YFO 2017 Yosemite Group Ride Planning Thread

[exskibum]

17 feet of new snow reported at Tuolomne Meadows (~9,000' elevation on Tioga Pass (Hwy. 120)) in the last 3 weeks.

Flogging dead horse, of course.

 

[bikerskier]

OK - new subject:
Does anybody know if I can see Giant Cactus without having to go as far south as the desert near Tucson, AR? I don't have to spend a whole day for this - I'd just like to see a few of those plants - maybe pick a road that I could ride among them.

How hot will Death Valley NP be in late May (perhaps in route to YFO)?

Saguaro cactus only grow in the Sonora Desert. No where else on the planet. From north of Phoenix, well south into Mexico. Probably can google it to see the boundaries.

 

[bikerskier]

17 feet of new snow reported at Tuolomne Meadows (~9,000' elevation on Tioga Pass (Hwy. 120)) in the last 3 weeks.
Flogging dead horse, of course.

There were many days in our inglorious past when snow like this would make us tingle all over and pray for first tracks.

 

[Heen]

Hey, it still does!

 

[russperry]

Well Pants, if you enjoyed riding the Dragon you're going to love 191. Maybe stay on 191 all the way to I 40 to continue west.
Not that we like riding the interstate that much. It's just that sections of the mother road RT 66 parallel I 40 along with the associated memorabilia.

Such a fine sight to see - its a girl my lord in a flat bed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me!

 

[SacramentoMike]

a girl my lord in a flat bed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me!

And sped back up again.

:lol:

 

[hppants]

Oh baby - that's cool! I didn't even think about that.

Absolutely adding that to the list. Many thanks.

 

[hppants]

I'm starting to get my act together. Looking at maps, routes, things I want to see, etc. I know it's selfish of me, but Boy-o-boy, I sure wish I could make this a 3 week trip!!

Some time ago, I expressed an interest in doing some day hiking in Yosemite. Based on what I'm looking at now, I can't see myself getting to YFO before Thursday. I could easily be convinced to stay an extra night, and do some hiking when most of other others are heading home. Or I could forego a riding day during YFO and just hang out in the park.

I was wondering if anyone has given this some thought?

Edit - the other thing I'm starting to consider is whether or not bringing the camping gear on this trip would be practical? Between home and YFO, based on my general route anticipation, I can't see camping in the heat. I suppose the climate at YFO might be good, but I'm all set in the lodge with the rest of you. After YFO, I'm planning to run through Utah and Western Colorado. So.... for those of you that know, in early June, will it be comfortable at higher elevations in Utah and Colorado?

 

[Tyler]

You have to have a reservation for the Yosemite sites and if you haven't gotten one yet, you won't be able to now... they book up months in advance. Plus half the fun of these gatherings is hanging out in the parking lot and telling tall tales along with adult libations!

 

[hppants]

Oh - don't misunderstand me. I'm at the lodge for YFO. No camping then. I'm just think about camping in general for the 2 weeks. If the over night low doesn't fall below 70 (and preferably 60), then it's just not comfortable to camp.

 

[SacramentoMike]

It will be below 70 in most any mountain campground--not really a question. I've taken long trips where I brought all my camp gear for the few nights I would be camping, and resolved after the last time I did that not to do so again. Just a lot of extra bulk to pack up and load and carry around. The way I pack, the camp gear is in a big duffel on the back seat, so it has to come off and go inside at night wherever you stay, and has to be left alone on the bike--vulnerable--when you go anywhere (hiking/shopping/dining) during the trip.

I like camping, but it's a lot of extra work on a ride like this. Also, it's hard to get into my side cases with the duffel on the back seat, and it's a real PITA to adjust the bag so I can access those boxes on the road. Finally, if the duffel contained ONLY what I'd want while camping, at least I could just take it off and put it back on undisturbed, but it has never worked out that way. I ALWAYS end up needing to open the duffel in the motel room for some damn thing or another, so I end up having to repack it daily. Way better to devote all the space on this ride to things you'll want to have on the ride and at the destination--there'll be plenty of that, for sure.

One last thing--speaking of stops on the way (e.g. Winslow, AZ), some miles up Rte. 66 from there, before Flagstaff, you'll pass just a few miles by Meteor Crater. It's really worth a stop, IMO. There's a really good private museum that's included in the sort-of-high admission--I think it was $16 or $18, but it's worth some of your time, and the crater itself is amazing, just to see it from the rim and to learn all about it. You're in pretty empty country for a long way in that area, so it's a real local highlight. Me with my midget son:

 

[LCB]

+1 and if you can, Sunset Crater is not too far from there.

I think I used my AAA discount at Meteor Crater...

 

[HIGHLANDER]

Sorry to be the naysayer, because I, too, was hoping to ride 108, 120 and 89 through Lassen during this cluster-feck with other FJRs. (I do plan to ride as far east on Tioga from the cluster base in Mariposa as is open.) But if I were coming from the east, I'd plan an alternate all-season route across the Sierras to get to Mariposa in case the preferred route is still obstructed with cold white stuff.

FWIW, it's snowing here at 3,000 ft. as I write this, too.

* edited to update ytd todals at end of day

Sorry, but I'm with Rich on this one, you eastcoasters need to plan on coming in the Yosemite front door. As of today the snow pac at Sonora pass (HWY 88 ) is 217% of normal, Virginia Lakes ( closer to 120 ) is at 187%. Tioga (9,941 feet ) is "scheduled to be measured " but no date scheduled. All of the sierra ridges over 10,000 feet are all over 200% of normal.

It is scheduled to snow three days this weekend and 4 days next weekend on highway 88 at Kirkwood ski resort,( the other pass which is open) but the road surface is horrible right now.

 

[hppants]

Just so I have no doubt, "front door" means we should approach from the west, essentially coming from the Mariposa Lodge?

My plan is to come up from the southeast (Giant Sequoia).

 

[NTXFJR]

56 days.....

 

[El Toro Joe]

56 days.....

I'm not starting to count, till after the SEO Ramble, and that's 4 weeks from today.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Just so I have no doubt, "front door" means we should approach from the west, essentially coming from the Mariposa Lodge?
My plan is to come up from the southeast (Giant Sequoia).

The Sierra Nevada range (and YNP is right in the middle of the Sierras) runs N-S. To enter the park from the east side you would have to go over some of the highest passes therein, and they will all likely still be closed in early June. Whatever route you choose to get to YNP--and Mariposa, it will be from the west side, all at much lower elevations and will be open, whether you get around the Sierras by a norther route (Tahoe area) or south by Sequoia NP. BTW, you're aware there are three separate groves of giant sequoias within Yosemite itself, right?

Also BTW, you wanted to hike some--there's hiking involved in getting to these groves, so that's two ticks off your bucket list. If you're staying in Cali a while and can head to the coast, that's where all the redwoods are--lots of places. At least as impressive as the sequoias.

 

[puppychow]

Sequoia National Park is worth the vist. Also for Kings Canyon National Park.

The Sequoias in Yosemite are mighty indeed. The ones in Sequoia National Park are "mightier" in my opinion. Either way - in either place, they WILL blow your mind...

General Sherman in SNP:

Can you even See the person walking next to the tree, in comparison?

 

[hppants]

Oh yeah - I've seen those trees before and will see them again this time.

My "wish list" of sights to see has got to shrink. I just can't do everything I want to do in the time I have allotted. It's hard to pick. I mean, it's all candy.... but it's all candy!!!

 

[hppants]

I spent an hour or so last night really concentrating on miles.

I can't do 7,000 miles in 16 days if I want any time to sniff. My "zig zag" pattern going and coming has got to straighten out a lot. I will just have to go back another time.

This is old school, and each map is of its own scale, but I have to tell you, spreading this out on the floor paints a terrific picture.