We were up there at 5:25am, just in time for sunrise. Only ones on the cables, but there were about 12 others already on top. We were the only four with HD permits. The others all started from the floor between midnight and 2am. Everyone got off the subdome by 7:20, just as the two rangers were getting there to begin checking for permits. I talked to one of the rangers for 10 min or so, and apparby kevclark360 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Video of our trip:by kevclark360 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
On July 1 four of us left Tenaya for Couds Rest. Gave up on it due to snow, but others did summit. We camped near the junction of JMT and Clouds Rest trail on a plateau looking up at Half Dome. Great location, plenty of water (though we camped about 500 feet away to avoid mosquitoes). Then we woke at 2:30 and were on top of Half Dome by 5am to give us a great view of sunrise over Clouds Rest. Greby kevclark360 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
We did post hole, but only three or four times per person (did break one of my trekking poles, though). If you are hiking through the the floor you shouldn't need any type of cramp-on. We would have liked them mostly for the down part had we gone back out to Tenaya, but we also ended up hiking through. I haven't been up there since last weekend so I am not sure how much snow has melted, but thereby kevclark360 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
When we left, yes, there was a lot of snow. But it is melting fast. When we hit the trail on Friday morning the trail sign was under snow. When we got back to the truck on Sunday the sign was clear as was much of the trail to the creek. From the top of the switchbacks you drop on a south-facing slope into a valley/bowl. The south facing side has no snow. When we got to the bottom, in the treesby kevclark360 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I know. Wishful thinking got the better of logic. Tenaya Outlet Crossing: Going up the "switchbacks":by kevclark360 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just got back from a great trip: Sunrise Lakes to the Valley floor. We crossed Tenaya outlet no problem. Up to our waist. Had full packs on, very easy. Lots and lots of snow. More than I had anticipated, but manageable. Just slow going. However, we did decide to go out via Mist Trail rather than go back down the switchbacks above Tenaya Lake. We met another couple on those switchbacks going up usby kevclark360 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Great photos. Very optimistic for July 1. Thanks.by kevclark360 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for all the advice, and I really appreciate the photos. As of now, after speaking with a ranger toady, our group is going to try the crossing. Get some dry sacks for the packs and take the plunge. Won't be my first creek crossing in the snow, but looks to be the longest at this point! I'll take some before/after photos to post. If too cold, we'll just walk out via Mist Trail and catch a shby kevclark360 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for that suggestion. Any idea how many miles that adds if we are trying to reach JMT and Clouds Rest trailhead?by kevclark360 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Impressive. Thanks for the photos. I guess plan B may be in order. Anyone have an answer to this: I have a WP for two nights to leave from Sunrise Lakes trail head. Plan on camping near the intersection of JMT and Clouds Rest trail. Since we may not be able to cross Tenaya outlet, how strict are the rangers if we wanted to leave from the valley floor as long as we camp in the same location we wouby kevclark360 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hello MTC. I came across your forum here as I was doing research for a very similar hike. We are planning on crossing the Tenaya Lake outlet on July 1, a few days after you, with full packs. If you get any photos I would love to see how deep the crossing is so I can be prepared. I am hoping it's not much higher than waist high, but if the ranger you spoke with says chest high, may need to go up tby kevclark360 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion