Did loop via Beehive Meadows to Lake Vernon and back via Tiltill Valley/Rancheria Falls from 5/27 through 5/29.
Initial switchbacks suck. Hot and tons of annoying flies. Keep an eye out for rattlers as well (almost stepped on one). Beautiful trail after the first 3 miles.
Ran into a bear head on shortly after Beehive Meadows. No problem. It ran off as soon as it saw me.
I stayed at Lake Vernon on Friday and Saturday night. Very nice. Light crowds. Light mosquitoes. Friday night at 6:30 PM a mother bear and cub walked right into my hammock camp. Very cute cub. Mother not afraid of me at all but did not cause any problems. Tons of deer in the area as well.
Headed toward Tiltill Valley early Sunday. Small patches of snow above 7000 feet. No problems staying on trail. A few fallen trees here and there. Descent down to Tiltill is pretty dry and hot. Lots of thorny brush (at times pretty overgrown).
Tiltill still very wet. Sandals are a must. About 100 yards of walking through 5-12 inches of water.
I was going to stay at Rancheria on Sunday but just could not get excited about the area. Tons of little biting flies harassed me relentlessly. Also heard from multiple folks that Saturday night was obnoxiously crowded and noisy. Ended up hiking through and driving home a day early.
In summary, very glad that I stayed at Lake Vernon both nights. Wildlife interaction was probably the best I have ever experienced in Yosemite. Well worth the long hike in and out.
