Rancheria Falls Trip in April

Ken,
Is there still room for one more?

Ken: Got your PM. I'm in. Jeremy.

Of course Dennis. Let me do a headcount and go from there. There are plenty of space available. I will count out how many we have a get the permit.

Jeremy, cool!

Hey Ken, I am 90% sure I can make it. I need to talk to the BOSS if I can get the Hall Pass.

Folks, I was looking at the Yosemite website. To get a permit early it is $5 plus for everyone that is on the trip it will be another $5 per person. With the economy the way it is, I cannot unfortunately absorb the cost at this moment. I have never had a problem getting on the trail with a walk up permit. I am willing to go up on Friday and secure a permit for me and a few others,and if there were any others that were willing to do so then it would not even be a problem and I think we could probably get enough permits or permit that would cover all of us. If some of you would like to come up early Saturday it still should not be a prolbem. Sorry about this guys, my business is down 40% and my income has taken a pretty big hit.

If someone has an idea that can work, please express it so that we can be proactive!

Hey Ken, Why not do a hike out of Crabtree TH out of PineCrest like me, you, Josh and my buddy did in Oct…No Bear canisters or permits..drive up the day of the hike and everybody gets there own permit. Are do a hike out of Kennedy meadows to Emigrant Lake– 12 miles on way. Less hassle and cheaper!!!

Ken,
It's a bummer. I just popped $80 for 15 for the JMT in August. I'll send you cash to cover your costs.

Re. Kennedy to Emigrant:I've walked down the hill from Mosquito Pass to Kennedy and don't think it would be that much fun hiking up it. Crabtree would be better for me. Maybe to Piute Meadow, for an overnighter.

Just my two cents worth.

What is the situation with permits? Aren't we covered by the part that says:

"Wilderness permits are required in winter (November through April), but are available on a self-registration basis. No reservations are necessary."

In any case, I'm already planning to go up Fri with you; we should be able to make it work.

— Bob

Thanks for the replies guys.

Jay, those trailheads won't open until June unfortunately due to snow. Though, I do like your idea. Maybe June????

Dennis, I really believe that we (10 or so of us) can show up and get permits. This hike is not like Happy Isles, Lyell Canyon, 10 Lakes Basin, etc. April is still pretty quiet there and I feel that we can show up. That is my vote, what does the others think of this???

Oh yeah Bob, it will work. I think that if a few of us head up on Friday. Task is done! Unfortunately at Yosemite, I think there are no self registration….Maybe I am wrong. I know at Toiyabe on Hwy 4 you do that. Let me call the rangers at Yosemite for more clarification.

Are you sure about no self-registration, even in the off-season?

My quote is from the YNP web page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm down near the bottom in the "Winter Permits" section.

— Bob

I spoke to a ranger today and he mentioned that if the kiosk heading into Hetch Hetchy is un-manned then you self register, he also mentioned that they are a little looser with quotas in the winter and 10 or so should not be a problem. Of course that could change. In my experience with hiking to Rancheria, it has never been a problem getting on the trail.

I say we just go for it.

I suppose I should ask at this point if anyone has an extra bear cannister. ARGH

I have a Bearikade Weekender I'll bring

— Bob

Ken,
So if I understand the drill… We're on for April 18th at the Hetch Hetchy trailhead for an overnight to Rancheria Falls. We will self register at the trailhead.

I would be going up on Friday night and will have room in my car for two others. I'd like to leave in time to stop for dinner and get to HH before 8:00 pm. But that's negotiable.

Anyone who's needs a ride PM me or email at redleader429 at comcast dot net.

Dennis, please keep in mind that the road into Hetch Hetchy closes in the evening and might be closed by 8pm…or not. Just up the road on Hwy 120 just before the Official entrance into Yosemite is Hogdon Meadows and they have site there. I am planning on taking the day off on Friday so if Bob does not mind, I would like to get up there around 4pm????

Sounds good to me.

Ken,

I like four PM even better. I was just thinking about riders who might not be able to get off work earlier.

It'll be sorted out before then.

I would suggest, if possible that people share bear vaults at night.

Dave, Jeremy, and I will bring a solo bear vault and stuff all of our food into the vault at night….so only one of use has to carry the dreaded and evil vault.

-Tony

I have Bearikade Expedition and a Bearvault I can bring.

I've got a Bearikade Weekender, an original Bearikade and a Garcia Canister. I only need one for myself. If anyone needs one let me know.

Denis,

I will either buy a citygolf cannister or else borrow one of yours. Not sure how the logistics would work, and don't want you to have to lug an extra. If anyone brings one that clearly has enough room for someone else's food, let me know.

I am bringing mine. I have both a Bearvault and a Bearboxer that fits just enough food for a few days. I will be showing the Bearboxer off for those to see. Nice weekend cannister that is quite small and tough. Just think a smaller Garcia bear can and less weight.

oh and if someone need to borrow a Garcia or Bearvault let me know.

Nathan,

I would think that most any one of the canisters has room for more than one person for the length of time we are talking about. Bearikade weekender, for example, claims to hold 6 person-days.

— Bob