information needed

[ryan72]

If you can provide information about any trail conditions and expected weather for our route it would be very much appreciated. We are getting closer to departure and I was hoping for some insight about what to expect this season. Most specifically if any of the trails will be under water and what type of temps to expect. The 3 of us are all Yosemite newbies but very experienced backpackers. The ranger told me TM post office was not opening until 6/25 which isn't too far from when we expect to be there. My understanding is that there is still plenty of snow that needs to melt off. Thanks!

7/10 White wolf to pate valley
7/11 somewhere along the GCT
7/12 somewhere near Glen Aulin
7/13 resupply at TM then Cathedral lakes
7/14 Sunrise lakes
7/15 up to clouds rest then down to the JMT/sunrise trail junctions
7/16 day hike up 1/2 dome, check out the falls then to Echo Valley area
7/17 Bernice Lake
7/18 up to Vogelsang and maybe Hanging Basket lake then to Ireland Lake
7/19 back to TM via Lyell Canyon
7/20 bus back to White Wolf and then find some cold beers

[balzaccom]

That sounds like a fun trip!

Temps? Daytime highs can be anywhere from the high 80s to low 60s; Nighttime lows can be from the low 50's to the low 30's. It will be easier to guess those a bit closer to your departure date, but your trip is long enough that conditions may change while you are on the trail.

There will be lots of water, and some snow...but the biggest challenge you will face will almost certainly be mosquitoes. Clouds of 'em.

Wish I was going with you, but I only have time for a 4-5 day trip in July, and I'm going to do some XC in Emigrant instead...

[ryan72]

Thanks. Can you elaborate on the where we may have issues with water being to high and where (and how much) snow could hamper us?

[bill-e-g]

Seriously... if you're very experience backpackers don't worry about it.
Just go. If you hit something you don't want to cross or whatever...
just turn around. You're going later so snowpack will be way down...
rivers and creeks will be calming down... etc.
Not really hitting a MAJOR river to cross anyway... stuff in GCT should
be fine by then...
And you have a bazillion days. Gonna be sweet.
Have fun

[ryan72]

we're not worried. Mostly want to make sure we have the appropriate clothing, footwear, amount of fuel, etc... With us going through TM we add some things to our package we are picking up if needed. thanks

[bill-e-g]

ok. gotcha.

You wanna try to not bring some gear on the first leg.

I guess since I only wear regular hiking shoes that time of
year regardless of the conditions (walk thru stream with shoes
on.. or take shoes off and only have socks on) not thinking
the way you are.
In addition since you're back above 8K fairly quickly (even though
Pate is gonna be hot)... I'd end up bringing the same
stuff throughout the hike myself.

30 bag. Lightweight underwear top and bottom to sleep in.
Marmot Zues Jacket. blah blah blah

[ryan72]

cool thanks. Were deciding on what, if anything, we don't need on the first leg that we will need on the 2nd. We have done an 11 day 135 mile trip before but didn't have the luxury of a resupply. Im loving not having to lug all that food so many days.

[S-Photog]

Great trip, very jealous you get to see a lot of the park, I'd bring a mosquito net and a wide brimmed hat for sure but the bugs love me.

I'll be in Sunrise, half down, clouds rest, and echo valley June 20-28 so I'll report if any bridges have been knocked down by the high rivers, but I'll bet you guys have no troubles since trails will be mostly cleared by the time you're going.

[ryan72]

thanks. We're used to mosquitoes and black flies. Two of us teach and coach so we have usually hiked in early summer with the flies. We have planned on bringing a mosquito head net, some deet (i am fan of the ultrathon) as well as hats. I have less and less hair these days and nothing is worse than a sunburned head.

I'll look for your report-have a great trip!