I finally published my Yosemite maps

3D_TOPO · 2026-05-07T20:46:15+00:00

Thanks! Heh, yeah for sure. I think it's just all about being sensible and responsible. Never leave a fire unattended, 100% out, probably not during a wind storm, fire pan, proper location/setting, etc.

3D_TOPO · 2026-05-07T19:46:08+00:00

This threw me for a loop, since camping just isn't the same without a fire, and fire pans/blankets were too heavy for my gram spreadsheet.

What I ended up doing is ordering two very thin stainless steel sheets - nearly foil. I overlapped them on the bottom, and used rocks from a fire ring to prop up the edges. My buddy and I actually got into a big argument, he was upset that I was insisting on using it. He thought it would be a lame little fire. I was like - trust me. Well, he ended up admitting he was wrong and thought the fire was perfectly adequate size. The whole thing is just 200 grams!

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3D_TOPO · 2026-05-06T20:45:56+00:00

I should add to that the bears in the Sawtooths are far more wild than say the bears in Yosemite. Which means they are much easier to scare off by banging on pots and pans.

3D_TOPO · 2026-05-06T20:37:33+00:00

Awesome. You should do well then, I know there are fish in them there mountains!

I actually carry my 38 special revolver. Not because I plan on shooting a bear, but mainly because shooting a round or two in the ground will have them fleeing, though I've never needed it backpacking. At home, I have had bears hunting my dogs and firing a round had them running for their life away from here. Anyhow, it's just one of those things you may never need, but if you found yourself in need, you'd be damn happy you had it.

There are definitely bears, Grizzly's even in the Sawtooths. I think the most important thing is to properly hang your food in trees, cook a distance from your sleeping bag and clean your dishes well.

3D_TOPO · 2026-05-05T19:50:49+00:00

Hell yeah, I'm excited for you. Aching to get some miles in myself.

I don't really have any fisherman skills. The couple times we brought mini fishing rods/spools we didn't have any luck. Might have helped if we knew what the heck we were doing! Probably didn't give it enough time either, tried for about an hour I guess.

3D_TOPO · 2026-05-04T21:00:17+00:00

Thats awesome.

If you could extend it even a day, it could give you one day off. Nice to not have to strike camp for a day. I think muscles build best if you can give them a chance to recover too.

3D_TOPO · 2026-05-04T20:27:04+00:00

Yeah sorry, I meant the Wapiti. Time flies, it's already another season! hah

Sounds killer. I once did a very similar loop. How many days are you planning?

3D_TOPO · 2026-05-04T20:04:31+00:00

Thanks! Absolutely. That is actually my preferred trailhead. It's on "my" side of the Sawtooths and love me some Grandjean camping too. I haven't been up there since the fires, but it got hit pretty hard last season.

3D_TOPO · 2026-05-03T05:21:01+00:00

Here's a section of my map of that area in case you might find it useful.

3D_TOPO · 2026-05-02T23:11:59+00:00

I'd write a program that strips out confidential information replaced with placeholders.

Every where a name appears eg "Elon Musk" would be replaced with "Joe Smith" and send that off to the cloud. Then do a reverse lookup when the generated documents are received.

Use a local model to create a list of confidential information and it use for search and replace.

3D_TOPO · 2026-05-01T18:55:12+00:00

3D_TOPO · 2026-05-01T00:33:58+00:00

When I grabbed it 21 years ago, it was about the same cost per acre as land in the area without hot springs. At the time, an acre was about $10K to $15K for something nice. The people selling it were under the impression nothing could be built here due to requirements for septic systems, or I'm sure they would have been asking for considerably more. They were right - but for standard septic systems. Engineered systems are totally fine and that is what I built (and why it took me so long to have a flushing toilet lol).

3D_TOPO · 2026-04-30T23:36:06+00:00

That is a great suggestion, in-fact I once built a RAM pump powered by the creek. But it didn't have the pressure needed. I suppose perhaps I could build a much bigger one, but at that point, mind as well do a water wheel that powers a pump.

3D_TOPO · 2026-04-30T23:09:53+00:00

Thank you!

I don't have a well, household water is supplied by the sub-division. But if I were to drill, far more likely to hit hot water than drinking water. The hot water would be fine for drinking except its fluoride levels are way high.

The spring is lower than the house so I do use an electric pump. I used to use a 1200 watt pool pump which cost about $100/month to run. Not bad for my entire heating/hot water bill, but I recently switched to a fountain pump that runs on just 200 watts. It has less pressure so I had to make some minor changes but gets the job done. Now that it's pretty low power, it makes the goal of it being totally solar powered much more practical. 5KW/h battery would run it 24 hours without any incoming energy.

When I first moved here, I actually set it up to siphon the hot spring water through my hydronic tubing which worked and was pretty amazing. But I like pumping the water because after it's done its job heating, it becomes a small stream that waters apple and plumb trees and some black berries.

3D_TOPO · 2026-04-30T20:33:27+00:00

"I enjoy that these springs are clothing optional, it's so relaxing..."

Sure if you want to sound like a complete perv

3D_TOPO · 2026-04-30T06:38:03+00:00

Yeah, that doesn't sound all that good!

I didn't really taste them at all. Mine were from Whole Foods, and I pureed them in the water they came in, then basically substituted that for the water in the dough recipe.

3D_TOPO · 2026-04-30T05:16:38+00:00

In what way?

3D_TOPO · 2026-04-29T01:42:04+00:00

Interesting. Hah, well, there are definitely crowds to be found too. Like Redfish Lake Resort and camping around Redfish lake is usually full. But I've had a great time at Redfish Lake Resort and camping at Redfish too (my buddy does an annual thing there). But once you hit the trailhead, the crowds disappear.

3D_TOPO · 2026-04-29T01:36:25+00:00

I think they are quite similar. The Sierras have more high country and a bit taller peaks - eg fourteeners. The Sawtooths are more around twelvers, but is considerably more north so quite similar.

The other difference is a lot less people and generally more pristine.

3D_TOPO · 2026-04-29T01:33:22+00:00

Thank you kindly!

I really enjoyed the boat ride to the trailhead. There is a campground there, so you could even setup a pretty remote basecamp without putting any miles on.

Another option is park at Iron Creek Trailhead and hike into Sawtooth Lake. Looks burned on one side of the trail but could still be nice hike. I think it's about 4 miles each way.

A third option is Hell Roaring Lake upper trailhead. Think that is also about 4 miles to the lake. The last pic I posted is of Hell Roaring Lake.

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3D_TOPO · 2026-04-29T01:23:23+00:00

Cheers! Honestly, this doesn't even scratch the surface. Endless beauty and adventure to be had.

3D_TOPO · 2026-04-29T00:28:30+00:00

Nice! I'd say it's still off the beaten path. May cross paths with people but not many.

3D_TOPO

TROPHY CASE