We are planning a trip to Yosemite June 21 – 29, 2014. The group includes my husband and I and our 12 & 14 y/o girls. We need help with plans for an overnight backcountry trip. We have done prior backcountry hiking in Yellowstone, Grand Teton and the White and Green Mountains and are able to do 5-10 miles/day (want to keep it fun for the kids)
After several days in King’s Canyon, we will likely settle in the Valley June 21-June 24. We plan to take short hikes, raft Merced river, maybe horseride…. but additionally we would like to plan an overnight backcountry hiking trip. Once we have backcountry permit then we will apply for campground for other nights and plan other valley activities. June 25th we have reservations at Toloumne Meadow in a canvas tent. Through the lottery we secured permits for High Sierra Camps Glen Aulin and May Lake 6/26 and 6/27. We spend our last night 6/28 at Ahwahee.
I’ve done some research but we would appreciate advice as we apply for a wilderness permit for an overnight hike (first days to submit requests are this weekend). I understand camping is not allowed within 4 mi of Valley, Glacier Point and Tuolumne Meadow, within 1 mi of any road, within 100 ft water and 100 ft trail. I think hiking from high elevation (ie Glacier Point) down to low elevation (ie Valley) will be less strenuous for our group. I also understand that when submitting wilderness permit, you have to designate the entering and exiting trailhead and where you will camp the first night.
We are considering the below hikes. Any feedback about these trails or other hiking ideas would be greatly appreciated. Worry some trails might not yet be opened because of snow melt. Also wondering if some trails are just so popular during this time, with such small quotas, that better to avoid.
From Glacier point to yosemite valley:
#1 Pohono trail Glacier Point trailhead to Wawona Tunnel view trailhead, camp at Bridal Veil Creek or Dewey Point. I’m not sure if this is too ambitious. I’m not exactly sure where we would camp. I understand transportation between Wawona and back to the Valley at the end of the hike is a real problem.
#2 Glacier Point to panorama trail to JMT to Yosemite Valley 8.5. Enter Glacier point Illouette trailhead, exit Happy Isle trailhead. camp Illouette Basin. Not sure if camping is allowed and where it is allowed. Possible concern that too steep and wet downhill at end of trail with packs on our backs. Maybe too crowded.
Glacier Point to Ostrander Lake or beyond to Hart Lake?
Glacier Point to Mcgurk meadow trail to meadow and beyond to Dewy Point and camp at Bridalveil Creek?
From Tioga Rd:
#3 Porcupine Creek (aka North Dome) – Porcupine Creek trailhead enter & exit. Camp at base of North Dome or Royal Arch Creek.
Yosemite Creek – Yosemite Creek camp gd trailhead. Camp west side of Yosemite Creek at Yosemite Falls.
From Tuolumne Meadows:
#4 Cathedral Lakes – Cathedral Lake trail head enter and exit, 8 mi, camp Cathedral Pass.
#5 Young Lake trailhead loop via Dog Lake – Young Lake trail head enter and exit, Stay at Roosevelt Lake or western side of 1st Young Lake.
#6 Clouds Rest – Sunrise Lakes trailhead enter and exit @ Tenya Lake, camp near tributary of Tenya Creek at 4.5 mi
Lyell canyon - Lyell Canyon trail head enter and exit. Camp in Alger Lakes Basin Will it be open?
Poly Dome Lakes 13 mi, 6 hrs, easy, Camp at lakes at base of Poly Dome. What is the trailhead?