Wilderness Permits and Permit Issuing Staions

[njjkrubi]

My family and I are going to be backpacking next week in the park for the first time. I don't have a reserved permit and want to pick them on the first come first serve basis. We will be arriving mid week and want to pack up the Mist Trail past Little Yosemite , set up camp and then continue on to Half Dome on the first day. The second day 2 of the party will return back down the same way to the valley. Myself and my son will continue on to Merced Lake one day and then to Sunrise Mountain via the John Muir trail the next day. Finally we will exit via Tuolumne Meadows via the Sunrise Trail. Can someone let me know what type of permit I need to ask for and do I need to designate all of this itinerary? Also I read that you can pick up your pass a day before you are to leave. Can anyone confirm this? Is it necessary to sleep out at the issuing station the day before in order to make sure we get the permits? Not sure how it all works I guess. Any help would be appreciated.

[cjoz]

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.

[njjkrubi]

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.

4-5 am the same day your to pack or the day before ? Can you pick up the permits the day before?

[AlmostThere]

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.

[njjkrubi]

Great information! I really appreciate it. I knows going to be tough but we will hope for the best. Thanks again

[njjkrubi]

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.

I have another question if you can help, do they take a list of names to know who's in line or do I have to sit in a chair the entire time do I need 2 people to hold my spot if need to use the bathroom. What time would you suggest getting to the permit station? So if I plan to pack in on Thursday what time on Wednesday morning would you suggest I get in line? I mean is there a starting time or do I need to waste my entire day on Wednesday sitting outside the station?

I have 1 Bear canister of my own but will need to rent another, I guess you can rent them right there @ the permit station?

[sacto dude]

Read carefully:

If you want to hike on Thursday, you have to wait in line EARLY Wednesday morning so you can be there when the Wilderness office opens at 7:30am. The first person in line at 7:30 will get their permits for Thursday, then the 2nd person, and so on. The permits for Happy Isles->LYV will be gone very quickly (only 12 will be available), so you want to be at the front of the line, if possible. Most people seem to think if you get there by 4am, you will be OK, but there's no way to know for sure. You will be done at the Wilderness office by 8am Wednesday, whether you get a permit or not.

If you are not successful in getting your permits Wednesday, you can hope to get them Thursday at 10am, which is when they release Thursday permits that were reserved but not claimed.

If you have a permit to start Thursday, you can camp in the backpackers camp in Yosemite Valley on Wednesday night.

[dan]

Nobody is there to manage the line--rangers are not going to do that all night for free. The line is self-managed. Keep track of who's ahead and behind you. Bring a lawn chair. Ask to hold your spot when you leave--people are generally cool about it. Don't leave for several hours and expect to get back in line.

You can rent bear cans there unless they run out (unlikely).

[adrianhoff]

If the permit you want is unavailable, ask about starting at Glacier Point. The Panorama Trail to Little Yosemite Valley is three miles longer than the Mist Trail. That’s partially offset by 1,000 feet less elevation gain. I’ve not gone up the Mist Trail wearing a pack. But compared with the John Muir Trail to Little Yosemite Valley, starting at Glacier Point adds about 45 minutes to my arrival time. The shorter, steeper route may save you more time — I stop frequently when going uphill. [I’d be interested in other posters' comparisons of the two trails.] But if one permit is available and the other isn’t, I take the one I can get.

[bill-e-g]

Pan Trail is TWICE the length as staying on the the Mist entirely.

Mist very early in the year and very late in the year is a joy.

I actually look forward to October and beyond. Rarely anyone
beyond Little Yosemite Valley.

[njjkrubi]

Thanks to everyone for the info It's all good information. I"ll let you know how I make out. Getting close now really pumped to go!

[RAINMAN19]

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?

Thanks,

Jim

[TigerFan]

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?

When you say "yosemite valley campgrounds", do you mean "LITTLE Yosemite Valley campgound"?

Assuming you're planning to hike from the Valley (Happy Isles) up to Little Yosemite Valley, then to HD, yes, you can drop your pack off at LYV, at the backpacker's campground, and hike up Half Dome. We packed in lightweight daypacks to carry water and snacks. I'd suggest having both hands free for the HD climb.

It's 3.5 miles from LYV to HD (i.e. 7 miles roundtrip.) The roundtrip from LYV, with quite a bit of time at the top (ate our breakfast), took us just about 5 hours.

There is NO potable water at LYV or on HD. The river is easily accessible at LYV but you need to filter/purify. We took 2 liters each for the round trip from LYV.

[heyheyhey]

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?

[AlmostThere]

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?

You must start at the trailhead on the permit, OR get another one. They do not allow you to use a permit for another trailhead and it will be obvious if you are caught on the mist trail with that permit (and you are headed UP the trail) that you are breaking the rules. So that's a risk and the results could be a $75 fine and the ranger escorting you back off the trail again.