Flying out tomorrow for my trip, I just have one last question! Has anyone seen the Cathedral pass and Sunrise mountain area recently? Postholer.com seems to show that the snow is gone, but people from the JMT still report snowy but warm conditions although it is unclear when they were on the trail. Would love to hear any last minute suggestions! Lastly, I just want to say THANK YOU to everby Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hey Creakyknees, It is way more than a ride or a bus ticket, but it looks like your best option might be to rent a car...by Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Wow, amazing photos Chick-On! What type of gear were you using for those sun cups and long stretches of snow? Also, should I have water shoes prepared for stream crossings going from Tuolumne down to HI? I have micro spikes and trekking poles for the snow just in case.by Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks Chick-on! I can see that there seems to be a thin layer of snow at Cathedral pass from your photos. I am not sure what this means for a July 15th hike of the area...but I'm optimistic that the Sierra melt is ON!by Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hey all! I hope everyone had an amazing 4th of July. For anyone that visited Tuolumne area and/or High Sierra, what were the conditions like? What do you imagine they will be in 2 weeks? I would love to hear what you guys think. @Chick-On, it looks like you went to the High Sierra? I've heard the snow line has receded to about 9k. Thanks!by Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Tioga road opens tomorrow I believe.by Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hey iivvgg and JustKeepWalking, Thanks for picking up that part of it; you have cleared up any confusion I had about the animal pack trial and the Mist Trail. I now see that my only option was walking on the North side of the Merced on our way down anyway. I think I am still going to face the crowds and check out the falls and viewpoints though, I have never been to this part of the trail aby Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks Tomdisco! Noted. I'm thinking somewhere back behind lake #2. If you have any specific suggestions please let me know!by Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks! Ok good to know that once I pass the log jam below the falls that we are probably good to go. Oh man, you guys are great for taking the time to give me your adviceby Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
This is an awesome breakdown Chick-On, and exactly the kind of sound advice needed to make the right call having never been there. Time won't necessarily be an issue because we would have started our hike by parking at Happy Isle and taking the hiker shuttle to Cathedral Lakes, so our car will just be waiting for us whenever we are ready. We are going to do Half Dome early in the morning aby Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Also great advice! I guess I need to weigh my tolerance for crowds vs. unbelievable sites I have yet to see, and I think I'm leaning towards seeing the falls. Any other gems that you love? I am always looking for inspiration for trip #2!by Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Separately, since there have been so many awesome suggestions on where to set up camp, does anyone have any great spots near sunrise lakes? I'm worried the mosquitoes might be a bit of an issue.by Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Our trip is going to be a gas stove trip. My home mountains of NH have a leave no trace policy just like the Sierra, and We plan on doing the same for this trip. You won't even know we were there. I promise!by Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
WOW! Any chance you would be willing to specifically mark this place on a map?by Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yes! Awesome, so it seems like the best thing to do would probably be to water up and head to the sub-dome. Great advice!by Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks Chick-on! This advice is just what I needed. Maps and compass , Ability to actually use maps - compass - landmarks , Deet , Not being worried about getting wet or snowy . We are aware Sunrise #2 is off-trail and have chosen it for the seclusion. Any opinion on using the lakes and the streams coming from the lakes as filtered water sources? I know there is a creek nearby close the theby Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hey Guys, At the peril of looking like a Sierra amateur, I am seeking advice from what seems to me to be the best and most frequently updated Yosemite forum out there. Thank you in advance for your time and thoughtful responses!!! The trip: I have been preparing for months and have 4 permits (plus half dome permits) for a 3 day 2 night trip from the Cathedral lakes trail head mid-July. Aby Shmeid - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra