquito/Quartz to Norris/Fernandez

[CBing]

Thanks for the info, definitely will start at Chiquito. The original plan was to cross country it on day 2 from Middle Chain lake and head NE, cutting towards Breeze Lake and pick up the trail there before Fernandez Pass. We'll have to see, hopefully it's not too snowy for that. If so we'll be taking the long route on our way to Rutherford or Anne Lake, which has even more creek crossing. Yes ought to be interesting for sure.

Also, any recommendations on what's the preferred exit TH between Norris and Fernandez? In particular, I'm wondering how far back the Norris TH is on that road off of Beasore. On the Nat Geo SE Yosemite map it has the TH about halfway down 5S86 before that sharp bend. Is that accurate, or can you actually take that road all the way back where it intersects with the trail and Norris Creek?

[oldranger]

RE cross country between chain and Breeze: Follow trail up toward upper Chain as far as the arrowhead shaped tarn go to the tarn then continue roughly n. There is actually a faint user trail on this route but if snowbound won't do you any good. If you go too far w. on this route things get a little nasty. From the saddle then head se toward breeze. After a short drop it is relatively flat but if not snow covered likely to be pretty soggy.

Re: Fernandez or Norris TH. Never headed up the Norris road. But the Fernadez TH is used by the pack station frequently so if there is any trail maintenance this early I would guess it would be out of the Fernandez TH.

[CBing]

Thanks, that's very helpful!