[pct-l] gates in the Sierra

[dude at fastmail.ca (dude)]

you are correct, its hwy 4, not 104.  

I don't know why this is such a point of contention; its kinda dumb.  
I mean, all I said is that I saw cows next to a gate along the 
trail.  But since you seem to be doubting my vision or integrity, 
read on if you like...

proximity is relative.  I consider 11 miles to be pretty close to the 
trail considering the size of the sierra nevada.  When I hiked this 
area, I walked the 11 miles once, and hitch hiked once.  I considered 
the trip down to Kennedy Meadows resort as part of my hike.  I guess 
strictly speaking, its not part of the PCT, but its all just part of 
the hike to me.  Mt Whitney is not actually on the PCT either, but I 
did whitney when I hiked that section, and I considered it part of 
the trip.  Speaking of that area, I also went over Kearsarge Pass, 
which is 9 miles off the trail and you can't hitch-hike till after 
you hike the 9 miles, so I DEFINITELY considered that part of my 
hike, yet it was not on the PCT.

"High" Sierra is not distinctly defined.  To my recollection, I think 
kennedy meadows resort is roughly around 6000'.  That's not 10,000' 
but its not sea level either.  Its not high compared to the Himalaya, 
but its relatively high for the continental U.S.

This site provides info on Mulkey Pass, which provides access to the 
PCT: http://www.etreking.com/eTreking/Pages/SouthSierraEast.html
the site states: "Mulkey Pass Trail was originally constructed for 
cattle drives, in the summer it is dry and dusty."  Mulkey Pass is 
over 10,000', which I definitely would consider "high" sierra.

The Stanislaus National Forest website 
(http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/visitor/emigrant.shtml) indicates 
that grazing is allowed throughout the Emigrant Wilderness, which the 
PCT goes through. (Kennedy Meadows Resort is in the Emigrant 
Wilderness).  This is what they say:
"Gates and drift fences control livestock movement to prevent 
overgrazing and to reduce conflicts with wilderness visitors. Please 
help by keeping gates closed."   ...which is what I said in my first 
post.

If you think that there cannot possibly be any cows in the High 
Sierra along the PCT, then that is your prerogative.

peace,
dude




> 
> 
> ----------
>> From: dude <dude@fastmail.ca>
>> To: goforth@cio.net
>> Cc: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net; ilja@cs.caltech.edu
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] gates in the Sierra
>> Date: Monday, December 01, 2003 11:23 AM
>> 
>> I definitely saw cattle in the sierra all around gates.  If I
>> remember correctly, this was between Echo Lakes Resort and Sonora
>> Pass (or the northern kennedy meadows resort on Hwy 108).
>> Specifically, I am certain that there are cows just north of hwy
>> 104.
> 
> I went through that area in late June-early July and in Late
> August.  I do not remember a single gate on the PCT in that area
> on either trip.  There were cow sign in the Kennedy creek basin
> and horses sign at Leavitt meadow, no gates in either place and no
> stock.
> 
> I found highway 4 on the Deloreme map and in the PCT guide, but
> was unable to locate 104
> 
>> As a matter of fact, the northern Kennedy Meadows Resort on Hwy
>> 108 raises their one cattle and serves steaks in their
>> restaurant.  That resort is basically right on the PCT.
> 
> The Kennedy Meadows Resort is 11 miles from Sonora Pass and the
> PCT,  you consider this "basically right on the PCT"?  I
> resupplied by hitchhiking there and it is not only a long way away
> but also a long way down.  Saw a lot of mules and horses there but
> not a single cow.  So if they raise their own steaks, what makes
> you think that they do it in the high Sierra?

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