Yea I figured to give them a call. There is so much Yosemite expertise on this site I thought I could get the answer here. No agony, just anticipation. Plus having this topic might help others with the same question in the future.by traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoterje The 100-person number for wilderness users is an average based on historic use by wilderness permit holders and is not a fixed quota. Any person with a wilderness permit appropriate for hiking to Half Dome will get a Half Dome permit for any day of their choosing (within what makes sense with their wilderness permit). I wonder if I will have to specify the the day when I pick up my perby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I read this on the Half Dome permit page. "Note: Backpackers with an appropriate wilderness permit can receive a Half Dome permit when they pick up their wilderness permit with no additional reservation required." Can someone tell me how this works? When I go into the permit office to get the permit I just pick a day during the trip and get a guaranteed permit?by traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Percent of normal for this date 188% Not Bad!by traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I am very thankful that I was able to spend some time in Yosemite this year.by traildad - General Discussion
I think this is where I got confused. But it is becoming clearer. QuoteAlmostThere Quotetraildad Ok now I see Moraine Dome. I guess I was reading it with the idea of a hike to Half Dome, so I wasn't looking over there. I wouldn't think you would want to continue on past Moraine Dome if you were heading to Half Dome. It looks like the hike from 120 by way of Clouds Rest, over to Half Dome andby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Maybe when the subject came up before we go sidetracked over the whole idea if hiking to Half Dome was worth doing. I seem to remember someone saying that one trail that was not worth the hike. I have probably mixed things up. I have never hiked the area, and Google Earth isn't very good for picking a scenic trail. That is why I asked about it here. It really helps to talk to people that have &quby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yes the full moon is a problem. On the nights before the peak the moon sets before dawn. I hope to get a peek around 3-4am. Actually the tentative route I planned is from Tuolumne Meadows to Tenaya Lake and then Clouds Rest. I understand that I can take a route that does pass by Sunrise Lakes. Kenby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotechick-on You may want to avoid Clouds Rest. The bright lights of Turlock may make seeing the Perseids impossible. I would want to avoid that. QuoteSeriously though, how is Sunrise Lakes higher than CR? Not sure what you are thinking there. Going off trail N of Sunrise #3 (eastern most one). ??? You are right. I was using Google Earth to check out elevations. I guess I didn't put the cuby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
OK so the trailheads are filled quickly. Yes the reason I am bringing this up now is I was looking ahead to figure out the first day I could make my reservations. Six months early I believe. Since I hope to do this during the Perseids I have a limited window. thanks Kenby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I don't mind the water, is the viewing better at Clouds Rest. I am planning on going there as part of the trip. I thought Sunrise Lakes would be better because it was higher. I am not sure what you mean about the permit. I plan to start in Tuolumne Meadows. If Sunrise is not my fist night, can't I go in without a reservation? I wouldn't necessarily go to a HSC. I would be looking for someplacby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I am thinking about my Half Dome trip next summer. I figure it would be fun to go during the Perseid Meteor shower. The full moon will be a problem around the peak time. I would like to camp as high as possible one day to improve the conditions. The area around Sunrise lakes is up near 10,000 ft and is not to far off my route. Is this area good for camping? I am thinking about hiking from Tuolumnby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Well maybe the link included in the first post would have made it clearer? Maybe it is a subtle point, but parking in a parking lot is not really parking "on" Tioga road. When I parked in July, I parked "on" Tioga rd near Pothole Dome. I was unsure if only that was no longer allowed. Notice how they worded it on the sign in the photo from the link? Anywhere as opposed to on. Iby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I am not sure I understand. Can you still park overnight in the Wilderness Permit office parking lot?by traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Going during the Perseid, that's an interesting idea.by traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Excellent, I will check it out. Thanks Kenby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
If you mean me that is determined to do Half Dome then I suppose yes. I wasn't exactly looking for opinions on trips I should do instead of Half Dome. Opinions on doing Half Dome as a backpack trip rather than a day hike. I really wouldn't consider the day hike. This has nothing to do with a fad hike. I know you see the crowds and it is easy to lump me in with the rest. I didn't even know that yoby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
If I get lucky and am able to avoid weather problems I will have time to spare. I was thinking about what I would do to extend the trip in that case. It sounds like your suggestion of hiking up the Merced would be a great way to spend the time. I wouldn't have to get permits for a new hike or travel to a different part of the park. Sounds like a good idea. Kenby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
What an excellent story. Holding that up as a trip to aspire to is something I love to see. My backpacking is about going to places that are special, (to me). That sounds really special. To offer your ideas of a great place to see I don't consider to be criticism. Bordering on ridiculing someones choice might be different. I hope you don't think I am upset etc. I understand we don't always expresby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
One can assume that it will all be there 50 years from now. No guarantee I will be though. I don't know if Hiking from Tuolumne Meadows past Tenaya Lake to Clouds Rest and up Half Dome would totally qualify as helicoptering around Half Dome. I value the opinions, and have changed my perspective from the traditional hike up from the valley and back. Half Dome is very much an iconic image of Yosemiby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Well the point of taking a week is to have multiple chances to summit Half Dome. I would hate to go all the way just to miss out because weather was a problem.by traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Ok now I see Moraine Dome. I guess I was reading it with the idea of a hike to Half Dome, so I wasn't looking over there. I wouldn't think you would want to continue on past Moraine Dome if you were heading to Half Dome. It looks like the hike from 120 by way of Clouds Rest, over to Half Dome and down to the valley could be enjoyable. What are the pluses or minuses of choosing the route goingby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I have not been able to find Moraine Dome yet, so I am not sure which way that is. I use a filter, but it seems that the water goes fast, especially when using dehydrated food. Water near camp or at least on the way to Half Dome so I can refill in the morning and again when returning to camp.by traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
This is from the Yosemite site. The first camping available is at the Little Yosemite Valley Campground. Camping is not permitted between Yosemite Valley and Little Yosemite Valley. If you would like to camp in a dispersed Wilderness setting, you must be at least two miles past the campground (at or beyond either Moraine Dome or the Half Dome/John Muir Trail junction). Camping is not permittedby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I am not sure if I completely understand your question. I am hoping to camp as close as possible to Half Dome. Is that what you are suggesting? I suppose that would be the reason if not. I will have to find the spots you are mentioning.by traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The photo of the camp site on Google Earth looks like he continued a little past the junction of the Half Dome trail towards Clouds Rest. If the ground is reasonably level closer to Half Dome that might be better. I plan to allow a week or so in case I need to abort because of weather. Once I am back down and heading down the trail I guess I can decide then how far I want to hike. Stay out anotheby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Next year I hope to stand on top of Half Dome. I would love to hear thoughts and tips on doing this hike. My plan is to hike as far as I can the first day. Do Half Dome as a day hike from there and return to camp. Then hike back to the valley on the third day. Would it be wise to leave much or even anything in camp while on a day hike? On Google Earth I saw a photo that was labeled as a good placby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks. I have had a lot of fun with my neutral density filters.by traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Rocky Rabbit up at May Lakeby traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks. I am trying to coin a new term. I am not a full fledged backpacker nor any kind of pro photographer. Hikeographer? No. Photopacker. No. Hmmm.by traildad - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion