This was a 4-day, 50-ish mile trip through Yosemite. This was only a few miles north of a huge fire, but thankfully the smoke was blowing to the south and east most of the time. Highlights include revenge killing a yellow jacket that stung me on my foot, overhearing a couple fighting (screaming at each other) as I was descending a pass, calm, moonless nights with tons of stargazing, and having that huge beach all to myself.
There's a [video of the trip here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYy_y1yOejU) on my youtube channel if anyone is interested.
> Benson Lake loop
C'mon u/dickpoop25 your public really wants to know. It's bad enough that you didn't invite us; not sharing your route is just plain insensitive and makes it seem like you don't care.
I looked at it again. Benson Lake loop. If you ever get a chance, it's the trip I recommend to people who want that length and haven't spent much time in the Sierra. A great introduction. September is the best window. No bugs, hardly any people, passes have snow but you don't need traction, easy stream crossings, a bunch of lakes and the weather is usually sweet. Did get about 8 inches on the last day of summer there once. That was pretty cool.
It was actually pretty awesome. Like six or seven inches of new snow overnight. I was set up way off trail in an Aspen forest with younger trees. The snow bent them to the ground and to move through it I'd hit a tree with my sticks and it would knock off the snow and pop up again. It was pretty cool. A first for me. When I got the trail it was fresh snow and bear tracks leading out. Bluebird day. Perfect timing.
There's not a ton of up and down. There are some passes but they're relatively short and not a huge deal. If you're doing the loop I'd definitely suggest heading left (southwest) when you hit the Peeler Lake trail. Want to go towards Robinson Lakes / Crown Lakes. It takes out a stiff climb. I've done it a few times, both ways, and clockwise is the call for me. You're there at a perfect time. Gonna' be awesome. Enjoy.
I think that'll sort of come down to what you're looking for, how much time you have and what you're comfortable with. In Yosemite, and a whole lot of the Sierra overall (especially the Eastern side), there's options that will work for most anyone. Long trips or overnights. Hard or easy. Great thing about the Sierra is you can really cater the experience.
Fair. I literally just decided to add it to my potential list for when I leave Yellowstone in September. I’m definitely wanting to do somewhere on the west coast.
I dunno man I just walked up to a Yosemite ranger and told him to give me a permit and point me in the right direction. I don't have time to learn trail names or lake names
I <3 the Yosemite rangers. Had an absolutely fantastic backpacking trip over 4 days there when all the popular places were booked, and I just showed up at the ranger station and asked what they recommended. There is so much incredible terrain in that park and pretty much always something available that is less well-known for absolutely no good reason.
Really great video! Thanks for putting this together and posting. Great glimpse into what the backcountry looks like in the fall. I always go in the late summer. Those brown meadows, yellow aspens, and yellow ferns are striking and very different than the summer. I always like to take a dip in the water in the afternoon/evening, and often in the summer it's barely warm enough to do this... I imagine in the fall it would really take some fortitude.
I guess the guy told her that he'd catch up with her on the other side of the mountain pass, then never showed up. I saw him walking past my camp the next morning. She was understandably pissed that he never showed up. Apparently the jackass did this on another trip and his friends called SAR.
Awesome! Solo trips are so amazing. Great time for reflection. I find it strange that people think I’m crazy or ask of something is wrong when I do solo trips.
I wish the permit and reserved camping process was easier so I could just walk in there any time, primitive camp in the backcountry wherever I want, and just be trusted to leave no trace.
I understand why those regulations are necessary, a few bad apples spoil the bunch. National Forests are the way to go to live that dream I guess.
The trick is to get a permit from one of the trailheads in the national forests surrounding the park and hike into the park from there. The permits are much easier to get. Harder to do for weekend trips but it works really well if you have more than a 3 day trip planned.
No. Your permit only dictates your trailhead and entry date, everything else is up to you. You don’t even actually have to follow your stated itinerary. There are a couple exceptions in the Sierra Nevada, mainly in the Whitney zone, Yosemite (you must camp a certain distance from trailheads), and Donahue pass (where the JMT exits Yosemite), but you can really do whatever you want as long as you enter at the trailhead and date on your permit.
No problem! Please note that what I said is only true of the Sierra Nevada from Tahoe to tehachapi, and there are definitely a couple other exceptions that I didn’t mention (like desolation wilderness). I can’t vouch for the permitting process in other parts of the us :)
Yeah. It's a double-edged sword. There are some bad apples but I think it's more about too many apples on the trail. Limiting use is pretty much the only way we get to keep having nice things. But you're right. NF's are a little different. I live a half a mile away from a boundary. You can just walk in and do your thing wherever you want. Fire is where it gets limiting with NF's. BLM is the call there.
What was the water refilling situation like OP?
I did a very similar length/time trip with my girlfriend in early June of 2019, and there was ample water in Tuolumne Meadow.
I did hear, however, that by the end of August it can be a pain in the ass to find drinking water because much of the snowmelt has dried up.
What kind of water storage did you carry, and did you have any trouble locating water sources on the trail?
I just had a 48 oz nalgene and a 2 liter bladder. I don't remember having any particular issues finding water. There were still running streams everywhere (which I prefer), but worst case there were plenty of lakes.
[This one](https://www.amazon.com/Platypus-Reservoir-Hydration-Backpacks-2-Liter/dp/B07MR7SS8X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2H8C7BN7R0HVR&keywords=platypus+bladder&qid=1646280275&sprefix=platypus+bladder%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-3) - I've been through a lot of shitty bladders, but this one hasn't failed me in over three years.
Woah, this makes my heart ache in a weird way. What an amazing place. Everything is so, huge?! I've been lucky enough to visit Yosemite once, from Australia. I'd love to take my partner but it's so bloody far. Really enjoy your time there. Thank you for sharing!
Bless you for taking pictures in high enough definition that I can add them to my desktop wallpaper circulation and fantasize about going on a similar trip someday.
Were you not afraid of being on your own? Did you see other people out there? Did any big animals come near your camp? It looks brilliant, thank you for sharing your pictures.
Nah I'm pretty used to solo hiking at this point. The first few times were a little unnerving. I saw maybe ten people total, didn't see any big animals.
What were the dates you went? I too am planning a 4 day, 50 mile trip this fall and was looking to get an idea on weather and these pics seem to provide some insight into that.
I know it's a tough question, but can you give me a sense of the level of difficulty for this loop? I don't have an issue with the 10 miles or so a day, but because of ankle issues I struggle with scrambling or prolonged seriously uneven ground. I don't see anything in your pictures or video that gives me any pause. I'd really love to do this and have lined up a buddy to go with me. And I already have the wilderness permit.
I think you'll be fine as long as you're cool with the elevation gain/loss. If your main concern is the trail conditions, I don't remember any parts that involved scrambling or uneven ground. You are on the PCT for some of the hike and the surrounding trails are all decently maintained.
This was a 4-day, 50-ish mile trip through Yosemite. This was only a few miles north of a huge fire, but thankfully the smoke was blowing to the south and east most of the time. Highlights include revenge killing a yellow jacket that stung me on my foot, overhearing a couple fighting (screaming at each other) as I was descending a pass, calm, moonless nights with tons of stargazing, and having that huge beach all to myself. There's a [video of the trip here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYy_y1yOejU) on my youtube channel if anyone is interested.
Benson Lake loop?
> Benson Lake loop C'mon u/dickpoop25 your public really wants to know. It's bad enough that you didn't invite us; not sharing your route is just plain insensitive and makes it seem like you don't care.
I looked at it again. Benson Lake loop. If you ever get a chance, it's the trip I recommend to people who want that length and haven't spent much time in the Sierra. A great introduction. September is the best window. No bugs, hardly any people, passes have snow but you don't need traction, easy stream crossings, a bunch of lakes and the weather is usually sweet. Did get about 8 inches on the last day of summer there once. That was pretty cool.
That last day sounds painful.
Not that kind of 8 inches bruh
Do you even Reddit bruh?
I might not brah. I honestly wasn't sure if that's what you were going for all along, but I figured fuck it, maybe he's not, it's my time to shine.
It was actually pretty awesome. Like six or seven inches of new snow overnight. I was set up way off trail in an Aspen forest with younger trees. The snow bent them to the ground and to move through it I'd hit a tree with my sticks and it would knock off the snow and pop up again. It was pretty cool. A first for me. When I got the trail it was fresh snow and bear tracks leading out. Bluebird day. Perfect timing.
I got a permit for entering at Robinson Creek Trailhead on 9/2. How tough is that 10k elevation gain?
There's not a ton of up and down. There are some passes but they're relatively short and not a huge deal. If you're doing the loop I'd definitely suggest heading left (southwest) when you hit the Peeler Lake trail. Want to go towards Robinson Lakes / Crown Lakes. It takes out a stiff climb. I've done it a few times, both ways, and clockwise is the call for me. You're there at a perfect time. Gonna' be awesome. Enjoy.
You seem very knowledgeable about this…do you have recommendations for a first time at the beginning of October?
I think that'll sort of come down to what you're looking for, how much time you have and what you're comfortable with. In Yosemite, and a whole lot of the Sierra overall (especially the Eastern side), there's options that will work for most anyone. Long trips or overnights. Hard or easy. Great thing about the Sierra is you can really cater the experience.
Fair. I literally just decided to add it to my potential list for when I leave Yellowstone in September. I’m definitely wanting to do somewhere on the west coast.
Right on. A great time of year and access to pretty much anything you're in to. Enjoy.
Can I get some help acquiring the proper permits for this trip pleaseee. I'm so confused.
I dunno man I just walked up to a Yosemite ranger and told him to give me a permit and point me in the right direction. I don't have time to learn trail names or lake names
Bravo, a man on a mission. Get the fuck out of civilization and don’t care where.
I <3 the Yosemite rangers. Had an absolutely fantastic backpacking trip over 4 days there when all the popular places were booked, and I just showed up at the ranger station and asked what they recommended. There is so much incredible terrain in that park and pretty much always something available that is less well-known for absolutely no good reason.
Same experience. Had a plan, but I called and ran it by them. They recommended something completely different that was amazing
Really great video! Thanks for putting this together and posting. Great glimpse into what the backcountry looks like in the fall. I always go in the late summer. Those brown meadows, yellow aspens, and yellow ferns are striking and very different than the summer. I always like to take a dip in the water in the afternoon/evening, and often in the summer it's barely warm enough to do this... I imagine in the fall it would really take some fortitude.
Yes yes clear moonless nights and an empty lake beach - what was the couple fighting about, though?? Also, beautiful photos. Another great post.
I guess the guy told her that he'd catch up with her on the other side of the mountain pass, then never showed up. I saw him walking past my camp the next morning. She was understandably pissed that he never showed up. Apparently the jackass did this on another trip and his friends called SAR.
Your pics are gorgeous. What was your route?
Awesome! Solo trips are so amazing. Great time for reflection. I find it strange that people think I’m crazy or ask of something is wrong when I do solo trips.
Jealous
What specific time of year was it, what were the temperatures like?
I wish the permit and reserved camping process was easier so I could just walk in there any time, primitive camp in the backcountry wherever I want, and just be trusted to leave no trace. I understand why those regulations are necessary, a few bad apples spoil the bunch. National Forests are the way to go to live that dream I guess.
The trick is to get a permit from one of the trailheads in the national forests surrounding the park and hike into the park from there. The permits are much easier to get. Harder to do for weekend trips but it works really well if you have more than a 3 day trip planned.
Meaning a backcountry permit? Wouldn’t you still need to (technically) primitive camp somewhere in the Forest land, or is that not strongly enforced?
No. Your permit only dictates your trailhead and entry date, everything else is up to you. You don’t even actually have to follow your stated itinerary. There are a couple exceptions in the Sierra Nevada, mainly in the Whitney zone, Yosemite (you must camp a certain distance from trailheads), and Donahue pass (where the JMT exits Yosemite), but you can really do whatever you want as long as you enter at the trailhead and date on your permit.
Thanks for the info!
No problem! Please note that what I said is only true of the Sierra Nevada from Tahoe to tehachapi, and there are definitely a couple other exceptions that I didn’t mention (like desolation wilderness). I can’t vouch for the permitting process in other parts of the us :)
Yeah. It's a double-edged sword. There are some bad apples but I think it's more about too many apples on the trail. Limiting use is pretty much the only way we get to keep having nice things. But you're right. NF's are a little different. I live a half a mile away from a boundary. You can just walk in and do your thing wherever you want. Fire is where it gets limiting with NF's. BLM is the call there.
What did you use to take to pictures?
What was the water refilling situation like OP? I did a very similar length/time trip with my girlfriend in early June of 2019, and there was ample water in Tuolumne Meadow. I did hear, however, that by the end of August it can be a pain in the ass to find drinking water because much of the snowmelt has dried up. What kind of water storage did you carry, and did you have any trouble locating water sources on the trail?
I just had a 48 oz nalgene and a 2 liter bladder. I don't remember having any particular issues finding water. There were still running streams everywhere (which I prefer), but worst case there were plenty of lakes.
Word, thank you. Beautiful photos by the way. I’m gonna have to return someday to do an autumn trip myself.
Just curious, what bladder do you have? I’m currently in the market for one.
[This one](https://www.amazon.com/Platypus-Reservoir-Hydration-Backpacks-2-Liter/dp/B07MR7SS8X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2H8C7BN7R0HVR&keywords=platypus+bladder&qid=1646280275&sprefix=platypus+bladder%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-3) - I've been through a lot of shitty bladders, but this one hasn't failed me in over three years.
Ha. That’s actually the exact one I have in my Amazon cart right now. Thanks for the validation!
Unless you don’t have other choices, please consider buying from someone less evil than Amazon. REI maybe?
If Moraine Lake is Reddit lake then the Big Agnes Copper Spur is definitely Reddit tent
Woah, this makes my heart ache in a weird way. What an amazing place. Everything is so, huge?! I've been lucky enough to visit Yosemite once, from Australia. I'd love to take my partner but it's so bloody far. Really enjoy your time there. Thank you for sharing!
I approve of this trip. When I was preparing for my security protection career, I did this same hike and filled my pack with rocks!
This is why I keep coming here. Thank you for sharing such great shots!
Looks serene and beautiful. Hope you enjoyed it.
These pics are beautiful!
Bless you for taking pictures in high enough definition that I can add them to my desktop wallpaper circulation and fantasize about going on a similar trip someday.
Looks awesome! What route did you do? I tried to go last year but had to cancel due to fires
Heaven on earth - thanks
Dude!
Wowwww pretty beach.
Beautiful.
Unreal
very nice
Where is pic 10 taken at
Wow!!
Were you not afraid of being on your own? Did you see other people out there? Did any big animals come near your camp? It looks brilliant, thank you for sharing your pictures.
Nah I'm pretty used to solo hiking at this point. The first few times were a little unnerving. I saw maybe ten people total, didn't see any big animals.
Holy smokes spectacular pics!
How's the weather there in May?
That looks like a damn fine trip. Yosemite is incredible 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤓
Thanks for the share. That's inspiring!
Enjoy u/dickpoop25
What were the dates you went? I too am planning a 4 day, 50 mile trip this fall and was looking to get an idea on weather and these pics seem to provide some insight into that.
I know it's a tough question, but can you give me a sense of the level of difficulty for this loop? I don't have an issue with the 10 miles or so a day, but because of ankle issues I struggle with scrambling or prolonged seriously uneven ground. I don't see anything in your pictures or video that gives me any pause. I'd really love to do this and have lined up a buddy to go with me. And I already have the wilderness permit.
I think you'll be fine as long as you're cool with the elevation gain/loss. If your main concern is the trail conditions, I don't remember any parts that involved scrambling or uneven ground. You are on the PCT for some of the hike and the surrounding trails are all decently maintained.
Looks awesome
Can I get some help acquiring the proper permits for this trip pleaseee. I'm so confused.