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wornoutboots 
Group: Members
Posts: 454
Joined: Jun. 2010
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Posted on: Mar. 03 2013, 11:01 pm |
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I've got my permits for August to Thru hike the JMT & Climb Half Dome. Are there any side trails that are a "must see"? I'm planning on lollygagging it & taking my time. I'll be leaving out of the Glacier Point TH to LYV day one & day hiking the 1st section while I stay at the backpackers CG the night before. Thanks
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Take time to watch the trees dance with the wind......then join in
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| Post Number: 2
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High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39584
Joined: Aug. 2005
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Posted on: Mar. 04 2013, 12:06 pm |
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On the stretch alongside the Ritter-Banner Range look at the Ediza-Iceberg Lake-Minaret Lake section. Oh and a loop around Thousand Island Lake is a fun jaunt.
At the other end: just after Forester Pass there's Lake South America, which is (IMHO) a meh, but the trail that leads off that way and down the other side of the ridge heading towards the Kings-Kern Divide and Mt. Genevra to Milsestone Mtn and Milestone Creek etc. is a very unvisited corner of the mountains. One of the few places the trail is a boot width wide. Or you could pop out East from there and snag Mt. Williamson.
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| Post Number: 3
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larrys
Group: Members
Posts: 385
Joined: Jul. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 06 2013, 7:42 pm |
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I did not go there but heard the Sixty Lakes Basin near Rae Lakes is nice.
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markskor
Group: Members
Posts: 982
Joined: Apr. 2005
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Posted on: Mar. 06 2013, 11:37 pm |
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Appreciate that you are lollygagging the Muir – a wise choice never to rush through the best of all trails, (too many do).
Couple of Q’s -
Are you lollygagging in 15 days, 22 days, or 32?
You say permits…how many are going along with you?
Are you fishing?
Doing the Muir is not a solitary spiritual quest along some verdant alpine corridor, rather more akin to a travelling circus, clowns and all – suggest just jump on the bus and enjoy the entire ride. The Muir is rich with opportunities, all depending on what lollygagging actually means to you and how gregarious you want it to be.
You asked about places not to miss along the trail. As I remember, for me the trail didn’t really start/feel right until after Tuolumne…the crowds, the uphill, the newness.
Sitting on the picnic table in front of the Tuolumne store, drinking a cold one (or six) with all the other thru hikers now friends – game on. Hopefully you got your trail name – (FYI, you cannot give yourself one).
From there on, lollygaggers should make all trail decisions based solely on current conditions and the craziness capacity of companions. You will soon become acquainted/hop-scotch along with 25 – 40 other Muir denizens… being flexible will pay dividends. Be warned though, half are certifiable…which half are you in?
Lyell glacier, 1000 Island Lake loop – (backside hump over to Garnet) – entire area definitely worth a zero day. Milkshake and hot tub at Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile store stood out as noteworthy too. MTR was OK but my $128 VVR bar bill (rib-eye night) was worth every penny. BTW, There is also a nice hot springs nearby not to miss…ask.
Lots of passes, highs and lows; Silver, Mather, Forrester, and Pinchot - sometimes it rained all day… Rae Lakes, Marie Lake, up the Kern... Muir hut, Evolution Valley - Wanda – we climbed Mt Darwin… visited Landmark Col. Make sure you use the famous outside crapper at Crabtree Meadows - memorable.
Miter Basin, Crabtree Lakes, Guitar Lake – Whitney.
A Portal burger will get you down the hill and believe it or not, even for lollygaggers, it will be over all too soon.
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mountain man who swims with trout
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wornoutboots
Group: Members
Posts: 454
Joined: Jun. 2010
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Posted on: Mar. 07 2013, 5:18 pm |
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It's just me going solo, I'll thinking @20 days. As in lollygagging, I'll be swimming along the way, taking looong break at great vistas. I don't mind throwing in a few 5-10 mile off trail "Must See"Places. I really thought about fishing, but decided it may be too much work after hiking & site seeing all day. No comment on the certifiably crazy  I'd love to have a few beers at my resupply stops, Reds, Muir Ranch & VVC. do they all sell beer or should I mail myself some??
Thanks everyone!! I just received my Harrison Map Pack & I'm hoping to start going thru it this weekend.
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Take time to watch the trees dance with the wind......then join in
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| Post Number: 6
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wornoutboots
Group: Members
Posts: 454
Joined: Jun. 2010
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Posted on: Mar. 07 2013, 5:31 pm |
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I'd also love to camp up high during the fuller moon phases, is this recommended? Any pros & cons? I've never camped at those elevations. Much Night hiking go on on the JMT?
Thanks Again!
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Take time to watch the trees dance with the wind......then join in
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| Post Number: 7
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markskor
Group: Members
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Joined: Apr. 2005
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 11:57 am |
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Not much of a night hiker myself -
Usually fishing till dark – (stumbling/finding my way back to camp is hard enough), then... sleeping?
In times past, (when camping was still allowed), there were summer Full Moon parties atop Half Dome, drawing hundreds of revelers. (Maybe you will get lucky and your trip will coincide with the full moon here?).
I recall sitting along the rim with friends, looking out and down, the sun setting over a series of distant foothills. Watching the Valley 4000 feet below - campfires and street lights, cars and shuttle buses, everyone (easily over 200 that night) grew quiet as the shadows poured out over Yosemite Valley. Oranges and greens turned to purples and browns.
After a somewhat “spiritual” silence, (frickin' eerie?), the moon popped up over Mount Lyell and as if someone turned on a neon light switch - the party started. An ice-blue spotlight bounced off the quartz granite canyons, got higher, and soon created both a piercing energy and hard shadows. Hiking would be easy – heck, reading a book was doable…
(I was do-able). The rest of the evening cannot be repeated here.
Bottom line though, you will have one full moon somewhere along your trip. Use it well.
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mountain man who swims with trout
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| Post Number: 8
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wornoutboots
Group: Members
Posts: 454
Joined: Jun. 2010
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 9:38 pm |
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I never really thought about this, but can you climb Half Dome at night?
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Take time to watch the trees dance with the wind......then join in
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| Post Number: 9
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paula53
Group: Members
Posts: 666
Joined: Feb. 2007
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 9:41 pm |
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Yes. Its quite popular to get up at 3am, to climb HD and watch the sunrise before going back down.
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| Post Number: 11
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burntfoot
Group: Members
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Joined: Mar. 2004
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Posted on: Mar. 16 2013, 11:41 am |
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There is a cinder cone south of Reds Meadow a ways. Neat place to camp, especially if mosquitoes are out.
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I love the mountains!
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