Hi there,
I'm looking for some advice on a backpacking trip to Yosemite in a few weeks for a total of 5 nights, hopefully including climbing Half Dome. We both have never been to Yosemite and are going to take a trip there right after Labor Day. My wife and I are experienced hikers and trail runners and I have intermediate backpacking experience, with a few trips taken to Sequoia. My wife is as fit as I am, but doesn't have much backpacking experience outside of a few 2-night trips in the Los Padres Nat'l Forest. I'm hoping that this trip awestrucks her with the beauty of the High Sierra and gives us a little bit of a workout (we like the pain...).
I've been scouring these forums, blogs, and the NPS website for good advice but I'm still really confused as to what we should do. Right now we have 2 general plans:
1. Car camp at Crane Flat for the first 2 nights, then backpack for 3 nights. We'd hit some major sites like Glacier Point and the Sequoias the first day; the second day we'd climb half dome; the third day we'd head out backpacking for 3 nights.
2. Car camp at Crane Flat for the first night. That day we'd hopefully arrive in the early afternoon so we would try to still see Glacier Point and other sites. The second day, we'd head out to backpack for the next 4 nights hopefully including an ascent of Half Dome.
For plan #2, I was thinking we could leave our car parked in the Valley and take a shuttle to Tenaya Lake or Tuolumne, then backpack down to Half Dome, ending at our car. What would be a good route for this trip and where would we camp? There are still a few permits available for our dates leaving from those spots, but not going the Cathedral way. I suspect getting walk-up permits won't be a big deal though. Also, would this trip be a great first-time trip to Yosemite? Is the backpacking from Tenaya Lake or Tuolumne Meadows to Half Dome great?
For plan #1, After doing half dome, what would be a good 3 night backpacking trip?
Also, should I not worry about planning every detail and just plan on going to the ranger station when we first arrive and asking them for advice?
If you're still reading this far down, thank you! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!