? ideas on Sierra trip

[NudeAl]

I have been thinking of going to the mountains again. I love to get away to the mountains.

I am looking for info on any nude beaches and hotsprings in Ca in the mountains. I have been thinking of going up the eastern side and hitting Deep Creek along the way just cause it is a favorite of mine and is nearby.

I might go as far north as lake Tahoe and check out their beaches but that is a bit far for me. I have been to the hotsprings just south of Big Bear and enjoyed that very much.

I like to be able to hike nude. I have done this a few times usually with out problem but I would not want to ruin my trip with a visit to the local jail. I like to get out in the back country. But there should be a hotsprings or skinny dipping spot or two along the way. With that in mind.... any ideas? Thanks

[NudeAl]

I have been thinking of going to the mountains again. I love to get away to the mountains.

I am looking for info on any nude beaches and hotsprings in Ca in the mountains. I have been thinking of going up the eastern side and hitting Deep Creek along the way just cause it is a favorite of mine and is nearby.

I might go as far north as lake Tahoe and check out their beaches but that is a bit far for me. I have been to the hotsprings just south of Big Bear and enjoyed that very much.

I like to be able to hike nude. I have done this a few times usually with out problem but I would not want to ruin my trip with a visit to the local jail. I like to get out in the back country. But there should be a hotsprings or skinny dipping spot or two along the way. With that in mind.... any ideas? Thanks

[Trailscout]

Al,

For freshwater swimming holes, both thermal and cool, there is a great Web site. I am pointing you to their western USA page: Western Water Holes (http://www.swimmingholes.org/we.html) Then from Internet Explorer's menu on the top of the screen, select Edit then Find and use the search term "optional" (without the quotes) This will take you to the clothing optional swimming holes. This information is subject to change, so always check with local folks after you make your Web search.

There are several good nude beach Web sites; here's one that has a map of California with clickable links: Beaches Foundation California Page (http://beachesfoundation.org/Maps/California.html)

INA is California based and has some real competent nude beach and nude hiking gurus with current California experience. You are in the right place.

[NudeAl]

Thanks Trail scout, I am checking out that stuff. I also have a small library's worth of books on this subject. I probably have to much book info at this point and it may be cluttering the true facts. I know the odds are kind of slim but I was hoping someone may here may have gone on a similar trip in that part of the country.

Hi Al...The Mammoth area on 395 is a very beautiful area with many trails and the famous Hot Creek hot springs..I skied there in winter many years ago and enjoyed skinny dipping with just 4 other naturists..However I believe skinnydipping is frowned on now and it is very popular and heavily used .There are some more remote smaller springs in the area that might still be C/o.You can usually find less popular scenic trails in the Minaret Wilderness with lakes that you could skinny dip in...Some of these have been shown with the crew from INA on their Todays Photo feature...Good luck... /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Outdoorbare

[NudeAl]

Change of plans I will now be heading up to Yosemite first leg of the trip and depending on crowds and availability of camp sites etc. I may then cross over Tioga pass and head south down the eastern side, stopping at the hotsprings near Mammoth and then down to Deep Creek and then back here, time permitting.

I have not been to Yosemite since I was a kid so it will be like seeing it for the first time for me and my son. I would prefer to go backpacking but he would rather just car camp. I have talked him in to doing some hikes durring the day. Anyone have any thoughts on things I should see or do while I'm there?

The hike to Waterwheel Falls on the Tuolumne river From Tuolumne Meadows is Spectacular!..About 8.5 miles each way...Takes all day...Have fun..Outdoorbare

[luvnaturism]

There are many excellent day hikes available at Tuolomne Meadows or near there. You can find something as strenuous or as easy as you want.

Check out the hike to Bennettville, an old silver mining area. You drive east from Tuolomne Meadows just out of the park to start that one. Beyond the mine you hike downhill a few hundred yards to a trail that goes east up over the hill. This will lead to a chain of five small alpine lakes that are stunning.

During the week you may find that you are the only ones back there, and there are good swimming spots available if you want to try the cold water. We were there recently. I would have gone skinnydipping except that we had people waiting for us, and were flat out of time. It's about a five mile round trip.

These trails weren't on the topo map I looked at, but they're listed in the hiking guidebooks for Tuolomne Meadows.

There are also several granite domes that are fun to climb. They give the appearance of risk while actually you can hike right up them. The trail to Dog Lake, the most popular back country swimming spot (you won't be alone there), goes right by a dome that's particularly fun to climb. The reward at the top is a spectacular view.

Stop by the Information Center at Tuolomne Meadows. You can get all the hiking information you need there. Also, the store has books on the various hikes available.

Unless you and your son are in really good shape, plan to start out with something fairly easy. The altitude will wear you out at first.