Home | A - Z | FAQ | Bookstore | Art Prints | Online Library | Discussion Forum | Muir | Weather | Maps | Lodging | About | Search |
CalHotels.US
Lowest Hotel Rates Guaranteed.
Click Here For Yours!
Hotel photos, maps, reviews, & discount rates. U.S. Hotels in California (Yosemite, L. A., San Francisco ), AL, AK, AR, AS, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, FM, GA, GU, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OK, NV, MH, MP, NM, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, PR, PW, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, VI WA, WV, WI, WY |
cjoz wrote:It might be difficult to get a permit for Happy Isles but, all things being equal, mid-week is probably a safer bet. All the same, from what I've seen here in other posts, you should get there pretty early (4-5am). You can't "camp out" (i.e., sleep on the steps) but you can sit and wait it out.
Technically, you need two separate permits since 2 members are hiking out separately (although if they are just heading back down to the valley doubt they will get accosted by a ranger). Assuming there are 4 spots open, this shouldn't be a problem, though so you might as well get two.
They will ask about your itinerary and will put a proposed exit point/date on the permit, but it's not binding.
AlmostThere wrote:You would be lucky to get a permit walking in the day OF your intended trip. They are all taken the day BEFORE, early in the morning, gone within seconds of the office opening... The other possibility is to be at the office at 10 am the day you want to start hiking - permits that are reserved and not picked up get released then. For waiting in line early for a walk in on the day before, you can't sleep on the porch, can take a chair or a sit pad - I also recommend a hot beverage and a headlamp and a good book.
You need to have a permit in your possession while hiking, or in the possession of a companion. You can do it two ways - get a single permit for the longer trip and have them print a copy for the other party (there is no penalty for coming out early), or get two permits for the two itineraries (this would be more honest). If you get one permit, one person stands in line; if two permits, two of you need to wait in line to get them - one for each pair of hikers. Don't place any bets on not getting stopped going in or out, the trails you are taking are heavily patrolled and rangers often stand in the trees out of sight watching hikers go by, randomly checking people. A ranger is stationed at LYV and does permit checks each evening/night. Everyone wants to go to Half Dome - which frankly puzzles me - but only a fraction of them actually get the permits. I did so for a small group once by standing in line just as we are describing, and the person behind me was disappointed -- I was third in line.
Don't forget to leave space in the pack for the bear canister they will rent to you. Have fun and good luck.
RAINMAN19 wrote:We are considering a similar trip - we have permits for late Sept. We are seasoned backpackers - having done Glacier and Tetons in the past. What can I expect for travel times per trail on the described trip above with full packs?
Is it reasonable to take full packs up to yosemite valley campgrounds, drop the pack and hike half dome and then get back done to camp the same day before night fall? How much water would you bring from the campgrounds? It is my understanding that there is no potable water at the campgrounds is this true?
heyheyhey wrote:we have a permit for glacier point but because of transportation issues we were thinking of starting at Happy Illes instead. our destination would still be little yosemite valley as on our permit. Will rangers be checking permits from the trailhead to nevada falls? and if so, do you they frown on that? would they issue fines?
Return to Yosemite Hiking & Backpacking
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 156 guests