[pct-l] Bear Canisters

[Bob Bankhead]

Just because a canister is not required does NOT mean it is not needed or advised. 


http://www.sierrawildbear.gov/foodstorage/map040108.pdf

This is the current map of canister-required areas but it is dated March 2008. Supposedly Sequoia and Kings Canyon NPs and the Inyo NF were going to expand their requirements to encompass everything in their control, just like yosemite NP did last year. I'd wait until at least April 1 to see what happens.

It is impossible to camp bear box to bear box throughout the entire canister-required area; the distances are too great in spots. Suck it up and plan on carrying the darn things. How far depends on how willing you are to modify your hiking plan.

Option 1: 
Rent a canister at (or ship yours to) Kennedy Meadows

Option 2:
Re-supply at Horseshoe Meadow or in Lone Pine (and then back to the trail at HSM). Pick up your canister here at the start of the "canister-required" zone. You can avoid carrying the canister from Kennedy Meadows to here. Incidentally, there are lots of bear boxes at the HSM campground.

Option 3:
Camp every night at one of the bear boxes between Horseshoe Meadows and Bubbs Creek. Make the hike to Onion Valley in one day and re-suppply there or in Independence. Get your canister here. From here on, it's not possible to reach a bear box each night - just too many miles and very few boxes. 


Where to get rid of the @#$% thing?

It's 54 miles from Tuolumne Meadows to the northern boundary of Yosemite NP, and the only bear box past TM is at Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp (and so not accessible to PCT hikers). Your first opportunity to ship it home or possibly turn in a rental is 11 miles west of Sonora Pass at Kennedy Meadow Resort (aka Kennedy Meadow North). Otherwise, you'll have to carry it all the way to Echo Lake Resort by South Lake Tahoe.