Help me improve my Yosemite Valley & Hetch Hetchy plan

[Eduardo]

Here's my proposed route. I'm doing this with my 16 year old son. I'm open to suggestions for improvement.

Saturday April 3rd, Arrive to Yosemite Valley late in the afternoon, stay at Curry Village

Sunday April 4th plan: Day Hike to Snow Creek Falls, stay at Curry Village.

Monday April 5th: Vernall Fall in the morning, then drive to the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station. Hike to Rancheria Falls, camp.

Tuesday April 6th: Hike back from Rancheria Falls to the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station. Pack the car. Do the Lookout Point Trail. Then leave Yosemite.

Any thoughts/suggestions/words of wisdom?

Eduardo

[balzaccom]

Day two sounds like a long day. Vernal Falls and back is 3-4 miles, depending on how you do it. It will take you well more than an hour to drive to Hetch-hetchy from the Valley, and you won't be able to leave directly from Happy Isles. So I doubt you will arrive at HH before about 1 pm. It's 6.5 miles to Rancheria...so figure another 3 hours plus to hike there.

It all sounds a bit hurried to me. Hike, hop in car, drive, hike some more.

You could easily do the Vernal Falls and Snow Creek trails on the same day--they are even in the same part of the Valley, only a mile apart. That would leave the next day for a leisurely drive to HH...and a more relaxed hike to Rancheria. If you have more time there, you can explore a bit a hike up to LeConte Pointe.

My two cents

[Eduardo]

Yes, balzaccom. I see what you mean, and I don't like hurried myself. That's why I'm asking for advice.

Update:
Day 1, arrive to Yosemite Valley late in the afternoon, stay at Curry Village

Day 2, Hike to Vernal Fall and Snow Creek Falls, stay at Curry Village.

Day 3, Drive to the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station. Hike to Rancheria Falls, camp.

Day 4, Hike back from Rancheria Falls to the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station.

New question is: where would I fit a hike to Le Conte Point as you suggest? On Day 4 after coming back from Rancheria Falls?

Eduardo

[AlmostThere]

You don't do LeConte after you come back - it's the high point beyond Rancheria Falls. You would probably do it in the afternoon after arriving at Rancheria, or the morning before you leave the camp.

[Eduardo]

This makes lots of sense. Thank you!!

E.

[Wickett]

Are you going up the Snow Creek trail? I like going to Hidden Falls, which is not too far beyond the Snow Creek trail. You have an excellent view of Snow Creek Falls from there and you get to enjoy Hidden Falls and a great view down the canyon towards Half Dome. You could also check out the recent rockfall on the way back. Doing Hidden Falls and Vernal in one day should not be a problem.

[Eduardo]

Thank you Wickett. I'll definitely look into it.