Hello all, very happy to have stumbled onto this forum….I am a relatively inexperienced backpacker having made 4 previous trips to Yosemite (Glen Aulin, May Lake, Lehamite Creek, and Young Lakes) usually going with my son and/or daughter and grandson. Due to scheduling problems, we couldn't make a trip this summer sooooo, since I would love to get a quick (kinda easy) mountain fix in, I am thinking of making a quick (2 night) solo trip around September 15th. I have 3 tentative potential trip plans, somewhat depending upon getting a walk-in permit:
1. Cathedral Lakes (1st night) to one of the Sunrise Lakes (2nd night) and 3rd day exit at Tenaya Lake
2. Lyell Canyon to Ireland Lake (1st night) to Vogelsang (2nd night) and exit 3rd day via Rafferty Creek
3. Mono Pass/Parker Pass trailhead to one of the Sardine Lakes just into Ansel Adams Wilderness (1st & 2nd night base camp) and maybe just explore that general area around Parker Pass, etc
Do any of you have any thoughts or comments or preferences re these proposed trips? I will obviously have to pay close attention to weather but it seems like I can make a pretty quick exit if weather appears to be an issue. However, do you happen to know if the Tuolumne Meadows store/grill will be open in mid September? How about the backpackers campground and/or the Tuolumne Meadows shuutle buses? Anyway, thanks for this fun and informative forum and the help.