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Just outside our back door, here in Bishop, are two wonderful areas for exploration. The first is the Coyote Plateau …... It is an area of high meadows, sagebrush, and alpine peaks. Margy and I have explored the plateau on foot on various day hikes, but because of the large size of the plateau, we realize that the only way we can really explore this region is to go on an extended backpack trip. Even though much of it is gentle in nature, some of it is quite demanding. The Darwin Basin is much better known, but rarely visited do to it's isolation. It consists of more rugged but doable terrain featuring rugged crags and permanent snow fields. The highlight of the Darwin section of the trip is the crossing of an extremely steep pass by going through a 4' keyhole in the ridge. Both trips require a considerable amount of cross country travel and route finding. Anyone interested in this trip should be accomplished in cross country travel and steep terrain with full packs. |
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"Summary" |
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No Mints Adventures (Wayne Martin & Margy Marshall) 1335 Rocking W Dr. #390 Bishop, CA 93514 Phone: 1-760-872-7630 E-mail: nomints@opriusmail.com Web : http://www.nomints.com |
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"Details" |
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Physical & Skill Level Requirements: (Moderate) Most of the time, this is a pretty straight forward backpacking trip, following well marked and moderately graded trails. However, there are sections that are very strenuous and require the ability to carry a full back over very steep terrain. In particular, we have two cross country passes that we have to negotiate that require that you be comfortable with terrain that approaches the realm of Class III mountain climbing. Though ropes are not usually necessary for these sections, you must be comfortable with this type of terrain. If you have any concerns about your ability to handle Class III terrain, feel free to contact us, and we'll talk it over. |
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Sign Up Maximum and Minimum: The maximum number of hikers we can have for this trip is 10 including Margy and myself. When you sign up, indicate if you want to be placed on a stand-by list if the trip is full. For those of you who have never been on one of our trips, we would like to talk to you on the phone somewhere along the line before you are officially accepted. |
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Sign Up Procedure: To officially sign up for this trip, just follow these steps:
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What You Get for Your Money: Our Charges: Your money pays for all the various expenses involved in running our web-site, mailing, printing, and phone costs, etc. For the trip, we supply you with maps, wilderness permit, and lodging at Cardinal Village Resort midway through the trip. We will act as guides, although that is a bit spotty as we are certainly not trained professionals. Your Other Expenses: The BIG one is getting here to Bishop from wherever you may be. Beyond that, you need to pay for your food and other entertainment. On tourist or rest days, you pay for all expenses having to do with traipsing off to some local scenic wonder. |
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Guide Books and Maps: I regret to inform you that there are no guide books for this little adventures, so you will have to rely on us to actually show you the way. There are plenty of USGS topographic maps that you could purchase, but you won't have to do that as we can print up a set of maps for each of you off our www.topo.com software. I would, however, recommend that you buy a road map so you can find yourself to Bishop. |
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Roster: We'll send out a roster by email as soon as we have a pretty firm idea of who is going. Sometimes, knowing who is on the roster lets you share equipment, flight bargains, etc. The roster is usually sent out 2 to 4 weeks before the trip. We generally include each person's name, physical address, email, and telephone number. |
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Camping & Cabins Options: Well, this is a backpacking trip, after all, so you can pretty much plan on sleeping on the ground most of the time. So, plan on bringing along a good backpacking tent. However, about 2/3 of the way through the trip, we will be taking a one day break and spending two nights in the Cardinal Village Resort to recharge your batteries for the last section. The resort features old mining cabins that use to service the mines in that area …… however, they have been updated and made a bit more comfortable for the modern traveler. |
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Equipment: Hiking Gear: You will need a pack and a good set of broken in hiking boots. We should not encounter very much snow so you can probably get away with boots that are not particularly waterproof. Camping Stuff: You will need a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. Also bring your personal cooking gear such as sauce pan, plate, cup, & silverware. You can bring a stove and that as well as a tent might possibly be shared, depending on who shows up with what equipment. Sharing can be sorted out at the trailhead if anyone wants to share. Clothing: Even though you are hiking in the clear rain free environment of the Eastern Sierra, still, the occasional rain storm does come our way …. Plus we will be hiking over some pretty high passes, so make sure you have foul weather gear. Medical Kit: ? Bear Containers: There may be a possibility that we will be required to carry small bear proof containers for our food. If so, you can rent one at the Forest Service Office in Bishop. I'll have more details on this before this before the trip. |
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Keep It Light ! Some of the terrain we will be hiking on will be very demanding for short periods of time. Consequently it is important that you keep you pack as light as possible for this rugged stuff. |
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Food: This trip is predicated on each of you carrying and cooking your own meals in camp. There are 8 days of actual hiking divided into two sections of 5 and 3 days respectively. There is a one day rest day between the two circuits. So …. As you can see, you have to be prepared to carry food for 5 and 3 days respectively. You can pre pack all your food, or go into town for supplies on your rest day. On your rest day, there are plenty of opportunities to go out to eat …. Or, because our lodging has kitchen facilities, you can cook. |
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Web Sites: Following is a list of various websites that we feel can help you in providing additional information for planning your trip with us. |
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Bishop Chamber of Commerce A good source for information about the Eastern Sierra and the Owens Valley. Cardinal Village Resort This is the really cool place we will be staying for two nights on our rest day between the Coyote and Darwin circuits. Inyo National Forest The national forest that we will be hiking in. They have a very good office in Bishop, chock full of maps, publications, and bear food containers. |
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When and Where We Meet ! Please click here to go to the "Daily Itinerary" The itinerary will give the information concerning where and when we meet . |
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Backpacking the Eastern Sierra (Coyote Plateau & Darwin Basin Traverse) Near Bishop, CA August 10 - 19, 2010 10 Days - 64 Miles - Lots of Cross Country [ Camping + Lodge ] $100 Organizing Fee + $100 Lodging |