Thanks for the input everyone.
Just looking at the trips themselves (not considering logistics, permits, etc), my order of preference is:
HST
OV
HM
By the way, how many people are going?
I am planning the trip with one other person. After we get our dates and itinerary nailed down, there are a couple of other people that I'll extend an invite to. I don't think I want to lead a trip like this with more than 4 people at this point.
The key question for me is, how much time are you allocating for the trip since that will determine route?
Obviously logistics is a major issue. For that matter, I'd skip the HST and do it at a later date. As for entry point, again, how much time?
In terms of time for the trip - essentially I want to figure out how much time I think we need to complete each hike. How much time is needed will play into the decision of which hike I try to do, but it is a secondary concern. I forsee myself taking 5 days off from work (M-F) and possibly tacking on another day on either end if it is needed for travel.
I would like to do all of these trips eventually. To make matters more complicated, our family may be moving to NH this year. I don't think this will happen until mid-summer or early fall. With that in mind, I am hoping to get this trip in while I am still living here, or maybe extend my stay in CA for a few weeks after we move all of our stuff. Logistically, the HST trip is giving me a headache, but I wonder if it would be easier for me to do it while I am still living in CA. In terms of getting time off, HST would be easier now since I won't need to spend 2 days travelling from & to the east coast.
I never come out on the date of my permit... This process is made for lying and cheating.
I've read similar statements regarding overnight permits on MMWT. If I understood correctly, they were saying that if you have a reserved permit for 1 night, '
it's not a big problem if you need to say a second' or something along those lines.
It is the Big Arroyo crossing that could be an issue in the early summer of a high water year.
Good to know, thanks! If I need to do this trip early in the season (see possible move above), I think I should save HST for another time.
By the way, Kern Hot Spring is a nice attraction on the HST trip... There is a sweet "wilderness solitude" experience on Whitney Creek...
Cool,I am interested in checking out both
