Ditching the Kings Range

Believe it or not…out of Yosemite valley to Merced Lake. There will be snow but it’s all manageable easily. There shouldn’t many/any people. You can camp short of Merced Lake if the structures there bum you out. Then day hike up towards Donahue pass. Again, the snow will be consolidated with no post holing or avalanche danger. Very easy walking, as all throughout, despite some snow. Lots of waterfalls, here and all through this hike up through granite canyons and forest. Return on “the high route”: take the trail towards Sunrise but then follow the high traverse back to Little Yosemite Valley. Exit or spend the last night there.

this is the only time of year that I would recommend this hike because no one’s about.

this is a killer early season shake down hike. John Muir discovered and writes about this hike in a chapter called “Shadow Lake”. He loved it so much that he kept it to himself, telling no one until he published the chapter. and he didn’t know about hiking up another thousand feet towards Donohue, which is the piece de resistance of this little adventure.

I hike the Lost Coast 2-4 times a year.  I never have reservations for a permit.  But , I’m solo.  I find that about 2 weeks before I want to go, I start keeping a booking window open on my tabs and check in and out throughout the day…I can almost always find a cancelation   I usually see 1 to 3 permits come open at a time and if I’m quick, I can snag one or multiple if needed.  I’d tell you to make the old trip (Lost Coast) ..your back up trip and use it if you get it.

With that being said…the southern Lost Coast is a little used gem. There are no reservations needed.  You show up, pay your $5 a night permit at the iron ranger…and hit the trail.  And, if you start from Nadelos it’s a total of 27.9. miles, one way which will give you about a 55 mile out and back.  You can also shorten this out and back by about 14 miles.

Another idea, is Hetch Hetchy.  There’s no snow at the reservoir but there is a bit up high right now.  Start at the trailhead and head along the water to Rancheria Falls and up to Avonelle Lake and then south in Jake Main Canyon back to Trailhead…about a 35 mile loop.

Message me if interested in any beta on either trip..

Thank you! All these options sound really good, I’m checking the maps.