Our intention is for a maximum of 12 "angels" to arrive at Vidette Meadow in time to provide dinner to hikers on Friday June 23 - and continue providing magic to hikers until after breakfast on Sunday June 25 Angels are likely to take different times to get up and down the hill based on temperament and athletic ability. This hike is by invitation only, you need to be invited by someone that has been on the trip before and be approved by either Ken or Seamus. We limit the number of Trail Angels that can attend, the first 12 to commit hard cash are in (within the "Gender balance" and Vaccination rules below)
According to a 2017 Hiker Survey, 42% of thru hikers are women. Our goal is to make sure our little group of Angels has a similar makeup.
Normally we would go in from the west side of the Sierras, but because of road closures in Sequoia Kings Canyon park we have been forced to find a new way in. As a result, this year we will leave from Onion Valley on the East side of the Sierras (Near the town of Independence), go up and over Kearsage Pass, and then to our regular camp at Upper Vidette Meadow.
Sub-groups would converge on Vidette Meadows on Friday afternoon (see map below). We stay at Vidette till late Sunday morning (Serving Hikers the whole time) when we would hike back down the way we came and drive home.
In prior years we have hired mules to carry the bulk of the supplies - that is not an option in 2023. Whether we use mules or not, all hikers are responsible for getting 10 lbs of extra gear "up the hill" (or more if they have the ability and inclination).
We are still working out details, it seems likely that there will be a groups leaving on Wednesday (up to 3), Thursday (up to 2), and Friday (up to 4) based on the permits we have been able to secure.
This year was a total adventure - almost nothing went according to the plan above. I will document some of the details below
This year was a huge snow year. We all knew enough to get microspikes for the snow.
Ken, Maura, David attempted two "reconnaissance" trips from Onion Valley up to Kearsage pass and back to judge conditions (all arrived on Monday). This is about an 8 mile round trip hike and mimics the total hike to Vidette (in miles and elevation gain)
On the first attempt (Tuesday), they hit the trail about 9am and did not make it all the way to Kearsage pass. The snow got soft and we underestimated how much more difficult it is to hike in snow. There were no trails and electronic guidance (via Outreach Sattelite) was crutial. also we followed the "Trail" which went thru the trees and around the lakes - all of which ended up being very difficult obstacles (due to snow hills and avalances). We hiked till about 1 before we turned around and went back to camp
On the second attempt (Wednesday), they hit the trail about 6am and chose a path the stayed above from lakes and trees - apparently this is an "Old Path" to the pass - we knew it was possible because we saw hikers using it the day before. This time we made it to the pass and back in about 8 hours. There were some parts of the trail that should have required Ice Axes (which we did not have). We went across anyway (and back) - but it was not clear that it would be safe to do so in 3 or 4 days on a return trip from Vidette. In the end, all three of us (Ken, Maura, David) chose not to paricipate in the full hike
On Thursday, Seamus and Tom set out to evaluate the hike. Seamus made it in about 6 hours, Tom made it in about 10 (they separated). Tom chose not to go on the full hike, and Seamus chose to lead the hike to Vidette the next morning.
Additional Hikers, Deane, Paola, and Tyler showed up on Thursday and agreed to attend with Seamus. We went thru all the supplies and dramatically cut down what to bring (as this would be a very challenging hike while carrying weight)
Seamus, Deane, Paula, and Tyler Wend up on Friday morning, and came back on Sunday as planned (safe and sound). There were adventures, you will have to ask one of them for details. They only saw a couple of hikers to feed (I guessed at 3 in the stats)
Click Here for a scanned map of the basic trail magic route (zoom in to see contour lines).
Click Here to access the online National Park Service maps of the area (allows you to scroll around the whole park)
Click Here for a google map to Roads End Permit Station (the trail head), so you can plan your drive to the trailhead
Note about Google Maps: It is winter in the Sierra now (when this is being typed) - Lots of roads are closed - If you ask for driving directions, make sure that you also specify "Depart in June" (otherwise it will not be able to find a route)
Here is my listing of those who have committed to doing this hike (No more than 12 allowed)
Hikers that made it to Onion Valley, but declined to hike to Vidette (after viewing the conditions)
Ken K: 12th trip. Connected through Seamus S (Soccer coaches together)
David W: 6th trip. Connected through Seamus S
Maura W: 3rd trip. Connected through Ken K (Partner) - Alternate Permit Holder
Tom D: 3nd trip. Connect through David W
Hikers that Actually made the trip to Vidette on Friday morning
Deane G: 5th trip. Connected through Seamus S
Paola: 3nd trip. Connected through Deane G
Seamus S
Tyler M
There are likely to be multiple groups going up the hill this year that will meet at Vidette and perform trail magic on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. At this point, no side trips are planned, so on Sunday after breakfast service, all groups will head back down the hill. The situation is very fluid and all itineraries are still up for grabs.