backpacking permits problem

[Snake eyes]

We have a group of seven (I know too many) and we want to backpack for 6 days from Happy Ilses trailhead to Lost Valley area for the 1st night. Unfortunately we realized too late that they only give out 6 permits ahead of time and only 10 per/day.

We aren't planning on going until the 2nd or 3rd week in Sept but we have to apply for the permit next week. We were thinking about splitting up our group into 2 separate groups with one leaving from Happy Iles and the other from Glacial Point and meeting at Lost Valley, but it appears that from Glacial Point you have to go to Little Yosemite Valley.

We are in need of some ideas and guidance.

[AlmostThere]

What do you mean by Lost Valley Area?

I've heard of Hetch Hetchy being called the Lost Valley, but Happy Isles is not the trailhead you would pick for that.

The reservable permit limit for Happy Isles is 18, and group size limit is 15 people.

[bill-e-g]

Lost Valley is the valley section between the unnamed dome right to the
east of Moraine Dome and the Bunnell Cascase (the real one) below Bunnell Pt.
You will have a difficult time finding a spot to camp in Lost Valley.
I really don't recommend it. There was a fire thru that area many
years ago and it is still recovering. Believe me, I've looked for
decent flat spots to camp in that area and it's not simple, you'd
end up camping illegally right next to the river and trail.
With that large a ground I highly recommend that you camp
at the first cascade you come to which is just after Moraine Dome.
It contains a very large area of flat spots that should suffice.
As far as the permits go... kudos that you understand that you're
suppose to camp at LYV for a Glacer Pt. Permit.
Personally I wouldn't think that they would give you a hard time
if you went FURTHER. So I'd just go for Moraine Dome for both.
From what you've said it sure sounds like you know you need
to get the HI-LYV Passthru for part of the group.
If you HAVE to go further then I'd recommend that you find sites
at the bridges under Bunnell where the trail xs the river.

Have fun

[AlmostThere]

Ah, that. I could find a spot with my hammock.

LYV isn't the best place in the world to camp, but it might also be a good fallback option - more permits for it. Another possibility - a trailhead on Tioga - makes for a long first day or you could stay up near the junction of the Clouds Rest trail.

[Snake eyes]

You're right bill-e-g I was talking about the Lost Valley after Morine Dome. Thanks for the info about the camping areas there.
We are planning on going to Merced Lake on day 2, but camp in the vincinty of Echo Valley so we hopeing to go farther the LYV on day 1. Then on day 3 go to the Sunrise Lake area and then towards Clouds Rest and Half Dome and next 2 days.

The chart we saw said only 6 permits issued early and 4 the day before. Almost There mentioned 15 permits allowed from HI trailhead, does anyone have any more information concerning the permits?

[AlmostThere]

You are looking at passthrough permits, I was talking about the HI -> LYV permits. Which is why I mentioned LYV as a fallback option, or taking a route from Tioga instead. making use of the bus system would allow you to leave the car in Curry and hike back to it.

[bill-e-g]

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/trailheads.htm

Not sure what else you are looking for.

The only decent climb after Nevada Falls really is after the bridges
crossing the Merced by Bunnell Pt.

So getting to Merced Lake in 2 days shouldn't be a problem.

Echo Valley... camping there you pretty much have to get pretty close
to Merced Lake and close to the River to find anything decent
for that big of a group. There's other places that I like but you are
climbing out of Echo Valley to get to those...

Have fun

[centurycyclist]

you could get to Merced Lake in one day from Happy Isles, if everyone is in good shape and you leave early enough. Quite the trek UP elevation, but manageable.

[bill-e-g]

I didn't mention all the way to Merced b/c it's unlikely they will make it.
Mostly b/c they will go up the JMT, start late, pack too much crap,
and stop a lot. But they should really... smell the flowers, take it in.

A few years ago I dragged the wife and hiking buddy from Mono Meadow
to Lost Valley on day 1. I nearly had a mutiny on my hands.
(although that is not atypical for me)

Anyway, Moraine Dome. Make that your goal.

[Wickett]

I agree about Merced in one day. I went to Echo Canyon in one day from Happy Isles and we hit it at sundown. Them next day was kinda painful. That was my first backpacking trip in Yosemite.

[Snake eyes]

I think that doing Merced Lake in one day for us is out of the question for us. Half of us are old weekend warriors and the others are young 30 yrs old.
It looks like we are going to end up calling on Monday and talking to the office to see what we can work out.
Thanks for all of the input and suggestions.
When we get the permits I'll be back with more questions.