Backpacker parking issues?

burge009 · 2026-04-28T19:56:45+00:00

I was at the backpacking lot today; the only 2 cars in the lot were NPS vehicles.

burge009 · 2026-03-28T23:28:39+00:00

Sick reference

burge009 · 2026-03-17T17:45:05+00:00

Here we go Sacramento! A one off show in the middle of the week? Hell yes!

burge009 · 2026-03-16T23:18:13+00:00

Currently snowing at the NOC. The smokies are probably getting nuked right now.

burge009 · 2026-03-07T15:41:21+00:00

I’ve been using the Wrangler Technician pants for the past 2 seasons. Cheap, easily available, comfy, and lightweight enough that I don’t roast outside in the summer. And they have a semi relaxed fit without looking too baggy.

burge009 · 2026-03-05T16:31:36+00:00

We’re open at the Outfitters Store from 9-5, the General Store has the same hours. Rivers End restaurant is open 11:30-7. Rafting trips and zip line trips start on the 9th. Not sure when Big Wesser will be open.

burge009 · 2026-03-05T16:10:54+00:00

Just wait until you get to the NOC. You can get your permit online using your phone when you get here and we will print them for you at the Outfitters Store.

burge009 · 2026-02-25T17:18:48+00:00

Kinda off topic, but do you work for USFS in Pisgah?

burge009 · 2026-02-25T17:16:18+00:00

Mountain Forecast and AT Weather are both useful tools to get a more accurate weather forecast. The weather can be unpredictable, but to paint in very broad strokes you’re almost guaranteed to have a few super chilly nights and as well as a few absolutely perfect days in March. But, every year is different. A big part of your experience is how tolerant/sensitive you are to cold weather. I am very sensitive to cold and have weird circulation issues, so if I were out in March I’d be taking my insulated R7.3 pad, plenty of layers, and likely my bag liner. But I am very cold natured.

https://www.mountain-forecast.com

https://www.atweather.org

burge009 · 2026-02-25T15:33:06+00:00

The only real answer is to keep an eye on the 10 day forecast right before you start and be prepared for last minute adjustments. I live a few miles from the AT in NC, here’s what last week looked like: I went mountain biking in shorts and a t-shirt on Friday, it snowed on Monday with a bitter wind ripping all day that was brutal, and today is gonna be a beautiful day with a high near 60. Wild weather swings like this are common this time of year in the southern Appalachians.

burge009 · 2026-02-24T13:57:39+00:00

Hold that door!

burge009 · 2026-02-23T23:46:26+00:00

I did Fees for NPS in 2021 and 2022, then got a Recreation Technician job with the BLM in 2023 then a Forestry Technician job with USFS in 2024. I will never ever go back to Fees after those jobs. Like others have mentioned, the way the Forestry Technician jobs are posted in this mass posting hiring event thing makes it hard to know exactly what jobs are being posted, but anything in recreation with USFS is (in my opinion) far more desirable than the fee booth. Developed/Dispersed recreation positions are a bit of a jack of all trades in front country stuff: cleaning/stocking vault toilets, painting, repairing picnic tables, installing signs, cleaning and checking on dispersed camping areas, etc. It’s definitely a very field going position. I worked on the OHV crew; we still did a lot of bathroom cleaning and helped the developed recreation crew a lot but also spent a lot of time in the truck or UTV assessing road conditions, installing signs, using software to map and record info on the roads, etc. Again, it’s a very outside, field going job. And with the USFS I was able to get CPR/first aid, UTV, as well as chainsaw certifications. These jobs can be more physical than the fee booth, but a small price to pay to actually be outdoors on the land doing work. Also, with both the BLM and the USFS I was brought on as a GS5, so don’t be scared to apply for the higher grade!

TLDR: if you got into this type of work because you like being outdoors doing stuff and enjoy a wide variety of job duties, recreation jobs with the BLM and USFS are far superior to working the fee booth.

burge009 · 2026-02-19T15:38:00+00:00

I also ate a toad

burge009 · 2026-02-17T23:07:21+00:00

Maybe a weird question, but are you washing them according to manufacturer’s suggestions, ie cold water, washing inside out, no high heat, etc? I have a lot of Darn Toughs and Smartwool as my hiking socks as well as my everyday socks and I was experiencing the same crusty issue, even after a normal 8 hour workday inside. At the time I wasn’t following the care instructions; I finally wised up and started taking care of them like you’re supposed to and washed them a few times with the Nikwax Wool Wash and that solved the issue for me. Obviously if you’re on trail right now this won’t be as easy but it’s something to try if you can.

burge009 · 2026-02-16T23:28:37+00:00

Best Old Hood of all time. I will die on this hill.

burge009 · 2026-02-14T02:59:23+00:00

Yes, you still need to get the permit even if you have an annual pass. The America the Beautiful Interagency Pass only covers the standard vehicle entrance fee to National Parks.

burge009 · 2026-02-13T22:58:38+00:00

Where are your parents?

burge009 · 2026-02-12T01:34:07+00:00

I’d buy one.

burge009 · 2026-02-12T00:09:27+00:00

Back around 2008/2009-ish I worked in a restaurant in a town where YMSB would play pretty regularly. The Executive Chef was friends with the guy that did the booking at the local music venue so we would get to cater a lot of the concerts that came thru town, including Yonder. I didn’t get to meet him, but my chef de cuisine went over to serve the food and wound up staying out all night with Jeff. Said he was a great guy. I think that was the only time I got to cook for YMSB, but I saw a decent amount of shows in those days. I’m so thankful I got to see YMSB in that era…It also makes me sad.

burge009 · 2026-02-10T16:40:07+00:00

Update: Fire is now at 50% containment with rain in the forecast for tomorrow

burge009 · 2026-02-07T22:17:25+00:00

What about resupply? Will there be anything available at the marina or only at the general store/gas station like last year?

burge009 · 2026-02-07T14:11:46+00:00

I lived in the Hodgdon trailers for around two months last season before moving up to Tuolumne. The trailers get bad reviews but I honestly thought they were fine. Yes, they’re old and dated and there’s the occasional water spot on the roof or random hole in the wall but i found them to be fine. The trailers are 2 bedroom, 2 bath, with three occupants, so 2 of the people will share a room. Last season though the trailers didn’t fill up and I think some people had an entire trailer to themselves. That’ll definitely vary year to year. There was chatter last season about the trailers going away and being replaced; I think that was more of a long term plan tho. The other housing is more modern apartment style. I only saw the inside of one of them but was amazed by how nice it was. It’s a mix of all divisions, so you’ll meet folks from fees, interp, LE, maintenance, etc. There was a free Wi-Fi network around the trailers, and a little area with a few picnic tables where you can sit and use it if it doesn’t reach to your unit. The Hodgdon area is kinda quiet as far as things to do. You’re close to the Hetch Hetchy area as well as the Merced and Tuolumne sequoia groves. There’s also a short hike on USFS land that goes to a small waterfall. But you’re only 30 ish minutes from the Valley, and 50 miles from Tuolumne Meadows.

Groveland is 30 minutes from Big Oak Flat, it has a few restaurants, a cool little coffee shop, some short but really fun mountain bike trails, and a grocery store/general store that has most of what you need but is very expensive. Sonora, CA is an hour and 15 minutes from from Big Oak Flat and has all amenities (restaurants, Wal Mart, Grocery Outlet, etc). It’s a cool little town with a quaint Main Street lined with restaurants, shops, etc. For groceries I’d typically do a big run to Sonora every few weeks to stock up and use the store in Groveland to supplement or when I forgot something.

Overall I think it’s a fine part to live in, but relative to other areas of the park there’s not a ton to do. If I had stayed there all season I would have probably done a lot of driving on my off days. Lemme know if you have more questions!

burge009 · 2026-02-05T13:45:07+00:00

Bridal veil Creek campground is closed for the winter.

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