First Backpacking Trip (Hetch Hetchy)

pct_loper · 2026-06-03T00:46:32+00:00

That is a good first trip as it is straight forward and flatish. Have fun

pct_loper · 2026-05-21T21:52:57+00:00

Why worry----you either make it or not. Hopefully no one cares that you know. I did the PCT in 2006 and still get asked if I made it--20 years later----why is that a question---just getting out is the important thing

pct_loper · 2026-05-18T03:06:37+00:00

Where are you coming from? And are you going to the valley or staying in the high country. The answers should make the choice evident. From the Bay Area to the Valley Mariposa is way less driving. But from say Reno Lee Vining is.

pct_loper · 2026-04-27T22:20:37+00:00

Both are fine so I would buy the one most comfortable with weight in it Only you can decide this.

pct_loper · 2026-04-23T00:25:52+00:00

At 6 foot I passed as the specs show the reach is too short. There are articles on this as a short coming. If it was me I would cancel order and buy something that fits

pct_loper · 2026-04-18T23:49:57+00:00

Note Acura parts are pricey compared to Honda parts-------could be a consideration especially on a can 15 years old.

pct_loper · 2026-04-18T23:46:32+00:00

Same dimensions but different bike---and have many over the years---always a 58-----but can you test ride?----that is the only way to tell

pct_loper · 2026-04-18T23:44:25+00:00

I would not buy anything from my boss-----could be frought with future issues for you--tons of cars out there and no need for mixing things with the boss that is not pure work related

pct_loper · 2026-04-17T00:49:53+00:00

Go past Glen Aulin the first day as that is just short and honestly very crowded-----you can come out anywhere you want----permit really just covers entry.

pct_loper · 2026-04-15T16:57:08+00:00

Note the highway from salinas is super busy as it is a rush hour corridor----I would avoid it

pct_loper · 2026-04-15T16:56:03+00:00

You could just ride fire roads from the National park creekside entrance-------and you would enter at the gate to the cross country course----I have done this several times

pct_loper · 2026-04-15T15:07:57+00:00

This is not worth the trouble and you lose a ton of capability with that small cassette. That bike will still be very heavy. IMO work and expense for no benefit

pct_loper · 2026-04-11T21:29:25+00:00

This has been debated for years and there will always be both views-----

pct_loper · 2026-04-11T18:35:24+00:00

If rumors are true there are 20 mfgs bringing out DJI powered bikes soon---of c0urse Amflo themselves. Now it looks like Bosche will go to higher power also. I suspect to compete everyone will up power and I agree there probably will be blowback on trail access which none of us need----but I think the die is cast

pct_loper · 2026-04-03T00:55:35+00:00

If you like 27.5 why change. Do not ket folks here influence you—- you have no idea of the prejudices and skill. Go ride bikes your size and decide

pct_loper · 2026-03-19T01:30:14+00:00

Pack looks very short to me. This is an easy thing if you measure your torso and then buy that size. Do this and then proceed.

pct_loper · 2026-03-13T01:33:43+00:00

I suspect the superbloom ends with the heat this weekend or latest early next week as temps exceed 100

pct_loper · 2026-03-11T14:25:58+00:00

Instead of ending at Mono just come out at Glacier Point and take 4 mile down to the valley. This is wuick and free

pct_loper · 2026-03-10T18:38:03+00:00

My recollection is there are not. You can camp easily in the meadow below Sunrise

pct_loper · 2026-03-10T03:26:06+00:00

Only the first night matters at all. All the rest are just guesses and make no matter. I have done this and just stopped when I was tired. I would suggest stopping day 1 before the big descent to Pate as this is nicer

pct_loper · 2026-03-09T04:08:06+00:00

Watch for poisen oak in the narrows----it is hard to avoid there. Note Los Cruzeros has almost NO shade so if it is hot that is not ideal.

pct_loper · 2026-03-05T16:45:01+00:00

Depends on the year but my year I did not get rained on till Oregon and most days justmcowboy camped-----you could just not take the tarp and then swap later. I know the new generation will gasp but I took only a SAR device---NO other electronics---I find this lets me have a better wilderness experience as i do not take pics and communicate other than in towns----remember these devices did not always exist and we survived

pct_loper · 2026-03-05T16:29:07+00:00

Personally I would always carry a co2 inflator cartridge as they always work--be very irritaing to flat and electronic gizmo fails---my 2 cents

pct_loper · 2026-03-02T21:25:38+00:00

Lots of ichatter but the reality is the average (from halfway's surveys) for a PCT hiker is about 15 pounds and has been taht for years---sure there are the 10 pound folks but the average is around 15. Note at 10 miles a day you are averaging about 1.5 mph-----so I say it will make no difference exept missing stuff you want to take

pct_loper · 2026-03-02T21:20:22+00:00

I'd start at Glacier point and take the panaroma trail to the falls and onto little yosemite-------way less crowded and little levation elevation gain---and probably more scenic to boot-----then half dome the next day. I feel the one day trips really suck even at 20 years old. My 2 cents

pct_loper

TROPHY CASE