Re: Looking for 2-day (one night) backpack south of Glacier Pt. Rd.

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ags

Looking for 2-day (one night) backpack south of Glacier Pt. Rd.
October 03, 2016 12:23PM

Registered: 10 years ago
Posts: 322

I have an open weekend coming up, and would like to get more time in Yosemite before winter sets in (and I lament the next 9 months for not getting into Yosemite enough during the summer... yes, I know the park is still open in the winter - I'm working on that...)

I've been to a lot of places over the years - often more than once. There are three big gaps that I see when reviewing my routes:

1) The multiple forks feeding into Merced River (Red Peak Fork, Triple Peak Fork, Merced Peak Fork, Lyell Fork). I have been south of there and it was great (Red Peak Pass, Merced Pass, Post Peak Pass, Fernandez Pass, etc)
2) The area south of Glacier Pt Rd, (Ostrander Lake area)
3) The area roughly bounded by White Wolf, Aspen Valley & Hetch Hetchy

I have just two days, one night. 20-25 mile loop would be good, cross-country is great (if not bushwhacking due to time limitation). Granite and peaks and streams are great. Few people is really great.

1) I suspect that two days is really not enough time for me to enjoy the Merced headwater forks - and all LYV passthrough advance reservation permits are not available (see below).

2) Because of the short time for hiking, I was hoping for an advance reservation for entry (rather than burning time waiting for same-day permit) but for Oct 8th many THs are still showing no availability. My first thought was to enter at Happy Isles up Mist Trail or Glacier Pt along Panorama Trail and then following Illilouette Creek south but both HI and GP THs are full. I've never entered through Mono Meadow TH and suppose that could work. Topo maps make it look feasible to make a loop XC from Edson Lake over granite to Ostrander Lake and then back to Glacier Point Rd. I could also enter at Peregoy Meadow TH to Ostrander Lake then XC to Mono Meadow or GP TH exit. Or enter Pergoy TH then through Westfall Meadows and Turner Meadow, along Chilnualna Creek up to Hart/Edson then (if possible) XC to Ostrander and back to Peregoy TH. Like I said, I've never been in this particular area so it's all lines on the topo map to me at this point. Guidance or suggestions here are appreciated.

3) I have never thought of the area south of HH, I've always gone north (typically Beehive/Rancheria Falls). Just adding it here as an option but really don't know what's there.

If none of this is recommended, I realize I've never been to the diving board, or Lost Lake. I could take a day to get there, and explore the site of Snow's Hotel and the remnants of Anderson's Trail. I'd still need a plan for Sunday. I've already been up Ledge Trail, Sierra Point, Rainbow View/Rockslides, Inspiration Point. I prefer a night of solitude, stars, serenity in the wilderness if possible.

I have decided that there is no such thing as a "throw away trail" in Yosemite. Well, maybe along busy roads in the valley itself. Otherwise, there's always something great.

Suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2016 03:13PM by ags.