You cannot camp half way to LYV, or between Bridalveil CG and Ilillouette. You cannot camp on the Panorama Trail. Your only options are Bridalveil Creek, and Ilillouette creek, neither of which connects well with your trailhead. You need a permit for McGurk, Taft Point/Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point, Mono Meadows, or from the Wawona tunnel to put you on the trail system you are talking about so you can make the hike as planned.
I got to the wilderness office well before sunrise and waited in line for hours to get a permit last minute from Happy Isles. The person behind me was also, and myself and the two people in front of me got the last few, the person behind me was out of luck. And you have to be there the day before you want to start hiking to wait in line - you'll have to camp in the backpacker campground that night and start in the morning.
I'm sorry this is so hard - but it does matter to the park staff that you are using the right permit for the right trailhead.
suman wrote:
day 1: Bridalveil campground to GP or somewhere half way to LYV.
day 2: to LYV
day 3: base camp @LYV and day hike
day 4: same as day 3
day 5: LYV to happy isles
@AlmostThere: i see a unnamed trail on the map from bridalveil campground that connects to pohono trail in about 3-3.5 miles
You know my dates now and i am open to other ideas. All permits starting from happy isles are gone for those dates. I plan to arrive by AM on 6/26. How hard is it to get the first come first server permits for the trail heads that are full, like happy isles?
Since this is my first ever backpacking trip, i dont want to choose a route thats totally out of the way. I remember your comment about "you are never alone", but i am speaking relatively herel. I really appreciate your replies.