Anyone hitched either to or out of Sonora Pass just north of Yosemite on route 108 to or from route 395?
rambler
Sonora Pass 108 Hitch out to 395?
system
#2
I hitched down to Bridgeport in 2008 from Sonora Pass. It was a four hour hitch, but we did eventually get down there. Getting back up was relatively easy, maybe a 20 minute hitch. I wouldn’t recommend this spot to hitch from if you can arrange something else, but it is doable if you’re really set on it.
However, we were there on a weekday (A wednesday or something, I believe). In 2009 I hiked through without hitching down (due to my bad experience in 2008), but this time there were tons of cars stopped at the pass. I believe it was a sunday in 2009. I formerly didn’t think there could be THAT much of a difference in traffic for weekday/weekend but sure enough, it was a huge difference.
So if you’re going to try making this hitch on a weekend, it’s not difficult. On a weekday, however, it can be VERY difficult. Definitely keep that in mind.
Joker
system
#3
In '97 I hitched down to Bridgeport from Sonora Pass. I ran into some hikers in the parking lot at the Pass, so it was easy to get a ride. The hitch back up was fairly easy as well.
It’s always relatively easy to hitch with fellow hikers, so I would check the parking lot first. It’s not too far to Kennedy Meadows, so you might be able to get a ride to the store there if nobody is going all the way down to 395/Bridgeport. Good Luck!
freebird
system
#4
in 2008,we (2 people)got a ride down (one car) to bridgeport in less than 1/2 an hour, then they proceded to buy us breakfast!
the ride back was two cars,minimal waiting, friendly people.
we did laundry,showered and were invited to lunch at a private residence in bridgeport.
neighbor
system
#7
I’ve spent a lot of time hiking in the Sonora Pass area. The pass is beautiful and lots of people like to stop there when headed over. People like to take pictures next to the sign so hang out in that area and offer to take there picture for them then pop the question.
The weekends will have a lot more cars.
Brett
system
#8
It is a potential double hitch. There is water at 395 but, be sure to clean it well (it’s a cow field).
Did it in 2007. Even with a female hiker, it still took the two of us a long time, both ways.
Agree, weekends are better for hitching. Weekends are always better so why not plan on it? Suggestion: camp or hitch from there Friday. No luck? Hitch in on Saturday morning, back out Sunday evening.
If your stuck in town on a week day, hire someone if you have to. Worked for me further down south (Independence).
It’s all about the aventure.
Have fun
WB
system
#9
There is a a small camp area, picnic area, and parking area at the pass. I was able to ask one of the picnickers for a ride. Bridgeport is expensive, be prepared!
Robocop
Robocop
system
#10
That was our hardest hitch ever, anywhere. Took five hours, even for a middle-aged married couple. But it was early in the season, still snow-covered so no day hikers, and mid-week, so very little tourist traffic. We hired a waitress in Bridgeport to drive us back the next day. If I hike the PCT again, I’ll try to find a way to skip that hitch.
Garlic