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Last time I did the JMT I was lucky enough to do a circuit of the High Sierra Camps in Yosemite before setting out.? This year, Yosemite is getting so restricted that it's not hospitable to training hikes for the time before my hike (hopefully starting late august).? Being a flatlander, I need that acclimatization.? Any suggestions on public transport accessible, easy permitting, high altitude hiking/backpacking options not too far from Yosemite good for 5 or so days of hiking (combination of dayhikes and backpacking)?
Thanks
Judy McGuire
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Last time I did the JMT I was lucky enough to do a circuit of the High Sierra Camps in Yosemite before setting out.? This year, Yosemite is getting so restricted that it's not hospitable to training hikes for the time before my hike (hopefully starting late august).? Being a flatlander, I need that acclimatization.? Any suggestions on public transport accessible, easy permitting, high altitude hiking/backpacking options not too far from Yosemite good for 5 or so days of hiking (combination of dayhikes and backpacking)?
Thanks
Judy McGuire
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Hi Judy,
Saddlebag Lake Trail in Hoover Wilderness is gorgeous and there is so much to explore!
Heather L McCoy @mermaidlovesmountains
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On Jan 31, 2024, at 1:08?PM, George Graybill <chickenfat2@...> wrote:
? Tahoe, Trinity Alps Last time I did the JMT I was lucky enough to do a circuit of the High Sierra Camps in Yosemite before setting out.? This year, Yosemite is getting so restricted that it's not hospitable to training hikes for the time before my hike (hopefully starting late august).? Being a flatlander, I need that acclimatization.? Any suggestions on public transport accessible, easy permitting, high altitude hiking/backpacking options not too far from Yosemite good for 5 or so days of hiking (combination of dayhikes and backpacking)?
Thanks
Judy McGuire
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Depending on your location there are options to camp in national forestland and do day hikes to altitude all around the trail. Two or three days is sufficient if you are heading south. ? For a NoBo cottonwood is at 10k
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On Jan 31, 2024, at 1:01?PM, judithsmcguire <judithsmcguire@...> wrote:
?Last time I did the JMT I was lucky enough to do a circuit of the High Sierra Camps in Yosemite before setting out.? This year, Yosemite is getting so restricted that it's not hospitable to training hikes for the time before my hike (hopefully starting late august).? Being a flatlander, I need that acclimatization.? Any suggestions on public transport accessible, easy permitting, high altitude hiking/backpacking options not too far from Yosemite good for 5 or so days of hiking (combination of dayhikes and backpacking)?
Thanks
Judy McGuire
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You want altitude, check out White Mountain. It is the 2nd highest in the lower 48.
Two Dogs
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In what way is Yosemite inhospitable to hiking in the Park at the beginning of your trip?? What would you like to do and why can't you?? Never heard of anything like that before.? When I did the Original JMT a couple years ago there was no resction (except the 14 day limit) that I was aware of.
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I've actually found Yosemite to be very good for overnight training hikes, even with the "new" reservation rules -- the only thing is you have to be somewhat flexible about your starting point. I've never had a problem getting a walkup permit for an overnight trailhead, I just sometimes don't get my first choice. In the past two years I've done last-minute weekend hikes out of Ten Lakes, Sunrise and Lyell Canyon. Literally drove up in the morning from the Bay Area, got my permit at the entry and started my hike an hour or two later.
If you're talking about day hikes that's another matter. It can indeed be a pain to find a way into the park between lodging and the park reservation system.
In what way is Yosemite inhospitable to hiking in the Park at the beginning of your trip?? What would you like to do and why can't you?? Never heard of anything like that before.? When I did the Original JMT a couple years ago there was no resction (except the 14 day limit) that I was aware of.
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Ii fear the permitting problem.? It seems that you have the same 6 months ahead window to get a permit and I fear that the most popular trailheads will get booked.? I was contemplating the PCT going north from Tuolumne.? Good to know there are some walkup permits.? The problem is we won't have a car and the campground up at Tuolumne Meadows is closed this summer.? I know there is a bus within the park but it takes a long time.?
Thanks for the suggestions.?
Judy McGuire
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Don't let perfection destroy the good.? You are trying for the most popular permit imaginable.? Do you really need the perfect warm-up hike to go with that?? Surely there will be something good enough.? If your warmup hike is anything near as long as the High Sierra Loop you did last time, there are plenty of trailheads that will give you access to just about anywhere in the Park you want to go, and you might be surprised what may be available.? Last summer, on my way back from Colorado, middle of August, I came through Tuolumne just to see if I could snag something for the night. I asked for Lyell for a quick overnight up to Vogelsang and was offered one with Donohue.? Take what you can get.? Chances of trading up are better than you might expect.
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The challenging part of your question is the one all the responses have ignored: public transport accessible. Getting from one remote spot to another is a major problem. If you can at all afford to rent a vehicle for even a short time for your training hikes, that helps reach all these amazing places everyone is recommending. Otherwise it can be pretty limited.?
I did use public transport to get to and from Mammoth lakes, and then it's easy to get to a few trails via uber. Not cheap though and not public transport. Locals can correct me if I'm wrong here and there is actually an option of some kind.
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Basing out of Mammoth Lakes could be a good option. You can be in town, at 8000+ elevation, campgrounds nearby or hotel and it is all on the YARTS & EST so you can take a bus to your start point when ready.?
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I agree with Heather. Hoover wilderness puts you at 11,000 feet right away. You can start acclimating in Mammoth Lakes and get permits for lots of trailheads accessible from the Tioga Pass Road via YARTS bus.
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I'm going to throw out a different approach in a moment.?
Last summer, I went from 1000' to 11,000' over two days and it was too much for me. I then spent a few days in the 8000 ft range and did fine after that.
My other approach for flatlanders like me is to consider hypoxic training. The best thing to do is search for the term and then learn. I spent maybe $200 to create my hypoxic training setup and have used it for the past few years before I head off to the highlands, especially if I don't really have time/want to take the time to acclimate. Hypoxic training helps me in my acclimatization to make it shorter and easier, but it doesn't fully replace it. My wife and kids refer to it as torture. ;) ?Also, I do not suggest taking your SpO2 below 75%! And, YMMV.
My $0.02 worth...
Tim
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I've alot of experience in the Sierra. It was no big deal when I lived in Truckee. But coming from Redding I need to acclimatize. My body still has some memory from living in Truckee for 20 years.? I always preload with Diamox / Acetazolamide for 48 hours before I enter. I always spend 24 hours in Lee Vining going out of Yosemite, the same in Bridgeport going out of Hover, and 2 nights in Mammoth for? higher elevation passes over 12k. Mammoth is my hub. It has? everything that I need for my adventures.? If you don't acclimatize, from sea level. You are going to fell like shit at 10k for 2 or 3 days. You can't eat, you are nauseous,? and you have a pounding headache. You can lie all you want, but you have AMS. It's dangerous.? Reducing your elevation is the best way to correct your condition.?? -- Jeffery Yeider
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Yosemite is now requiring permits for cars to enter
Complicates spontaneity, I imagine.?
I'm now contemplating flying to Reno, renting a car there to explore hikes in the National Forests west of there.? Returning the car then taking the bus to Lee Vining and YARTs to Yosemite.? There's a whole day lost.?
Judy McGuire
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Judy, please not that it's only SOME days. And certain hours. I'm sure you can work around it. The gates are not even manned a lot of the time.
April 13 through June 30:?A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19). July 1 through August 16:?A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm every day. - August 17 through October 27:?A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (September 2 and October 14).
Peter M
On Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 09:28:29 PM GMT+7, judithsmcguire <judithsmcguire@...> wrote:
Yosemite is now requiring permits for cars to enter
Complicates spontaneity, I imagine.?
I'm now contemplating flying to Reno, renting a car there to explore hikes in the National Forests west of there.? Returning the car then taking the bus to Lee Vining and YARTs to Yosemite.? There's a whole day lost.?
Judy McGuire
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? When I first did the JMT my only training was biking the hills of Marin multiple times per week. I feel altitude is something you can adjust to fairly quickly (after a day or two) fitness can be made at sea level and that’s ultimately what matters most. I’d say not to overthink it and do your local hikes as often as you can. But getting more time in the mountains is definitely more better if you can swing it.?
E
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On Feb 3, 2024, at 06:39, Peter Montalbano via groups.io <petertrumpet@...> wrote:
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Judy, please not that it's only SOME days. And certain hours. I'm sure you can work around it. The gates are not even manned a lot of the time.
April 13 through June 30:?A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19). July 1 through August 16:?A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm every day. - August 17 through October 27:?A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (September 2 and October 14).
Peter M
On Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 09:28:29 PM GMT+7, judithsmcguire <judithsmcguire@...> wrote:
Yosemite is now requiring permits for cars to enter
Complicates spontaneity, I imagine.?
I'm now contemplating flying to Reno, renting a car there to explore hikes in the National Forests west of there.? Returning the car then taking the bus to Lee Vining and YARTs to Yosemite.? There's a whole day lost.?
Judy McGuire
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Look up the unofficial JMT acclimatization guide which Inga published. ?It is downloadable and is a valuable resource. ??
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On Feb 3, 2024, at 7:49?AM, Eric Duran <edura001@...> wrote:
? ? When I first did the JMT my only training was biking the hills of Marin multiple times per week. I feel altitude is something you can adjust to fairly quickly (after a day or two) fitness can be made at sea level and that’s ultimately what matters most. I’d say not to overthink it and do your local hikes as often as you can. But getting more time in the mountains is definitely more better if you can swing it.?
E On Feb 3, 2024, at 06:39, Peter Montalbano via groups.io <petertrumpet@...> wrote:
?
Judy, please not that it's only SOME days. And certain hours. I'm sure you can work around it. The gates are not even manned a lot of the time.
April 13 through June 30:?A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19). July 1 through August 16:?A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm every day. - August 17 through October 27:?A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (September 2 and October 14).
Peter M
On Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 09:28:29 PM GMT+7, judithsmcguire <judithsmcguire@...> wrote:
Yosemite is now requiring permits for cars to enter
Complicates spontaneity, I imagine.?
I'm now contemplating flying to Reno, renting a car there to explore hikes in the National Forests west of there.? Returning the car then taking the bus to Lee Vining and YARTs to Yosemite.? There's a whole day lost.?
Judy McGuire
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I live in a flat city and my trailing was riding my bike and stairs. I thinks the stairs helped a lot to keep my calves from getting sore from climbing.?
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On Feb 3, 2024, at 9:49 AM, Eric Duran <edura001@...> wrote:
? ? When I first did the JMT my only training was biking the hills of Marin multiple times per week. I feel altitude is something you can adjust to fairly quickly (after a day or two) fitness can be made at sea level and that’s ultimately what matters most. I’d say not to overthink it and do your local hikes as often as you can. But getting more time in the mountains is definitely more better if you can swing it.?
E On Feb 3, 2024, at 06:39, Peter Montalbano via groups.io <petertrumpet@...> wrote:
?
Judy, please not that it's only SOME days. And certain hours. I'm sure you can work around it. The gates are not even manned a lot of the time.
April 13 through June 30:?A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19). July 1 through August 16:?A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm every day. - August 17 through October 27:?A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (September 2 and October 14).
Peter M
On Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 09:28:29 PM GMT+7, judithsmcguire <judithsmcguire@...> wrote:
Yosemite is now requiring permits for cars to enter
Complicates spontaneity, I imagine.?
I'm now contemplating flying to Reno, renting a car there to explore hikes in the National Forests west of there.? Returning the car then taking the bus to Lee Vining and YARTs to Yosemite.? There's a whole day lost.?
Judy McGuire
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I live in New York, just 30 miles as the crow flies from NYC, basically sea level. I head out to the Sierra every year for backpacking trips. My acclimatization regimen consists of taking Diamox as soon as I land in CA and then acclimating in Mammoth Lakes for about 4 days. So far, it's worked every time. There are plenty of places to hike in Mammoth, or you could walk all over town, which is what I usually do. I don't do any strenuous hiking; I leave that for the trail but will walk all the way up Lake Mary Road to Twin Lakes and Horshoe Lake.
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Derek Koonce
Granola
Tim Mulholland
jyeider
Peter Montalbano
Lisa G