Quotebuster To follow up on my post, I thought about the permit rule changes that have come about in the last 10 years or so that were very likely because of abuse of the permit system. Half Dome: At first, with the half dome permits, there was no limit for backpackers. If your trip reasonably went past Half Dome, you could a permit to go up Half Dome. Now there is a limit for the number of baby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Coolburn, If you take the North Dome Trail past Indian Rock trail Junction and keep going, you cross a creek (last water source) then ascend onto Indian Ridge. keep looking to the right and you will see a camp site just before the trail turns left down to North Dome. There used to be a rock fire ring and the site is next to shrubs. You will have to carry water for the last mile or so but the lby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Pines, This site gets crazy busy in summer so the Rangers do check usually before 9pm so you could take a chance and turn up late. Most people are not aware that most of the land around 120, Groveland, and Hetch Hetchy is National Forest land so you can camp there as long as you follow the USFS dispersed camping rules including obtaining a campfire permit so you can use a stove, I'm just noby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Kevin, Will you hiking or trail running? If you are trail running the Altras are a great choice. If you are hiking for more than a couple of hours its not going to be fun with wet boots. Like Mark I also have Moab Ventilators but this are really intended to reduce sweating in hot conditions, if they get wet they take a while to dry. If you are going to doing day hikes or backpacking a two sby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Iygio, Lower Merced Pass Lake, now there's a story... Most people have heard about this, here's a good summary based on the facts, apparently there are still parts of the plane around the lake but the dope has long gone, http://www.mensjournal.com/features/articles/the-legend-of-yosemites-dope-lake-w209503by Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Lowell, 1 - The Glacier Point Tour bus runs every day leaving Yosemite Falls Lodge at 8:30 and 1:30. Best to book early so you get a seat. This is the best option for your route because it lets you hike out to Happy Isles rather than having to Hike up to GP to collect your car on the last day. http://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/guided-bus-tours/ 2 - Yes you can over night parkby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Cjkohen, Thats' a great permit at my favorite time of year, I'm jealous:-) You have plenty of time which means you have options. You main decision is if you want to take the easier JMT or take the opportunity to check out Clouds Rest, given the time you have it would be a shame not to experience Clouds Rest, on a clear day this is the best view in Yosemite plus it gives you the chance to lby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Tsarles, If you can go later, it looks like there are still permits available for early October. The weather is still usually good but would need to check closer to you trip. The reason they are available is the TM camp site will be closed and the shuttle bus won't be running so you would need to drive and leave cars at each trailhead. Oh and just to further complicate your trip, you can't parby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
ivvgg, I did this route in late July 2011 which was after a snowy winter, there were patches of snow over Red Peak Pass but passable with care. Just be careful with navigation, I was lazy and followed some foot prints that took me way off track. You may also want to consider the Backpackers Campsite next to the Merced Lake Hi Sierra Camp, I know its next to the tent cabins however its usualby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Backpacker87, Dave_A is correct about needing a Wilderness Permit to use the back packers campground. You used to be able to stay her one night on the basis you were going to try and get a walk up permit the following morning. This rule was often abused so now you actually have to get the permit first, again this shouldn't be a big issue at the time of year you are planning to visit so you canby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Basilbop, Thanks for the clarification, I have always picked them up from the Valley Visitor Center, its always a good idea to go they and get a conditions update from the Rangers anyway. I have never had a problem with availability even for Happy Isles at weekend.by Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Backpacker87, If you plan on camping or backpacking at this time of year, your best strategy is to have some options. I would strongly recommend that you try and book one of the valley campgrounds, they usually get booked up as soon as the booking window opens but people often cancel before the two week cancellation window closes so keep checking the website. I don't believe you can pre-booby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Kevin, Check out the Badger Pass, sorry Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area webcam, looks like today would be an excellent day. The planned opening date is the 16th December so they do expect snow. http://www.travelyosemite.com/winter/yosemite-ski-snowboard-area-webcam/ You may also want to check out Open Snow, Bryan does a great job of forecasting snow in Tahoe which would give you a goodby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
StellaRose, Where are you planning on hiking? Crossing a mountain pass is somewhat different to a hike around Yosemite valley trails. The guidelines for winter hiking are the same as any other hike, the only difference is you need to be prepared with a few more clothing options and less hours of daylight. Here are a few simple pointers; - Make sure you let somebody knows your route and wby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
AGS, If you are planning more shorter trips this could be a lighter option, especially if the lid works with your stove. If you use a Jetboil or similar the pan as a lid concept isn't such a benefit. http://lighter1.com/products/ The smaller Bear Vault 450 is a good value option but still around 2lb, I like this because of the wide and easy to open top. I do as Mark suggested a fill it wby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Troutwild, Be aware the rules changed a year or two back. You used to be able to camp there on the basis you were going to go to the Wilderness Center to try and grab an on the day Wilderness Permit the following day. This was abused so they changed it to so you had to have a valid permit before you could camp. With a WP you can can the night before and the night after your trip. There areby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
ags, Unless you are a natural back sleeper a hammock is probably not going to work for you. You obviously need trees but can lash up some hammocks like Hennessy on the ground to make a bivy sac. You also need to think if you always want to camp under trees, if it is damp or foggy the moisture can condense on the tree and create you own person rain shower. Also if it is windy you may have to pby Bilko - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra