3-4 openings for Rae Lakes loop 8/12-8/15

Ken, the Creeks, Woods and Bubbs are raging. I'm not sure why they are called creeks? The only tricky creek crossing was between Woods Crossing and Dollar Lake. There is no snow on the trail to contend with even up on Glen Pass. I hiked in Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultras and had no problems even though my Osprey Exos 46 were way to heavy, we carried fishing gear and tent. I will be suprised if you guys stop at Vidette Mdw, the hiking is so nice and easy once you are heading downhill.

Thanks for the reports guys. That picture of the Painted Lady is awesome. Love it there!

I agree on Vidette Meadows. That meadow is awesome. You are right that the hiking is easy back to the trailhead. It is the 5 hour drive afterwards that is the problem. Still I would be up for staying the night there!

I had planned to carry Thursday's food in a regular bag if it didnt fit in the bear cannister since it will be eaten the first day. Wednesday night at Hume Lake I would just put the bag of food in a bear locker or something.As far as I can tell there are no bear lockers at Hume Lake right? So our food for Thursday will also have to fit in the bear cannister. anyone else having trouble fitting 3.5 days of food in the cannister?

Adan, that is my plan too. I assume that there will be food lockers at each campsite…Major bear area I would guess

Mine is about 75% full I only need to put in some meds, sal&pepper a few treats and I'm done.

I need to look at your food in your cannister….I am having some problems here!

I'm having the same issue. Not sure what to do… I usually eat a ton when backpacking.

Dylan, you can cheat on the first day by putting all of your first day food out of the cannister. The Rangers will allow you to do that while you are hiking. I plan on doing this each day, that way you can lesson the cannister issues

Ohh… Ok so thats my plan as well. Cool.

I tend to over pack on food. When I hike I don't get as hungry as when I'm at home and I usually have food left over, so for this trip I cut way back, will see what happns! Adan I don't know if you pack this way, but try taking your F.D. food out of the package and put them in the quart size zip lock freezer bags,then roll them to get all the air out, then zip closed. This has worked for me in the past and it's what I usually do unless it's a short over nighter.

Is this the longest pre-trip thread ever? ; ))

Hey David how you doing. I think the Point Reyes was a little longer. HA! HA!

There's still some time for you guys to catch up!

Have a great time out there, I look forward to the photos…..

Okay, so I got everything in. My first days food is in a separate bag but everything else is in. I literally had to use my fist to press down and compress everything, I hope nothing broke. but i have a bowl in case one of the bags broke.

Dylan, you might try a 2×4 block of wood and a mallet to compress everything into the cannister. ;)

I just treated select pieces of clothing with permethrin. Recent trip reports all talk about the mosquitos still being an issue. I'm curious as to how well it will work, if at all.

Adan, I'm heading over to my friends shop to use the hydraulic press :)

I might have to rent a Bearikade at the Ranger Station

Ken, remember the deposit is over $200.00 to rent the Bearikade. I'm guessing they will let you use a credit card? I have a Bearvault you can use, just don't stop at Middle Paradise they say the local bear has learned how to open them.

Thanks for the info Sean, I have my Bareboxer and will use that instead. I have a Bearvault but it is not allowed in the Rae Lakes area. Thank you for the offer. Sean, I noticed that you are from the East Bay…We do an annual Bay Area BPL trip each Jan. or Feb. In 2011 we are going to Ventana Wilderness. My guess is that there will be 40-50 coming this year. You should join us!!!!!!!!!!

BTW, nice pics from your trip. The best memories a kid can have is with his dad on an amazing trip like this one. Jealous that you guys ventured into 60 Lakes Basin. My last time in that area we did not go there, and it looks like this year we will not have the time, nor energy. So your son and you went from Rae Lakes back to the trailhead??? That is a haul. How old is your son if you do not mind me asking. That is a long walk!!!!!!!!!!!

"I have a Bearvault but it is not allowed in the Rae Lakes area."

I have never found any ranger who tries to distinguish one model of Bearvault from another. I've used the old model Bearvault there.

–B.G.–

Nice to know Bob….I just might then…………….hehehe

Again, I am the anti bear….though watch, I will see many bears on this trip

Dave, I am attempting to make this the longest pre hike thread yet!!

Ken, I live in Pleasanton and have played on a softball team with Dave Lutz. I'm hoping to join you guys on one of your trips.
My son, Connor, is 15. He has been going on backpacking trips with me since he was 6. Last year we hiked over 100 miles at Philmont. He has done the Ohlone Trail and 30 miles in Henry Coe. Connor also wrestles at his high school. We left Rae Lakes at 7:30am made it to the top of Glen Pass at 9:00am, Charlotte Lake Trail at 10:15am, Vidette meadows at 11:20am, Sphinx Creek Camp at 3:20pm and did the last 4 miles in one hour and twenty minutes, Roads End 4:41pm. My calves were really sore and Connor's ankles hurt for two days.

Awesome Sean! The south side of Glen Pass is soo much easier that the other side. I start thinkin In & Out Burgers and it is all over, so that death march is something I can do. Last time we did Vidette to Cedar Grove. Glad you are joing the party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I felt really bad for the groups we passed coming up from Junction and Sphinx. They looked so spent and most were already talking about alternate campsites just in case they didn't make it over the pass.

Tweaking the kit today, feelin good about it. And all it took was a little trimming, measuring, cutting, drinking, fitting, sliding, folding, rolling, tucking, taping, stuffing, sanding, grinding, copying, pasting, zooming, printing, and drinking some more.

Notice I didnt say weighing (havent gone down that road).

I love the feeling of a well dialed kit. Now if I can just find it all again.