Krishna, the Whitney Creek shortcut was not that difficult. Only, it did take 3 1/2 hours -- I didn't hurry, since I had half a day. I almost never brushed through bushes, as there was nearly always a way to find a clear path. On the steepest granite, I hung the hiking pole straps on my forearms and used hands to help climbing, but
only a few times. I will do a separate report complete with gps route and map.
Those off-trail sections were truly the most memorable part of the trip!
Chris B: Not sure how rugged your family is. I've taken kids up to Little Baldy -- about 2 hours RT. The n side of the creek at Lodgepole is a nice trail up to a cascade-like falls. And at Crescent Meadow, hike out the first half mile of the HST to "Eagle View". Oh, and climb Morro Rock! Fun!
Paul: I'm already thinking about next summer -- maybe the Sky Blue Lake route to Whitney. ...and I am cooking up a fishing overnight in Yosemite with my 9-y-o daughter. These trips take lots of planning, and lots of writing afterwards, so one trip fills my bucket for quite a while.
...Oh, and there is this job that keeps getting in the way. And family always seems to want to do stuff too.
