Permit Workaround - need help

[Brookside]

I'm planning a 3 day/2 night backpacking trip in August during the week (not weekend) with my wife.

Of course Happy Isles is booked so I got a permit for Mono Meadows. My plan is to begin at Happy Isles anyway, hike to the top of Half Dome, set up camp somewhere along Sunrise Creek on the John Muir trail (12 miles on day 1). Day 2 we will continue to Sunrise Lakes and then to Merced Lake for night 2. Day 3 we'll exit via Happy Isles.

Three Questions:
1) Seeing that we're not actually entering the trailhead on our permit, do you think there will be any problems? It is believable that we reach our night 1 camp area from Mono Meadow so I'm only really concerned with getting stopped on Happy Isles as we begin. We could say that we're doing a day hike to Half Dome, which we wouldn't need a permit for, but then again we'll have large packs so that might not be believeable.
2) How difficult is that first day of of hiking?
3) Is it safe to stash our packs somewhere off the trail as we ascend Half Dome?

Thanks for any help.

[bill-e-g]

That's not a Permit Workaround.
That's lying and cheating. If you get Mono Meadow you are
required to camp in the Illiouette Basin on your first night.

Just extend your trip by one day and then you don't have to lie.
You'll have to lie when u pick up your permit probably since
they will more than likely ask you where you are camping on day 1.

Day 2. Uh. Sunrise LAKES? Doubt you will do that about 18
miles to Sunrise Lakes then Sunrise HSC then Merced Lake.

[AlmostThere]

A few things to remember: the most patrolled backcountry in the Sierras is in Yosemite. The most heavily used corridor in Yosemite is Happy Isles to Half Dome. There is a ranger residing in a cabin in Little Yosemite Valley. The rangers will check permits on the trail at any point.

Rangers have been known to escort people off the trail, levy a fine, and facilitate your exit from the park for infractions of the sort you describe. You'd be better off showing up at the valley wilderness office the day before your planned start date, very early (4-5 am) in the morning, to stand in line and get a different permit - for Happy Isles.

Why backtrack to Merced Lake? I'd do the hike one way - take the hiker bus to Tuolumne Meadows, hike downhill instead of up, stopping at Clouds and Half Dome on the way back to the car. Or since you have a better chance at a permit for Sunrise TH at Tuolumne, drive to Tioga, get in line early as described, get the permit, start hiking. Camp near Clouds and again at LYV. walk out and stay in the backpacker camp in the valley, be a tourist, get tickets for the hiker bus the next morning, shower, sleep, get on the bus and head back to the car.

[tm]

What you are proposing is not cool. Permit quota’s are set and enforced for a reason. If you want Happy Isles you either needed to apply 168 days in advance or you need to get in early and wait in line for a walk up.
This is my 4th year of doing it by the rules. You should do the same.

Sorry, I know this sounds harsh but it is a big part of respecting our National Parks as well as the others that enjoy them.