Yes. I carry a patch kit with me. But, as you probably know, finding a small/slow leak in the field is practically impossible. At least that's been my experience.
Awesome video, I just did this trip a few days ago and loved seeing your recap. To echo what you showed, there's so many spots where you jump off the trail and head closer to all the waterfalls... this hike is almost an embarrassment of riches when it comes to those.
Pretty straightforward really..although it requires a shuttle trip unless YARTS is running. Leave a car in Tuolumne (we left our at Lembert Dome) and take a second car to White Wolf. You have to park along Hwy 120 because White Wolf camp is still closed. From there Hike into White Wolf, down the steep descent to the Tuolumne River. Then head up river to Glen Aulin and exit at Tuolumne Meadows. Here's my CalTopo caltopo.com/m/D39Q9
Anytime one goes into the sierra it's probably smart to have a jacket- particularly above 8K which you'll reach when you get to Glen Aulin. That said, you probably won't need it for most of the trip and might not even use it. It was pretty warm for us. Most of the times I was wearing mine was for bug protection.
The main reason I go backpacking is to be able to swim in lakes, catch-up on reading books while enjoying the warmth of the sun, and watching sunsets/sunrises in peace. I can never do that with mosquitos. So I totally understand cutting your short trip because of them. Hopefully you come out in September to see thousand Island when they're gone!!
The bugs were not bad at all, but I treated my clothes with permethrin. I also brought a topical Benadryl pen that made any mosquito bite I got instantly stop itching. That was a game changer. The weather was a bit rough at times. I had a really bad thunderstorm coming down off of Silver Pass. The fishing was great. The trip was tough, beautiful, and so rewarding.
@@kevinhelfend555 I just got back from the Hoover Wilderness. There were still spots over there that were apocalyptic (mosquitos) and others that were super pleasant but for sure, things are calming down. And yes, we got weather every night as well. Typical Sierra summer afternoon thunderstorms. On the mossie front. I'm one of the lucky guys that doesn't react to bites. Their annoying for sure but I don't get the itchy welts that most folks do. Sounds like you've got a great plan with the Benadryl pen. I haven't heard of that before but will definitely recommend it to friends. Tx for the insight!!!
Beautiful video -- sorry about the skeeters, though! I'm heading up to Thousand Island, Ediza and Iceberg/Cecile/Minaret with my kid in late August. Hoping the bugs have finished their cycle by then. And wow! What a difference in Sierra snowpack at 10-11k when you compare early July 2023 to now!
Yeah, last year was "special" for sure. Things are definitely more normal this year but the bug pressure is like I've never seen before. You'll be good by late August.That's the loop I wanted to do on this pass but it'll have to wait 'till another time. Enjoy it!!!
Yeah, the mosquitos weren't much fun. If it was time off work, I'd have stayed, but I'm fortunate that I'm able to return whenever I like. Heading to Hoover Wilderness in 10 days. Hope I have better luck up there.
4 years ago I got to do Glen Aulin and stayed across on the island just above Waterwheel Falls. It was fabulous!. After that I've been wanting to do the whole Grand Canyon of the Toulumne. I got permits for the past 2 years to do this route, but had to postpone both times, so hopefully next year! 3rd times the charm right?! I was glad to see you stayed near Cathedral Creek as that's where I wanted my 2nd night as well.
Yeah, it was stunning. More beautiful than I expected. Definitely worth the trip. Stream crossings weren't a challenge but feet got wet a few times. There's a bit of a swampy area between the last falls (forget its name) and Glen Aulin. Likely to get wet in there and the mosquitos there were heavy.
I never tire of seeing and experiencing the Sirrea 😊 Beautiful hike you had, and I enjoyed the scenery along the way. I just love hearing the constant sound of running water up there 😊
Wow this is so Professionally executed! Especially for a backpacking scenario. Was it difficult to get a pass to get into these areas? Great music selection as well.
Thanks for the kind comment. It is difficult to get a permit into Cottonwood because JMT folks suck em up. But Cottonwood Lakes is amazing!!! Just keep trying and you'll get a permit. Takes patience.
HA HA!!! Yeah, no. I guess I should have. Broadly speaking I wasn't impressed with the fare at Reds. VVR is THE PLACE on the trail...hands down. Of course I was late season and the place was practically closed. The store was basically empty so not sure I wasn't impacted by all that. Could be....
@@wellseasonedhiker Well, truth be told I never been there.. but I always see photos of their pancakes.. lolool.. Maybe it is VVR that I am thinking about! Hey, I"m getting on in years too - but still backback, going in August for 8 days. Just curious, all that hiking you do - ur HR/BP all good?
John!!! Seriously, the pleasure was all mine. As mentioned, you were the first person that recognized me (my channel) on the trail. It was a bit of a watershed moment for me. One I won't forget. I hope you had enjoyable hike out and a safe drive home. Take Care!!!
Bugs weren’t to bad as a mosquito goes to work on his forehead. Wow that was a lot of water coming through those falls. I haven’t been to HetchHetchy since my college days( 1985). Through your channel and others you have reminded me why I loved backpacking as a young man. Now I am ready to get out there again … we will see how the ol knee holds out.
Yeah, I was going to make a note of that in my comments but forgot. I was laughing at myself. Don't wait too long, It gets pretty warm around Hetch Hetchy by summer time. Or, alternatively the fall. There won't be bugs, but it'll be dry and no difficult streams.
I don't have GPS for you but it was about 100-200 yard before the crossing. There was an obvious use trail down to the river by the time I arrived. If you're late Aug/early Sept this year you won't have any trouble.
Great vid. I especially liked you pointing out various passes from the SHR. I walked this a couple of years ago at 66, but not nearly as fast as you! Great fitness.
Thanks so much for sharing! I'm still in the "dreaming" phase, not yet knowing when I'll be able to hike this amazing section of trail. Your itinerary, however, is nearly identical to what I have proposed. You started out faster than I currently have planned, and made it to Red's one day sooner. Do you think you could have made it from MTR to the end without that Kearsarge resupply?
Definitely could do MTR to Whitney Portal (WP) in 7 days. My resupply at MTR was only 5 days, and Keasarge to WP was only 2 nights. Very doable. The resupply just lightened my pack a little at MTR.
I did a similar route decades ago, except after The Keyhole I turned LEFT (SOUTHEAST) down a hanging valley underneath Mt. Darwin to the SOUTH, then to Lamarck Col, and then back NORTH-EAST to my original Piute Pass Trailhead starting point for a nice loop. You said Gow-th; this is the German philosopher and is pronounced Grrr-terr in German (LOL).
That's a confusing route. You mean Darwin Bench, Darwin Canyon and North to Lamarck Col??? Tx for the pronunciation. I looked it up after your note. Makes perfect sense.
This was awesome! I knew in the first minute I was in for a high quality production, well done! I have a question as I am researching a trip, it appears it took you 5 days to reach Reds Meadow from Happy Isles, would you say this is the right amount of time or would you want to take longer, to go slower or see more sights if you were to do it again? I am trying to determine if I schedule 5 or 6 days. Thank you!
Thanks for the comments on the video. That meant a lot to me. So, actually, I did Happy Isles to Reds in 4 days but would only recommend that for strong hikers that are also acclimated. Also, if your permit calls for Littlle Yosemite Valley for the first night, then definitely 5 days is necessary. Just really depends on what conditions you're in. I sectioned hiked this span with a buddy a couple of years ago (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iaWGr4ws-fY.htmlsi=oObR6xdXfhS9CXOv) and we did it in 6 days. That was super chill and quite comfortable. Probably the biggest challenge is getting through Tuolumne Meadows, where there's no camping once again this year. So a stop a Cathedral Lakes and a stop in Lyell Canyon should be on the itinerary. Good luck on your trip. It's gonna create memories of a lifetime.
@@wellseasonedhiker Thank you for the reply! Yes 4 days is too fast for me I think I am settling on 5 instead of 6 as I need to keep the pace up to finish on time. I hike regularly in the Northeast so the miles are ok but I may need a little time to acclimate to the altitude. Cathedral Lake and Lyell Canyon are planned stops. Thanks again!
Great info absolutely helpful. I recommend you visit the himalayan mountains k2 and Nangaparbat view point from one place moses peak. Add this sound in your bucket list.
I think early Sept is a great start date. You're going to have a great time. My pack, with water and food was about 35 leaving Happy Isles. Base weight I think was around 13-14 pounds because I was late Sept so brought my zero degree quilt, warmer hiking and sleep clothing. I also carried my Helinox chair. :-) Glad you enjoyed the video.
@@wellseasonedhiker. Yeah. Looking forward to it. I’ve done day hikes on the trail before around Yosemite, but without my full pack. Great video. New sub. 👍👍
I get my music off of the Envato (subscription) website. That tune is called "Spaghetti Western" by Andy Slatter and Luca Francini. Glad you enjoyed it and the video 🙂
