Yosemite Forum

I am from the East Coast and I am trying to plan a trip along the JMT. I am planning on arriving in Yosemite around May 1st and I am hoping to do several shorter (1-3) day trips to test gear and get used to the higher altitude. How difficult is it to get wilderness permits at the beginning of May? Do I have to plan these trips out far in advance in order to secure a permit? Or this early in the season can I play it by ear?

It is early in the season. No problem with permits. The problem i s snow. The Tioga. Road is usually closed until mid or late May. The trail is snow bound at higher elevations.

Thanks for the response! Glad to hear about the permits. I am definitely aware (and hopefully prepared ) for the snow. Any recommendations for good 10-25 mile trips? This question could certainly be worthy of a whole separate topic, but I would be interested to hear any suggestions.