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Posted by Bill S on January 12, 2008 at 1:58:26 pm EST
In reply to Yosemite, What To Expect, Trip Partners posted by mikekey on January 11, 2008 at 8:26:20 pm EST

Gee Tom, I would have thought you would have spent a lot more time in the Sierra.

Mike, Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon offer an incredible amount of spectacular scenery on a larger number of trails. Yosemite Valley is crowded 365.25 days of the year, and even Tuolumne is crowded starting as soon as the Tioga Road is open (depends on the snowfall, but can be as early as midMay or as late as midJuly). While the Valley is justifiably crowded, because it is so spectacular, you should consider hiking out of Wawona (south part of the Park), the Hetch Hetchy area, or one of the trailheads along the Tioga Road. Going south from Tuolumne down (uphill, but it's south, so "down") Lyell Canyon, with perhaps a loop to Vogelsang is spectacular. Northward toward Waterwheel Falls is also spectacular, but extremely popular, hence usually crowded.

Kings Canyon, out of the South Fork (Cedar Grove), there are a number of hikes in spectacular scenery, though Paradise Valley tends to be crowded, as does Bubbs Creek. Sphinx Creek is not as popular, but more scenic. Mineral King in the south part of Sequoia (Sequoia and Kings Canyon used to be separate parks, so some of us still talk about them that way) is a trailhead for a number of spectacular hikes as well.

One thing to keep in mind is that you will be at significantly higher altitude than in the Appalachians. If you try to head up too fast, you run the risk of AMS. At minimum, this shows up as splitting headache, nausea, maybe vomitting. At worst, it can be fatal. So take it easy the first few days above 7000 ft (the Valley and Cedar Grove are below this, but Tuolumne is 8600 feet. Also, if you plan to stay in one of the car camping sites the first day or so, you better reserve now for anything before July. And for any hiking on the Muir Trail, you better check on the dates, since the permits go fast.

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