So, if a short and not-young person were to camp at one of these higher elevation campgrounds during the last week of October, are there any trails to follow besides Telescope and Wildrose? Does anyone know the current status of the road to get there, since I drive a Dodge Grand Caravan, not known for high clearance?

(2024-09-24, 04:49 PM)Bluegreen kayak Wrote: So, if a short and not-young person were to camp at one of these higher elevation campgrounds during the last week of October, are there any trails to follow besides Telescope and Wildrose? Does anyone know the current status of the road to get there, since I drive a Dodge Grand Caravan, not known for high clearance?

The last time I was on that road was nearly two years ago, and it was definitely not minivan friendly beyond Thorndike. I think it was probably OK up to there if I remember correctly. I'm sure the visitor center can let you know for sure.

From Mahogany flat you can hike out to the Coville ridge highpoint.  There seems to be a use-trail most of the way, but I haven't done it myself.

https://www.snwburd.com/bob/trip_reports...dge_1.html

I think that most of the roads up there got pretty messed up in the floods, so if they're open now they're likely regraded and better. than previous years But I agree with Brice that a call to a human at the VC will give you the best info.

I looked at Bob's write up and lo, we were the party there the week before, whose names show up in the photo of the register

There is definitely a use trail out of the campground. I don't recall how distinct it is up to the big talus field but I don't think it is trivial. If you can find the cairned route across the talus, it is pretty good, so worth looking. I would have thought this is an old Shoshone trail as they summered up in the area and there are a few remains of summer dwellings out on the ridge. There's trail from the north end of the talus field down to the saddle, and then you're pretty much on your own. If you can get up to Mahogany, it's a good place to go, but not for the naive.

For bonus points, start at the Charcoal Kilns instead

Other trails in the area include Tuber Peak, which is a solid mining trail to the summit and the road to Pinyon Mesa (old super's house) and on up the drainage to Hummingbird Spring (wasn't that impressive when I went up a few years ago). Digonnet covers both. You can make a loop on Telescope by going up the trail to Roges/Bennett and then down the ridge until you hit the road which services the comm facilities up there, or just follow that road down (less scenic). But look at that route on a map first!

You can get awesome views into the valley if you go up the Wildrose trail (old charcoal wood haul road) to the ridge so you can look down into DV on the other side.

Thorndike is doable in that vehicle. There's a use trail that follows the old Skidoo pipeline (you can follow the scar from the sign and you'll hit the construction trail near there), that could be a fun time.

Good point. I've followed the pipeline route in many sections. Where it goes over the ridge that marks the northern boundary of Wildrose Canyon it gets very steep, but I think there's some sections of pipe left up there. Just to the east is a road leading to a mine and a nice old cabin with a bit of a workshop. You can continue up that drainage and connect with some more modern (?) mining stuff higher up. But go up the west side of the drainage. There's some game trails on the east side but it is long and tedious. If you are a clever navigator you can pop over the ridge and make a fun loop coming back, with a return over the ridge when it is lower, closer to the campground. You won't see anyone out there
But there is some of the original pipeline, if you can sniff it out.

(2024-09-24, 07:19 PM)Brice Wrote:

(2024-09-24, 04:49 PM)Bluegreen kayak Wrote: So, if a short and not-young person were to camp at one of these higher elevation campgrounds during the last week of October, are there any trails to follow besides Telescope and Wildrose? Does anyone know the current status of the road to get there, since I drive a Dodge Grand Caravan, not known for high clearance?

The last time I was on that road was nearly two years ago, and it was definitely not minivan friendly beyond Thorndike.  I think it was probably OK up to there if I remember correctly.  I'm sure the visitor center can let you know for sure.

From Mahogany flat you can hike out to the Coville ridge highpoint.  There seems to be a use-trail most of the way, but I haven't done it myself.

https://www.snwburd.com/bob/trip_reports...dge_1.html

A fun simple crosscountry triangular loop hike can be made connecting Mahogany Flat to the Wildrose Trail.  Starting at the Wildrose kilns, we took the Wildrose trail to the divide.  Then headed south along the crest over Peak 8380 and on to Mahogany Flat.  We chose to leave the ridge and head downhill west before the Flat to save a bit of road walking.
The first photos here show the terrain:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23557848@N...215326723/

My thanks to everyone who's shared their thoughts on this venture.

I'm worried enough about that van that I've decided not to risk going up to Mahogany or Thorndike. I asked the park rangers by e-mail, and they advised against it also.

So now I'm considering Emigrant campground and hiking Telephone Canyon. I found the road that leads from Emigrant Canyon road to the mouth of Telephone, but my question is how hard would it be to hike from the campground going east to the mouth of Telephone. Another idea would be to drive a half mile on the paved road, and hike a half mile to the rough old road, and then hike that.

I would welcome any information about Telephone; the arch looks like a worthwhile sight to see. You all are such a great community and it's wonderful of netllama to make this happen.

(2024-10-19, 01:46 PM)Bluegreen kayak Wrote: My thanks to everyone who's shared their thoughts on this venture.

I'm worried enough about that van that I've decided not to risk going up to Mahogany or Thorndike. I asked the park rangers by e-mail, and they advised against it also.

So now I'm considering Emigrant campground and hiking Telephone Canyon. I found the road that leads from Emigrant Canyon road to the mouth of Telephone, but my question is how hard would it be to hike from the campground going east to the mouth of Telephone. Another idea would be to drive a half mile on the paved road, and hike a half mile to the rough old road, and then hike that.

I would welcome any information about Telephone; the arch looks like a worthwhile sight to see. You all are such a great community and it's wonderful of netllama to make this happen.

Telephone Canyon was freshly graded after Hillary.  We cruised through there a few months ago in 2wd.