Hiked it in sections with my Scout troop as a Scout and decades laters as a Scoutmaster. The 71 mile section as a Scout leader was epic. After finishing the hike in Tuolumne Meadows after night fall, my Scouts found spaces to lay out their sleeping bags intermixed with college women from Stanford. Most of our crew were ages 14-16 boys. When they woke up next to an attractive young hiker putting on her sports bra I heard-"Thank you, Mr. Sagehorn!" from two of my boys. We took the bus to Yosemite Valley, picked up our clothes box we had mailed to the post office, and headed to the hot showers, soap, and towels at Camp Curry. Clean and hungry we ate cheeseburgers and fries. We walked to the Amtrak bus stop and took the northbound San Joaquin train to the East Bay city where we all lived. Great trip.
1981 myself, my brother and 2 friends hiked the TYT using Winnets book. We did skip the section from Hwy 4 to Hwy 108 which I hope to hike before I am too old. Recently purchased the old paperback Wilderness Press guidebook which brings back great memories. I hope you have success in your endeavor to hike the TYT. I look forward to watching your videos. Safe travels to you.
Thanks for sharing that! That's great. Carson Pass to 4 is next on the list but between the crazy snow last year and the extreme heat right now, I don't know when I'm going to get back to it but I sure am trying!
As a 15 year old I hiked the TYT in 1976 from Meeks Bay to Lake Alpine with a large group that was raising money for the Lung Association. I remember one hiker by the name of Orvis who was always one of the trailblazers and was well into his seventies at that time. He gave us greenhorns advice and generally led by example about how to conduct yourself in the wilderness. The trail was very sketchy from Round Top to Camp Irene on the Mokelumne River - we did a lot of bushwacking that day. When we finally reached the Mokelumne I tied a large fly onto my spinning outfit and low and behold! Pulled in a 16 inch Brown trout. I haven't hiked that stretch since but have gone in from Lake Alpine - what a wild and lovely place. Good luck on your adventure - looking forward to it
DOUG! I am SO interested in this. This is fascinating. I can't wait to follow more of this journey, and to be honest, something has sparked in side myself as I watch and I think I may need to look into this route myself! Thank you for sharing!
I have vacationed in the general vicinity many times throughout my life, so I completely understand your enthusiasm about the project. Personally, I find this one of the most interesting adventures. More interesting than most through-hikes. Alpacka makes 2lb packrafts that look tough enough for river crossings. There is still a risk of falling in, but if you don't lose your tent then you can recover. If you hike with a partner then two people could move the packs across on a line, which should be a reliable way to protect your gear. Probably a lone hiker could also use a line; just more complicated.
@@BackcountryPilgrim My thinking here is that your pack is your lifeline when you are more than a day's hike from the road. You cannot afford to risk it (especially shelter and sleep system). YOU can get a little wet as long as you can quickly pitch camp and get a fire started. Might not be fun, but is usually survivable. Losing your pack would be time to call for a helicopter. Too bad your satellite device was in your pack... Might even be worthwhile to pack a lightweight personal flotation vest. You know what you're doing and you're careful, so no real worries. Just the Boy Scout in me being prepared for anything. PS: Tip from military operators: You can use your WPB shell (GoreTex) to dry stuff in the field. Put the wet stuff on your body, put the shell over the wet stuff, and get inside your tent. With no water on the outside of the shell, the WPB will work optimally to transport moisture from inside to outside of the shell. Shazam: Field Dryer powered by body heat! (Depending on humidity it might take a day or two, but it will work. Similar can be done with a synthetic sleeping bag. I wouldn't try it with down.)
2002 Winnett route alumni here - took a xerox of his maps. Back then there were no GPS or smart phones. Even though 2002 wasn't that long ago, technology today has made things like this a lot easier IMO. Started in Yosemite (northbound). The non-PCT part is awesome. I wouldn't hesitate doing it again maintained or not. I think I did it in August. Stayed in Lake Alpine lodge and resupplied there along with Kennedy Meadows North. Had to walk up the road from KM to St. Mary's Pass. Someone offered me a ride near the top but I told them no since I had almost walked up the entire road.
Great project in tribute to your dad! He was always so proud of you and would surely continue to be. Can't wait to see the videos of your future TYT hikes!
We hiked portions of the unmaintained trail from Carson Pass to Lake Alpine two years ago and then the potions from Lake Alpine to St. Mary’s pass last year. This completed my entire journey of the TYT from Meeks Bay to Curry Village which I started in 1974 (I’m in my 60’s now). The portion from Carson Pass to Lake Alpine should not be attempted alone and is not for the beginning backpacker. This section is essentially a ducked route through Summit City Canyon to Camp Irene. It requires immediate to advance trail skills. But the end results can be spectacular. We literally stumbled upon and old growth of Giant Sequioas in the “Enchanted forest.” The other sections that are extremely challenging are the portion of the trail from Lake Alpine to Highland creek. Fire damage in the 1990s all but obliterated the trail just past Duck lake. I don’t think a trail crew has been there in 30 years. We didn’t re-acquire the trail until Rock Lake. The trail has be overtaken by small Christmas tree farm re-forestation. The last portion up and out the Clark Fork headwaters to St. Marys pass is also a ducked route requiring intermediate to advance trail stills. The TYT vanishes just past the Boulder Creek/Lake trail junction and is ducked all the way to St. Mary’s Pass. It is doable but again, should not be attempted unless you want to make the challenge.
Wow thank you for sharing this! I'd love to talk to you about your experience. If you'd be open to that shoot me an email at backcountrypilgrim@gmail.com and we'll set up a chat. :)
Doug, glad that you found my map in Caltopo, hope that it was of help. I have been planing the TYT for several years, I started last year on August 15, two months before you, but I only made it to Showers Lake due to some leg problem. I am planing to continue it this summer in August, starting from Echo Summit and hopefully reaching Tuolomne Meadows 2 weeks later.
That was yours?!?!?! Fantastic! Thank you so much, your sections helped me get started planning my own. Shoot me an email sometime if you want, love to swap stories! Plus I'd like to know more about the off trail section. :) Backcountrypilgrim@gmail.com
Great video Doug, I hiked the TYT in 1977 with three fraternity brothers. We started at Meeks Bay and made our way to Yosemite and then to Mount Whitney. Somehow we found our way with no sign of the trail at one point. I hiked the same route in 2013 by myself but used the PCT instead of the TYT.
Hiked it in sections with my Scout troop as a Scout and decades laters as a Scoutmaster. The 71 mile section as a Scout leader was epic. After finishing the hike in Tuolumne Meadows after night fall, my Scouts found spaces to lay out their sleeping bags intermixed with college women from Stanford. Most of our crew were ages 14-16 boys. When they woke up next to an attractive young hiker putting on her sports bra I heard-"Thank you, Mr. Sagehorn!" from two of my boys. We took the bus to Yosemite Valley, picked up our clothes box we had mailed to the post office, and headed to the hot showers, soap, and towels at Camp Curry. Clean and hungry we ate cheeseburgers and fries. We walked to the Amtrak bus stop and took the northbound San Joaquin train to the East Bay city where we all lived. Great trip.
Man, not enough E's in EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1981 myself, my brother and 2 friends hiked the TYT using Winnets book. We did skip the section from Hwy 4 to Hwy 108 which I hope to hike before I am too old. Recently purchased the old paperback Wilderness Press guidebook which brings back great memories. I hope you have success in your endeavor to hike the TYT. I look forward to watching your videos. Safe travels to you.
Thanks for sharing that! That's great. Carson Pass to 4 is next on the list but between the crazy snow last year and the extreme heat right now, I don't know when I'm going to get back to it but I sure am trying!
Great way to honor your dad. I have hiked the TYT 3 times. I will probably hike it again one day.
Oh man I'd love to talk to you about it. If you would be up for it you can email me at backcountrypilgrim@gmail.com!
As a 15 year old I hiked the TYT in 1976 from Meeks Bay to Lake Alpine with a large group that was raising money for the Lung Association. I remember one hiker by the name of Orvis who was always one of the trailblazers and was well into his seventies at that time. He gave us greenhorns advice and generally led by example about how to conduct yourself in the wilderness. The trail was very sketchy from Round Top to Camp Irene on the Mokelumne River - we did a lot of bushwacking that day. When we finally reached the Mokelumne I tied a large fly onto my spinning outfit and low and behold! Pulled in a 16 inch Brown trout. I haven't hiked that stretch since but have gone in from Lake Alpine - what a wild and lovely place. Good luck on your adventure - looking forward to it
That sounds amazing! Yeah I think that bushwacking part is still there haha. Thank you so much for sharing this!
DOUG! I am SO interested in this. This is fascinating. I can't wait to follow more of this journey, and to be honest, something has sparked in side myself as I watch and I think I may need to look into this route myself!
Thank you for sharing!
Come on down man!
Hello from Australia ❤👋😊🙏🚐nice video 🙏😊
Thank you!
I have vacationed in the general vicinity many times throughout my life, so I completely understand your enthusiasm about the project.
Personally, I find this one of the most interesting adventures. More interesting than most through-hikes.
Alpacka makes 2lb packrafts that look tough enough for river crossings. There is still a risk of falling in, but if you don't lose your tent then you can recover. If you hike with a partner then two people could move the packs across on a line, which should be a reliable way to protect your gear.
Probably a lone hiker could also use a line; just more complicated.
I might have to look that up!
@@BackcountryPilgrim My thinking here is that your pack is your lifeline when you are more than a day's hike from the road. You cannot afford to risk it (especially shelter and sleep system).
YOU can get a little wet as long as you can quickly pitch camp and get a fire started. Might not be fun, but is usually survivable.
Losing your pack would be time to call for a helicopter. Too bad your satellite device was in your pack...
Might even be worthwhile to pack a lightweight personal flotation vest.
You know what you're doing and you're careful, so no real worries. Just the Boy Scout in me being prepared for anything.
PS: Tip from military operators: You can use your WPB shell (GoreTex) to dry stuff in the field. Put the wet stuff on your body, put the shell over the wet stuff, and get inside your tent. With no water on the outside of the shell, the WPB will work optimally to transport moisture from inside to outside of the shell. Shazam: Field Dryer powered by body heat!
(Depending on humidity it might take a day or two, but it will work. Similar can be done with a synthetic sleeping bag. I wouldn't try it with down.)
Cool idea on the goretex! I'm not going to swim a river with gear and I won't do that section by myself so we'll figure something out! :)
@@BackcountryPilgrim For wade-able crossings there are also Wiggy's Waders. One pound backpacking waders that go over your boots and trousers.
2002 Winnett route alumni here - took a xerox of his maps. Back then there were no GPS or smart phones. Even though 2002 wasn't that long ago, technology today has made things like this a lot easier IMO.
Started in Yosemite (northbound). The non-PCT part is awesome. I wouldn't hesitate doing it again maintained or not. I think I did it in August.
Stayed in Lake Alpine lodge and resupplied there along with Kennedy Meadows North. Had to walk up the road from KM to St. Mary's Pass. Someone offered me a ride near the top but I told them no since I had almost walked up the entire road.
That's awesome!!! If you have any tips for the off trail lemme know!
Those books you showed that your Dad gave you look like gold!
100% :)
Sounds like a great adventure ... I'll definitely watch for & watch the videos as you publish them ...
Thanks!
Great project in tribute to your dad! He was always so proud of you and would surely continue to be. Can't wait to see the videos of your future TYT hikes!
I wish he could see them too. :)
Yes! Absolutely interested in following your TYT adventure!
Welcome aboard!
We hiked portions of the unmaintained trail from Carson Pass to Lake Alpine two years ago and then the potions from Lake Alpine to St. Mary’s pass last year. This completed my entire journey of the TYT from Meeks Bay to Curry Village which I started in 1974 (I’m in my 60’s now). The portion from Carson Pass to Lake Alpine should not be attempted alone and is not for the beginning backpacker. This section is essentially a ducked route through Summit City Canyon to Camp Irene. It requires immediate to advance trail skills. But the end results can be spectacular. We literally stumbled upon and old growth of Giant Sequioas in the “Enchanted forest.” The other sections that are extremely challenging are the portion of the trail from Lake Alpine to Highland creek. Fire damage in the 1990s all but obliterated the trail just past Duck lake. I don’t think a trail crew has been there in 30 years. We didn’t re-acquire the trail until Rock Lake. The trail has be overtaken by small Christmas tree farm re-forestation. The last portion up and out the Clark Fork headwaters to St. Marys pass is also a ducked route requiring intermediate to advance trail stills. The TYT vanishes just past the Boulder Creek/Lake trail junction and is ducked all the way to St. Mary’s Pass. It is doable but again, should not be attempted unless you want to make the challenge.
Wow thank you for sharing this! I'd love to talk to you about your experience. If you'd be open to that shoot me an email at backcountrypilgrim@gmail.com and we'll set up a chat. :)
Doug, glad that you found my map in Caltopo, hope that it was of help.
I have been planing the TYT for several years, I started last year on August 15, two months before you,
but I only made it to Showers Lake due to some leg problem. I am planing to continue it this summer
in August, starting from Echo Summit and hopefully reaching Tuolomne Meadows 2 weeks later.
That was yours?!?!?! Fantastic! Thank you so much, your sections helped me get started planning my own. Shoot me an email sometime if you want, love to swap stories! Plus I'd like to know more about the off trail section. :) Backcountrypilgrim@gmail.com
Great video Doug, I hiked the TYT in 1977 with three fraternity brothers. We started at Meeks Bay and made our way to Yosemite and then to Mount Whitney. Somehow we found our way with no sign of the trail at one point. I hiked the same route in 2013 by myself but used the PCT instead of the TYT.
That's great! Pretty much the best of the best for California!
Sounds like a ton of fun
I can't wait!
Impressive
We'll see! :)
I was planning on hiking the Tahoe TO Yosemite trail in 2023 as a thru hike. But you’ve me thinking……
Well when I get done with the off trail I'll let you know if it's worth it haha!
Those darn World Wars sure mess things up.
Yes, very inconvenient. ;)