Hi all,
Been a few weeks since I last corresponded with everyone. There was a flurry of activity when the date for the permit applications came around-March 1 for Kings Canyon, but since I faxed in the permit request it has been quiet.
The good news is we were granted the permits! I called on Friday, February 26th to inquire as to the first moment I could fax in our request. The ranger said that they started accepting them at 12:01 Monday morning, March 1. She asked where we were going. When I said Copper Creek, her comment was, "Sleep in." I suspect the low elevation starting point and blazingly hot southern exposure makes this 6000' climb not a favorite trailhead. I did sleep in, but was sure to fax our two requests in at 6:45am Monday morning. It is a little disconcerting faxing a request. You don't know if they got the fax, and you don't know if you got the permit until they snail mail a reply. But, I avoided the temptation to call and impatiently waited the week until the permit showed up in the mail.
So I got a permit for 4 people (Gary, Andy Smith, myself and ????) for 30 days, starting at Road's End and ending at Twin Lakes, and a permit for 6 people (Craig, Sandy, Lynne, ???, ??? and???) for Road's End to Bishop Pass. NOTICE: There is still room for one on the 30 day permit and 3 on the 7 day leg of the trip. Haven't signed up yet? Changed your mind and decided to come along even against your better judgement? We still have room! Drop me an email and let me know the dates you want to come.
The Sierras at Mammoth Mountain (about the middle of our adventure) is about 100" of snowfall above normal as of today for the season, with 434" of snowfall this winter season. We can hope for an early spring melt off, or count on swarms of mosquitos in the meadows and trees for the first two weeks. I will keep you posted on the snow pack as we move into spring. You might look into light weight mosquito head netting if the trend continues. :-)
Only 125 days until July 17th. Woo whoooo. Hope to see you on the trip!
Chuck
