Dan-O wrote:
> Hello Everyone!
>
> I am planning to climb half dome in late Aug or Sept on a
> weekend. I'm looking to hike the first day to a campsite,
> summit the next day (hopefully before the mad rush of day
> hikers), then return to my car and leave that same day. As of
> now I can not get a wilderness permit leaving from the valley
> or Glacier Point (I am aware I can wait in line the day prior,
> but I am unable to arrive any earlier).
The system is what it is. If you want to reserve a popular entrance trailhead, you'll need to do it well in advance. If you want take your chance trying to get a first-come first-served permit, you'll need to show up early. It seems to be designed for people who reserve early or have flexibility in their schedules to secure an unreserved permit.
> My question to you all is:
>
> Is there another route I can take and complete in the time
> allowed??
From Tenaya Lake (Sunrise Lakes Trailhead) is about 11 miles from Half Dome. There are a few August dates and many Sept dates where it isn't full. I did this, and it's not too bad if you get a good night's sleep before heading to Half Dome.
Some people start from Olmstead Point, although it's a few miles longer. I'd recommend Sunrise Lakes.
> Is there a way to finish and catch a ride back to my car??
You might be able to flag the Tuolumne hikers bus, although that's rather iffy. I got to the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead by the shuttle (should run until August) and hiked back to Yosemite Valley.
http://www.yosemitepark.com/Activities_GuidedActivities_TuolumneMeadows.aspxAddendum: You won't be able to manage getting a permit on your start date and manage to take the Tuolumne hikers bus on the same day. The bus leaves Curry Village at 8 AM, Yosemite Village at 8:05 AM, and Yosemite Lodge at 8:20 AM. You'll also have to buy your tickets, although the driver might do that for you if you hand over the cash. The wilderness permit stations open at 8 AM. Also - first-come, first-served permits are issued with a preferences for the closest permit station to the trailhead.
You might have a better chance in Sept when it's less busy, but water sources are going to be an issue.> I saw the link to see when all the permits are taken for each
> day, but is outdated and still shows availability from Glacier
> Point for the day my permit request was denied. Does anyone
> have an updated link???
The only info more current is the Yosemite reservation computers.
> Also, how much water shall I bring for 2 days of hiking?? With
> the low snow pack this year I am curious about the availability
> of water along the route.
2 gallons. That's going to be a problem because that's a lot of weight. There's no telling if the decent water sources along the way will run dry. I have the suspicion that many will.
I don't think your plan is reasonable, although doable. You'll need to find a suitable camping site. Most don't recommend taking a heavy pack up the cables, and the packs I saw left at the base of the cables were raided by squirrels for food.
You might be better off doing this early as a day hike. You could leave at about 5 AM and get up to the cables by 9-10 AM. There's a lot less likelihood of a line at the cables if you can do this on a weekday. If you choose to do this on a weekend, then you'll have to put up with bigger crowds.
Post Edited (07-03-07 18:20)
