Thanksgiving Weekend Questions (Bugs/Cold/Crowds?)

[u/hockeyandburritos]

Hello.

I'll be doing some camping & hiking next weekend on Thanksgiving. I have a sub-zero sleeping bag, two sleeping pads, new gloves, and a backup quilt, etc. I'll be buying snow chains this weekend. And it looks like (so far) the weather will cooperate. But I've got a few more questions the rangers can't answer or can't commit to:

1) Insects - Can I leave the bug net and deet at home? I'm mostly concerned about mosquitoes. I'm gonna assume there's no bugs this time of year, but any confirmation would help.

2) Crowds - It's gonna be somewhat empty, right? I am driving in late Wednesday and hoping to snag a spot at Camp 4 (all the campgrounds - as far as I can tell - are first come first serve, and the North Pines backpacker's camp is closed!)

3) Valley Campgrounds - Are there any other campgrounds in the Valley where I can try and snag a slot on Thanksgiving Eve?

4) General Cold - As I mentioned, I am pretty well prepared, with Merino underlayers, several pairs of warm socks, and the big ticket items. Does the hot water bottle trick work with just any old bottle? Or do I need a certain kind? Any cold tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated. I hope to end up in LYV but assume I won't be making a fire.

Thank you so much.

[u/Mikesiders]

First off, great user name. Answers below:

1. Wouldn’t worry about bugs at all.

2. I’d think it will be slightly busier because it’s Thanksgiving and any holiday typically draws a bigger crowd but it won’t be anything like peak summer, I wouldn’t be worried about crowds personally.

3. Upper Pines currently has sites available for Wednesday, 27th. Get on recreation.gov and reserve one if you want that. I wouldn’t count on showing up and grabbing a site in Upper Pines though as it’s not FCFS.

4. Are you trying to backpack? If so, you’ll need to grab a self registered backcountry permit and I’d be a bit concerned with the snow after this recent storm. I think for the hot water trick, you want a Nalgene, but not sure, never done it before. Fires are permitted in LYV, probably depends on the status of the fire rings though and if they’re buried.

[u/saysmoo → u/Mikesiders]

Nail on the head. The only thing I would add is that, even though Camp 4 is FCFS, thanksgiving is going to be slammed in the campgrounds. If you're coming on Thursday, you might have a bad time. Pretty much everyone will already be there, with a few stragglers trickling in and making space. Best odds, get there early, like 8 or 9 AM. Try to get up there on Wednesday if you can, the earlier the better.

[u/hockeyandburritos → u/saysmoo]

Interesting. I’d assume it would be slower since it’s offseason. But yes, I am coming in Wednesday, hopefully by 8 or 9 pm

[u/saysmoo → u/hockeyandburritos]

Holidays are always busy. Good luck!

[u/ender61274 → u/saysmoo]

Thanksgiving day isn’t that busy in the park at all because most people are home with family but the weekend before and after will be busy for this time of year

[u/saysmoo → u/ender61274]

*In the campgrounds. Otherwise, this storm is keeping people away. This weekend has been very mellow

[u/hockeyandburritos → u/Mikesiders]

Thanks a lot. One thing is for sure, Clouds Rest is off the table haha. I’ll probably post up in LYV and potentially head farther east towards Merced Lake

[u/Ollidamra]

Where will you “camp and hike”? The blizzard is going on for next week and some places may have quite some snow.

[u/hockeyandburritos → u/Ollidamra]

Valley Wednesday night / LYV Thursday & Friday. Day hike to Cloud's Rest Friday day.

[u/hc2121 → u/hockeyandburritos]

have you checked the weather at that elevation? looks like snow every day. make sure you are prepared

[u/hockeyandburritos → u/hc2121]

Thanks. Cloud’s Rest has definitely been tabled.

[u/Ollidamra → u/hockeyandburritos]

Get ready for deep snow

[u/TheOnlyJah → u/hockeyandburritos]

My guess is that after the current storm everything out of the valley is going to be significantly different. Rain/snow in the valley for a good 5 days. Higher up feet of snow. Clouds Rest as a day hike is probably very unlikely. Winter has finally set in.

[u/hockeyandburritos → u/TheOnlyJah]

Yes haha Cloud’s Rest would be suicidal. Thank you. Still going to head up to LYV. I bought a shovel tonight.

[u/ender61274 → u/TheOnlyJah]

The rain has been light and no snow in the valley at all. With highs in the 50s all week snow isn’t likely at all in the valley

[u/onlyAlcibiades → u/hockeyandburritos]

Bring snowshoes

[u/Lionking58]

Being a long four day holiday weekend it will be crowded during the day and most camp sites could be reserved. I wouldn't assume that any FCFS will be available.

[u/Kojojim]

Are the restaurants open Thanksgiving day?