Forum Discussion
- profdant139Explorer IICollie, yes, the Banff area is crowded. For good reason. This was taken from our campsite in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park (not far from Banff) on a September morning, after a dusting of snow:
Click For Full-Size Image.
So I would go, at least once. We've been there three times. And once you are on the trails, you will often be alone.
Same for Yellowstone. Same for Yosemite. Very popular because they are great. - Yosemite_Sam1Explorer
agesilaus wrote:
When I was waiting for discharge from the USN at Treasure Island three of us worked a deal that only one had to be physically present at work the other two could just call in. We did 1 week rotations so we essentially had two weeks off followed by a week of 'work'. I spent a lot of time at Yosemite and DV that winter. Tent camping in the Valley and cross country skiing. It snowed so much one night that we had to get out and shovel off the tent every few hours. My car was buried to the bottom of the windows come morning. I had to get my car pulled out of a snow bank one day after sliding into it on a curve. Florida living did not engender snow and ice driving skills....heh
But the CG were empty. I think we were the only ones in North Pine.
That must be some adventure.
Your car buried up to the window in North Pine campgrounds?
Looks like that's something that happens in Tuolumne. It must be some serious heavy snowfall. - agesilausExplorer IIIWhen I was waiting for discharge from the USN at Treasure Island three of us worked a deal that only one had to be physically present at work the other two could just call in. We did 1 week rotations so we essentially had two weeks off followed by a week of 'work'. I spent a lot of time at Yosemite and DV that winter. Tent camping in the Valley and cross country skiing. It snowed so much one night that we had to get out and shovel off the tent every few hours. My car was buried to the bottom of the windows come morning. I had to get my car pulled out of a snow bank one day after sliding into it on a curve. Florida living did not engender snow and ice driving skills....heh
But the CG were empty. I think we were the only ones in North Pine. - colliehaulerExplorer IIIThe first time I seen Yosemite valley was in 1983 in the dead of winter. It was quite, hardly any people and very awesome. I went back a few years later during the summer and could not get out of there fast enough, wall to wall people. I have always wanted to go to Banff Canada but understand it's the same way of a summer.
- profdant139Explorer IIThe key to Tioga is the pullouts. I go down the hill at 40. When traffic piles up, I pull over.
Same with uphill. I go about 45 and pull over when necessary.
The part from Lee Vining to Ellery Lake is the only steep part. - agesilausExplorer IIITioga? We been over it pulling a 35ft fiver with no problems. It isn't a difficult pass.
- Yosemite_Sam1Explorer
profdant139 wrote:
Sam, it's like Yogi Berra said about a popular restaurant: "Nobody goes there anymore because it's too crowded." The Valley is pretty but not silent, unlike the high country of the Eastern Sierra. So we only go to the Valley in the dead of winter! (The campgrounds are nice a quiet when the temps are below freezing.)
And my little trailer (2500 lbs, fully loaded) could be pulled by a mountain bike. The Tacoma is rated for 7000 lb. I like to keep a big cushion of safety, because we go into such rough and steep terrain. The Taco pulls that little rig right through mud and sand and snow, and it is great on mountain descents. Just put it into second gear and sit back as it chugs down the hill at 30 mph.
I understand. Last summer will be the last time we'll go there on a busy season. I prefer Tuolumne myself and if I'm camping will never go to the Valley except to buy necessities.
Tioga Pass is the object of my nightmare. But I'm sure your Taco and lighter trailer can handle it with a cinch. - profdant139Explorer IISam, it's like Yogi Berra said about a popular restaurant: "Nobody goes there anymore because it's too crowded." The Valley is pretty but not silent, unlike the high country of the Eastern Sierra. So we only go to the Valley in the dead of winter! (The campgrounds are nice a quiet when the temps are below freezing.)
And my little trailer (2500 lbs, fully loaded) could be pulled by a mountain bike. The Tacoma is rated for 7000 lb. I like to keep a big cushion of safety, because we go into such rough and steep terrain. The Taco pulls that little rig right through mud and sand and snow, and it is great on mountain descents. Just put it into second gear and sit back as it chugs down the hill at 30 mph. - Yosemite_Sam1Explorer
profdant139 wrote:
Yep. We stayed at Tuolumne Meadows for a few days just before the snow arrived and then moved to the national forest near Lee Vining for some boondocking. We knew we were going to get a dusting -- not a problem.
We parked the truck right next to the trailer at an angle across the path of the wind, hoping that the truck would shelter the trailer so that it would not shake too much during the 60 mph gusts. It worked -- we slept through most of the storm. This shot was taken just as the sun came up:Click For Full-Size Image.
Beautiful. To Lee Vining, why not Yosemite Valley where it's really lovely in winter?
What are you pulling with your Tacoma? There is a debate here (or some other forum) saying this, 4runner and Highlander are not appropriate for towing medium sized trailers. - profdant139Explorer IIYep. We stayed at Tuolumne Meadows for a few days just before the snow arrived and then moved to the national forest near Lee Vining for some boondocking. We knew we were going to get a dusting -- not a problem.
We parked the truck right next to the trailer at an angle across the path of the wind, hoping that the truck would shelter the trailer so that it would not shake too much during the 60 mph gusts. It worked -- we slept through most of the storm. This shot was taken just as the sun came up:Click For Full-Size Image.
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