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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 25, 2016 - 12:35pm PT
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I've got a friendly debate going with friends who also like walking too far to climb and play.
What's the furthest you can get from the road (dirt or otherwise), on a straight line, in California?
My bet it Simpson Meadow on the Middle Fork of the Kings River.
If I still had access to ArcGIS it would be a pretty easy question to answer, but all I've got are maps, and a teeny tiny brain, and access to a forum full of weirdos.
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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Jan 25, 2016 - 12:44pm PT
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Glacier Ridge and Whaleback come to mind. Those were my friend's last SPS peaks, which according to him were few of the most remote peaks in the range to climb. Went along with him to climb and celebrate the finish. The hike was 24 miles from the trailhead one way. Beautiful area. Hiking past a cool dome called the Sugraloaf. Deadman canyon and Cloud Canyons are deep in there fer sure!!
Would be incredible to check it out in winter...
Cool spires on the way to Glacier Ridge too..
photo from summitpost
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 25, 2016 - 12:48pm PT
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Vitaliy, make that picture a little bigger, I only had to scroll sideways like 3 times to see it.
Actually, that area is more remote than I though, about 11 miles on a line from road's end as well as Lodgepole parking. Simpson Meadow is 12 or 13 so it still has it beat, barely.
Edit: darn it, you made the picture smaller so now I look the fool
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this just in
climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
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Jan 25, 2016 - 12:49pm PT
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My guess would be in the desert somewhere.
Those places look cooler though.
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10b4me
Mountain climber
Retired
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Jan 25, 2016 - 12:50pm PT
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Someplace in NE California, east of Alturas.
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Jan 25, 2016 - 12:50pm PT
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There is an old thread:
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1285047/California-geography-puzzler
Seems to be two spots:
Macomb Ridge in far northern Yosemite that is 13 miles from the roads at Leavitt Lake, Mono Village, Harden Lake (White Wolf) and Hetch Hetchy Dam.
Tunemah Peak on the White Divide that is about 13.5 miles from South Lake, Wishon Reservoir and the Kings Canyon Road.
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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Jan 25, 2016 - 12:51pm PT
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How far of a hike is it from the closest TH though? The question is what is the longest approach via a trail to a particular spot right? Or if you had a straight line from the closest TH?
Also, the whole Erikson Crags area is fairly far if you are hiking in from the closest TH. And Gardiner/Clarence king are not close, although not super far, unless you want to get to the north side of the formation.
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Risk
Mountain climber
Olympia, WA
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Jan 25, 2016 - 12:55pm PT
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It could be in Northern Yosemite, somewhere near Wilma Lake, Tilden Lake, or Stubblefied Canyon. Simpson sure is out there, though.
edit: Macomb Ridge area. There's a road that goes nearly to the summit of Spanish Mountain.
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Jan 25, 2016 - 12:57pm PT
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How far of a hike is it from the closest TH though?
That's going to be a hard one to answer since most of these places aren't serviced by a trail. It is "possible" to go anywhere traveling in roughly a straight line although it generally won't be the easiest or quickest way.
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Jan 25, 2016 - 12:59pm PT
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It's not the Ionian Basin? You feel like you are really out there in this place at least. Although the Southern Sierra does have some really cool and tough to get to areas...
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Hubbard
climber
San Diego
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Jan 25, 2016 - 01:06pm PT
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It is deep in the brush of Mount Woodson.
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Jan 25, 2016 - 01:13pm PT
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^^^^^^rumors abound that You have been busy.....
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Urizen
Ice climber
Berkeley, CA
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Jan 25, 2016 - 01:15pm PT
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It's not as easy to measure objectively as distance is, but there certainly are places that are more remote in terms of time and effort, even if they don't appear to be so on a map. It's not a long hard trip to get up onto the Kern-Kaweah Divide at the head of the Glacier Ridge. Not nearly as long and hard as, say, the Devil's Crags--or Simpson Meadows for that matter.
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Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Jan 25, 2016 - 01:26pm PT
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I was thinking somewhere are The Whaleback as well, or maybe around Mt. Harrison. Muro Blanco in Kings Canyon. Dumbbell Lakes. Several candidates really.
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WBraun
climber
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Jan 25, 2016 - 01:29pm PT
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I hiked from the top of Mt. Whitney to Mineral King cross country once back in the late 60's.
Very remote.
Got lost for a while too.
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Gary
Social climber
Where in the hell is Major Kong?
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Jan 25, 2016 - 01:31pm PT
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The most remote spot in California is the summit of Devil's Crag #1.
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 25, 2016 - 01:44pm PT
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Thanks Banquo, I'll have to look through that thread and do some Google Earth measuring when I get home to satisfy my curiosity but those sound like good possibilities.
I got this from the USGS. Not enough detail to really get good info but fun to look at anyway. Basically darker green is further from the nearest road.
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Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
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Jan 25, 2016 - 03:13pm PT
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the greyhound station in Merced.
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 25, 2016 - 03:29pm PT
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Just thinking of distance from the nearest road, no other specifications. NE California has a lot of dirt roads so there really aren't many places all that far from your car.
Check out the map I posted on the first page, Id say southern or central Sierra is gonna hold the answer. And Banquo likely already answered it.
As far as remoteness based on trail length or time of approach, I'd say halfway up some remote wall or in the back of a deep cave will probably be the most "remote" place in CA :)
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