Need a backup from Yosemite ASAP recommendations?

Posted by: Tyler200$

Need a backup from Yosemite ASAP recommendations? - 08/03/18 11:26 AM

HELLO

I had a backpacking trip planned (Aug 12-19) for Yosemite but the current fires/smoke look like a problem. I was planning on trying to get a walk up permit for anywhere I got. (Party of 3)

I'm flying into LAX and getting a rental car. I'm open to drive anywhere. Was Hoping to get a high Sierra Mountains view for our trip. We have never been out west before

Question:
What places could you recommend to go backpacking in California. Preferably a loop OR longer trail as we will have 1 car.

Flying in early on the 12th and flying out on the morning of the 19th both at LAX.

Thanks so much!
Posted by: balzaccom

Re: Need a backup from Yosemite ASAP recommendations? - 08/03/18 02:50 PM

Hi Tyler

Good Question.


You are not going to find any guaranteed smoke free hiking anywhere near Yosemite for the next few days or maybe even weeks. They just announced that they have closed ALL roads into Yosemite from the West, so if you are flying into LA, you'll need to drive over to 395 and then North to even enter the park via Tioga Pass on the East side. Sorry that I can't give you better news. Things may improve in the next few days, but these fires are enormous and not going anywhere soon. The smoke does seem slightly less ubiquitous as you head North...

Alternatives? Since you are flying into LA, you could look at SEKI---but there is a fire that has stopped all trips out of Mineral King. The rest of the park is jam packed with people, from what I have heard--overflow from Yosemite.

You might try the John Muir Wilderness or Dinkey Lakes, or Jenny Lakes. Smoke there might not be so bad.

Further North, I would suggest looking at Desolation Wilderness to the West of Lake Tahoe. Beautiful area, lots of granite, lots of lakes, and far enough North that you might not have as much smoke (unless you get it from the Carr Fire up in Redding.) Between Yosemite and Tahoe, the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne Wildernesses all offer some good hiking, Emigrant is closest to Yosemite, both in character and in location--and consequently in potentially smoke skies. Carson-Iceberg and Mokelumne are further North, and while they can offer some wonderful views, do not have the same geology---more volcanic, less granite, than Yosemite.

Last minute permits are probably easiest for Highway 108, which runs between Emigrant and Carson-Iceberg. And if you take 108 over Sonora Pass, you also have access to the Hoover Wilderness which also has great hiking. You can check out all of these destinations on our website, backpackthesierra.com.

If you get up towards Yosemite, you might find that the smoke is less on the East side...drive up 108 and watch the smoke. Stop in at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest Lake and ask for advice, suggestions. If they tell you that all of their trails are still smoky, head up over the pass and check out Leavitt Meadows. Self-register permits at the trailhead for trips up the Walker River towards Tower Peak and Dorothy Lake---great area to explore. And if it is still smoky there, head north on 395 until the smoke stops, then turn West and see what you can find....

Another option is to go up Highway 80 or 50 towards Tahoe--but that's a long drive for you. Stop in at the USFS office in Nevada City (80) or Placerville (50) and ask for current permit and smoke conditions. If the news is bad, go past Tahoe and head South...and follow the same directions as above. There is USFS office in Bridgeport (East of 395 and South of 108) that can give you a good idea of what things are like on the East side.

All of these offices have phones, and will answer them---and answer you questions about current conditions.

http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/

And this just in: Yosemite Valley is being evacuated...

From a post on Yosemite News and Discussion group by someone who is very familiar with the park and its staff:


"Convoys are meeting at El Cap Meadow at 1100am and 1200pm for Wawona exit. May also exit via Crane Flat to Tioga Pass only (this route is dependent on fire behavior and could close at any moment). Must leave the valley by 1200pm today."


Very sad news.
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Need a backup from Yosemite ASAP recommendations? - 08/03/18 03:21 PM

I can't even suggest heading to the Pacific NW. Our fire season has started with a big bang--lots of lightning strikes over the past week. So far, Washington is worse than Oregon, but this could change any time. As of right now, there are no problems with the various Oregon wildernesses (Three Sisters, Mr. Jefferson) except in southern Oregon. You don't have to worry about permits up here (although that is supposed to change next year. Unfortunately, we're a long way from LAX!

I would therefore follow Balzaccom's suggestions, staying far away from Yosemite. Bummer that they're having to evacuate the Valley!

Good luck!
Posted by: Tyler200$

Re: Need a backup from Yosemite ASAP recommendations? - 08/03/18 08:56 PM

Thanks for the information! I will be sure to check all those out! really appreciate it!
Posted by: balzaccom

Re: Need a backup from Yosemite ASAP recommendations? - 08/05/18 11:27 AM

There is now a large fire on Highway 108...mandatory evacuation of Clark Fork, Dardanelles, and Kennedy Meadows:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6092/
Posted by: Rick_D

Re: Need a backup from Yosemite ASAP recommendations? - 08/06/18 02:53 PM

Originally Posted By balzaccom
There is now a large fire on Highway 108...mandatory evacuation of Clark Fork, Dardanelles, and Kennedy Meadows:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6092/


Sucker blew up overnight and is now 12k acres, awaiting resources due to the other various firefights. PCT closed between 108 and Highway 4.

We were literally planning on heading in from Kennedy tomorrow, for a weeklong trip. So much for that....

frown
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Need a backup from Yosemite ASAP recommendations? - 08/07/18 08:31 PM

Current info--not much help to our OP who already has tickets to LAX, but might help others:

So far (no guarantees!) the Cascade Range in Oregon between Willamette Pass and Mt. Hood is OK. That includes several spectacular wilderness areas like the Three Sisters and Mt. Jefferson. Portland would be the obvious flight destination. It's hazy up here from Southern OR and CA smoke, but no problems at ground level. The NWS forecasts a marine push this weekend, so that may go away.

As far as I can find out, the Wallowa Mts. in NE Oregon are fine. They are granite mountains like the Rockies. Unfortunately they are a long way from anywhere--like an 8 hour drive from Portland.

The Washington Cascades have seen a lot of fire starts the past 2 weeks due to dry lightning storms. For some reason, Oregon has lucked out so far, except in the southern part of the state.

Of course fires could start literally any minute in any of these currently smoke-free locations!

I sure hope our OP, Rick, and our other frustrated hikers find something!
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Need a backup from Yosemite ASAP recommendations? - 08/21/18 09:43 PM

As I mentioned, all is subject to sudden change!

Right now most of both Oregon and Washington are covered in thick smoke (to unhealthy levels) and have been since Sunday afternoon. Per the forecasts, marine air will arrive overnight Wednesday/Thursday, with cooler, relatively smoke-free air at least through the weekend.