Popular Post Razors Edge ★ Posted September 12, 2019 Popular Post Share #1 Posted September 12, 2019 ...and Kings Canyon/Sequoia NPs, and then a leisurely few days in SoCal. Gotta say, California continues to kick the azz of the rest of the US. Colorado or Utah might have given it a run for #1 if only they had access to an ocean. Anyway, a great place to visit and camp for a bit of rejuvenation. A shot from atop Sentinel Dome off over the valley and towards Half Dome: A view on our way down of Nevada Falls (and maybe Liberty Cap) as we walked down. And you have to respect the Captain! If you look close at El Capitan, can you spot the three climbers? I'll give you a hint, they are not on the shaded portion. ...and a side trip to Mono Lake and then the ghost town of Bodie. 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12string Posted September 12, 2019 Share #2 Posted September 12, 2019 jealous! We had the Half Dome hike all planned, then the wildfires kicked us out. Now that the kids are out of Cali, we'll have fewer excuses to get back out there. Except that hike, we need to do that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted September 12, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted September 12, 2019 5 minutes ago, 12string said: We had the Half Dome hike all planned We didn't get the Half Dome permit, and after going up to and a good bit beyond Nevada Falls, I was fine having lunch, soaking my feet in the river, & turning around and coming back down the Muir trail. It would be a nice "bucket" item to do the full hike, but it wasn't too pressing to me that I was upset we didn't do it. I'd like to think we will be back there in the next decade, hopefully earlier in the season (maximum water on the falls), but we were at least lucky that 1) there were no fires, and 2) there was still a lot of water in the park due to a wetter winter. Hopefully they are back into a wet cycle rather than a dry one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 12, 2019 Share #4 Posted September 12, 2019 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 12, 2019 Share #5 Posted September 12, 2019 You must be traveling hwy 395 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted September 12, 2019 Author Share #6 Posted September 12, 2019 3 minutes ago, Dottie said: You must be traveling hwy 395 A tiny bit from Lee Vining up to the road to Bodie. I will say that the road leaving Sequoia NP (198) - just after the Giant Forest Museum - was the craziest road I have ever driven down. Zig zagging constantly for maybe a dozen miles. So fun, but man would it suck with a trailer or if you had motion sickness. And it would be a great ToC finishing climb. A shame the NPs don't allow races through park land anymore, because that would be a beast of a climb. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted September 12, 2019 Share #7 Posted September 12, 2019 Very cool, and still no reach out!?!? That’s OK I’ll remember not to call next time I’m in VA!? CA is awesome in many ways. I’ve been to all of the places noted but it’s been 30 years since I’ve been to Sequoia NP. When you are heading East on 120 at the 395 in Lee Vining there is a gas station (Shell i think) on the SW corner. There is a small restaurant in the gas station, best grub in town. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted September 12, 2019 Share #8 Posted September 12, 2019 25 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: We didn't get the Half Dome permit You need a permit to hike to the top now? When I was there in July of 1995 you didn't. From 90+ heat in the Valley to snow up to your knees on the top, it was an amazing (long) day hike! * When we were there you needed a permit to camp above a certain point, but not to hike to the top of Half Dome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zealot Posted September 12, 2019 Share #9 Posted September 12, 2019 Oh wow!!! I miss it out there!!! Did you make it to the Redwoods as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted September 12, 2019 Author Share #10 Posted September 12, 2019 3 minutes ago, ChrisL said: Very cool, and still no reach out!?!? That’s OK I’ll remember not to call next time I’m in VA!? CA is awesome in many ways. I’ve been to all of the places noted but it’s been 30 years since I’ve been to Sequoia NP. When you are heading East on 120 at the 395 in Lee Vining there is a gas station (Shell i think) on the SW corner. There is a small restaurant in the gas station, best grub in town. The Whoa Nelly Deli is where we ate coming back into the park. Live music, outdoor seating, and delicious food. Place was hopping, and it was well worth the wait for food (fish taco platter for me!). And we were down past you the last couple of days in Vista. No bikes, just relaxing on the back porch watching golfers, reading, and chatting. A few walks along the beach, and some good food, but definitely a transition from camping. Very pleasant (and apparently just missed a streak of hot days). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted September 12, 2019 Share #11 Posted September 12, 2019 Just keep an eye out for this guy. He's downright ornery. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted September 12, 2019 Author Share #12 Posted September 12, 2019 10 minutes ago, Prophet Zacharia said: You need a permit to hike to the top now? When I was there in July of 1995 you didn't. From 90+ heat in the Valley to snow up to your knees on the top, it was an amazing (long) day hike! Absolutely need the permit now - essentially for that final stretch. And they aren't "day of" permits, so you have to plan slightly ahead or won't get one. 9 minutes ago, Zealot said: Did you make it to the Redwoods as well? No Redwoods. Those are more coastal trees, so have to head north and west to get to them. I simply could not capture the immensity and awesomeness of the sequoias in Mariposa (Yosemite) or in Sequoia NP. The camera just failed to do any justice to them. Simply breathtaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted September 12, 2019 Share #13 Posted September 12, 2019 5 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: The Whoa Nelly Deli is where we ate coming back into the park. Live music, outdoor seating, and delicious food. Place was hopping, and it was well worth the wait for food (fish taco platter for me!). And we were down past you the last couple of days in Vista. No bikes, just relaxing on the back porch watching golfers, reading, and chatting. A few walks along the beach, and some good food, but definitely a transition from camping. Very pleasant (and apparently just missed a streak of hot days). Whoa Nellie, yeah that’s it! We were camping in Mammoth one year and made a trip to Bodie. Everyone was getting hungry & didn’t want to wait till we got back to Mammoth to eat so we stopped in there. Unbeknownst to us it was a local hang out known for their food. Yeah Vista is a bit south of me by about an hour. You were probably in town when my MIL was here! You just missed her... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted September 12, 2019 Share #14 Posted September 12, 2019 3 minutes ago, ChrisL said: You were probably in town when my MIL was here! You just missed her... And that big party he threw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted September 12, 2019 Share #15 Posted September 12, 2019 14 minutes ago, Prophet Zacharia said: And that big party he threw. With the ribs, lots of freaking ribs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12string Posted September 12, 2019 Share #16 Posted September 12, 2019 22 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: Absolutely need the permit now - essentially for that final stretch. And they aren't "day of" permits, so you have to plan slightly ahead or won't get one. No Redwoods. Those are more coastal trees, so have to head north and west to get to them. I simply could not capture the immensity and awesomeness of the sequoias in Mariposa (Yosemite) or in Sequoia NP. The camera just failed to do any justice to them. Simply breathtaking. If you miss the lottery, you can re apply for a next day permit. They usually have a few available. They had to go to permits because the cables were getting too crowded. I've been to the redwood Forests. Amazing (if you go to an old growth forest like Cowell) Are the Sequoias that much bigger? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted September 12, 2019 Share #17 Posted September 12, 2019 2 minutes ago, 12string said: If you miss the lottery, you can re apply for a next day permit. They usually have a few available. They had to go to permits because the cables were getting too crowded. I've been to the redwood Forests. Amazing (if you go to an old growth forest like Cowell) Are the Sequoias that much bigger? Yes, in circumference and height. The redwoods in Big Sur are spectacular but they are much smaller than the Seqouias. To Toms point, a camera just doesn’t do justice to El Capitan & half moon in person. It’s really amazing to stand in the valley surrounded by the granite cliffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zealot Posted September 12, 2019 Share #18 Posted September 12, 2019 23 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: Absolutely need the permit now - essentially for that final stretch. And they aren't "day of" permits, so you have to plan slightly ahead or won't get one. No Redwoods. Those are more coastal trees, so have to head north and west to get to them. I simply could not capture the immensity and awesomeness of the sequoias in Mariposa (Yosemite) or in Sequoia NP. The camera just failed to do any justice to them. Simply breathtaking. I lived in Marysville. We visited Yosimite and hiked and camped in Humbolt (redwoods). Took lots of pics (35mm days). And while some of the pics are good, like you said, doesn’t really capture it. Heres a few of the trees we took. You can see us at the base if the tree in a couple: 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted September 12, 2019 Author Share #19 Posted September 12, 2019 9 minutes ago, 12string said: If you miss the lottery, you can re apply for a next day permit. They usually have a few available. They had to go to permits because the cables were getting too crowded. I've been to the redwood Forests. Amazing (if you go to an old growth forest like Cowell) Are the Sequoias that much bigger? Sequoias are IMMENSE. They are "bigger" in volume, but don't grow quite as tall and tend to lose their crowns. So, if you have seen Redwoods, they aren't the same. Both are spectacular but in different ways. Redwoods are also impossible to catch properly on my iPhone or inexpensive Sony camera. I actually tried just doing a video to get the full sequoia. Maybe I have some pics with a person in it as a reference size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12string Posted September 12, 2019 Share #20 Posted September 12, 2019 This is the largest one in the Cowell Woods. There's another one that you can climb inside and walk around. 5 or 6 people in there can walk around without being crowded. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 12, 2019 Share #21 Posted September 12, 2019 How were the mosquitoes this time of year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 12, 2019 Share #22 Posted September 12, 2019 Should have been good but with the heavier snowpack ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted September 12, 2019 Share #23 Posted September 12, 2019 I really wish I'd made the opportunity to go to Yosemite all the years I lived in California. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 12, 2019 Share #24 Posted September 12, 2019 2 minutes ago, Kirby said: I really wish I'd made the opportunity to go to Yosemite all the years I lived in California. You still can. Bunk up with @Page Turner and his wife and do day drives into Yosemite. Better yet have him drop you off and pick you up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parr8hed Posted September 13, 2019 Share #25 Posted September 13, 2019 That’s freaking amazing. Where do you park the camper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted September 13, 2019 Share #26 Posted September 13, 2019 38 minutes ago, Parr8hed said: That’s freaking amazing. Where do you park the camper? They have RV camping in Yosemite. Tom probably timed it right but the one bummer in the summer is the crowds. Look up and the view is spectacular. Don’t look down across the valley is it’s pretty much a sprawl of people, RV’s cars & more people. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 13, 2019 Share #27 Posted September 13, 2019 According to @Page Turner, your best shot is Monday or Tuesday during the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted September 13, 2019 Author Share #28 Posted September 13, 2019 13 hours ago, Parr8hed said: That’s freaking amazing. Where do you park the camper? Sadly, the camper (and the monster outdoor breakfast grill) was too large to fit in my duffel bag. I had to settle for a lousy tent Damn airline weight restrictions! 14 hours ago, Dottie said: How were the mosquitoes this time of year? Zippo! Unlike camping in the Cascades last year, there were no mosquitoes and almost no pestering bugs at all during our CA trip. Seems fewer annoying bugs is another selling point for already awesome California. 12 hours ago, ChrisL said: They have RV camping in Yosemite. Tom probably timed it right but the one bummer in the summer is the crowds. Look up and the view is spectacular. Don’t look down across the valley is it’s pretty much a sprawl of people, RV’s cars & more people. Still pretty crowded in the Valley, but our normal strategy (using the East Coast time boost) is to GET OUT EARLY. The sun rose right around six, and we could have our coffee and head to a trail before seven and have it almost (or totally) to ourselves. You can't do that in the summer, probably. We did Lembert Dome and were TOTALLY alone at the top for almost 1/2 hour before a guy came up as we were going down. Nuts. Definitely some RVs but not crowding the roads. At our one campsite, we had two RVs by our spot - both rentals - but overall, not an excessive amount relative to some places we regularly camp. Our final camping spot in Sequoia - Buckeye Flat - didn't allow RVs, so that was just a bunch of tent campers. HIGHLY recommend buckeye flat if you have kids and want to play in a great river (has some natural water "slides" and nice swimming holes). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 13, 2019 Share #29 Posted September 13, 2019 Dude there are no mosquitoes here in August. But my friends hiking the PCT in California said there were literally clouds of them in July through California NPs. So Cali is awesome but not that awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 13, 2019 Share #30 Posted September 13, 2019 Also please note that September has no mosquitoes anywhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted September 13, 2019 Author Share #31 Posted September 13, 2019 Just now, Dottie said: Also please note that September has no mosquitoes anywhere IT IS STILL SUMMER IN MUCH OF THE USA!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted September 13, 2019 Share #32 Posted September 13, 2019 7 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: IT IS STILL SUMMER IN MUCH OF THE USA!!!! Yeah well I have never been to Minnesota. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted September 13, 2019 Author Share #33 Posted September 13, 2019 18 minutes ago, Dottie said: Yeah well I have never been to Minnesota. I think it is WINTER there now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12string Posted September 13, 2019 Share #34 Posted September 13, 2019 1 minute ago, Razors Edge said: I think it is WINTER there now. It's always winter there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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