Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Greg Higgerson (---.foodbankcentralflorida.org)
Date: 03-30-04 13:01
My father-in-law and I will be hiking to Half Dome from Happy Isles trailhead in mid-June, and we would appreciate some advice from those who have made the trip--particularly if you've used the campground at Little Yosemite Valley.
1) I've read conflicting accounts online--are bear canisters required by park rules for staying overnight in Little Yosemite Valley, or simply recommended?
I know there are bear boxes there, and we're really trying to go ultralight on this overnighter.
2) I've read that many people prefer the longer John Muir Trail on the way up, and the shorter but steeper Mist Trail on the way down. Any thoughts or comments?
3) Any other advice?
Thanks!
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Dan Anderson (---.drydog.com)
Date: 03-30-04 13:22
Bear canisters are required in Little Yosemite Valley and above 9600'. The current rules are at
http://www.nps.gov/yose/wilderness/bfoodstorage.htm and
http://www.nps.gov/yose/wilderness/
Only the National park Service webpage is authorative, as the rules do change from year to year.
I understand canisters are required even though there are bear lockers is the bear lockers fill up. People tend to bring excessive food and leave them in the lockers. Little Yosemite Valley is very popular with bears--it's bear haven in fact--they know where the easy food is.
I recommend hiking the Mist Trail up, NOT down. The Mist trail is wet and hiking down, especially with a backpack, is a lot trickier than hiking up. Also, hiking up you get to spend more time in the cooling mist.
I recommend hiking down the John Muir (high) trail, for the views and because it heads higher than the mist trail, so you will be less tired hiking it on the way down than up.
The Little Yosemite Campground is the most popular backcountry campground in the park. Don't expect peace and quiet.
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Ken Paquia (63.87.39.---)
Date: 06-02-04 11:15
Do you need a wilderness permit to camp at the Little Yosemite Valley?
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Greg Higgerson (---.foodbankcentralflorida.org)
Date: 06-02-04 11:41
Ken,
A permit is required to camp overnight in Little Yosemite Valley. The park uses a quota system per trailhead that limits the number of people who can camp in the backcountry on any given day. 40% of available permits are issued on a first come first served basis either on the day of, or one day before your hike. The rest are available by reservation. You can find out more by visiting www.nps.gov/yose/wilderness/permits.htm As I learned on this web board, a bear-resistant canister is required for overnight campers, even though bear boxes exist at the campsite.
I'll be staying at LYV on June 17th (I applied for our permit reservation back in late December). Can't wait!
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Doug Starns (---.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net)
Date: 06-27-04 16:48
Can you leave your backpack at the LYV campground, so you don't have to lug it to the top of Half Dome? I hiked Half Dome last year and saw several people near the top with full packs, while LYV camp was empty. If you can leave the backpacks in camp, is there a special place or are there special precautions to take?
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Dan Anderson (---.drydog.com)
Date: 06-27-04 17:38
You can leave your backpack at the Litle Yosemite Valley Campground or any campground. The food must be left in a bear locker.
I don't know why people would bring a full pack, except for exercise or they are heading on to another campsite. I've always left mine at camp. It's a good way to keep your campsite also (leaving your pack at camp).
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Mike Jensen (---.directcon.net)
Date: 06-28-04 16:16
You can leave your backpack and gear at LYV campground. Many people do. I even stuffed my new backpack into our bear locker. Yes, you should have a wilderness permit, but polling the people sitting around the campfire, I found that only two of ten had one. Bears are there - chased off two during one night. Also came across a rattlesnake on the trail nearby.
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Greg Higgerson (---.foodbankcentralflorida.org)
Date: 06-29-04 06:33
Mike,
My father-in-law and I had two bears in our campsite about a week earlier than your hike, and in broad daylight. We had taken off to Half Dome in the early morning, and the bears apparently visited our camp some time around 8:30 a.m. A man camping near us chased them away.
On the night we stayed at LYV (6/17) a female ranger came around to each and every campsite just before dark and checked wilderness permits. She waited patiently while I pawed through my entire pack looking for it. I'm not sure what the penalty is for camping in the backcountry without a permit, but I personally wouldn't chance it.
In general, camping at LYV is a great way to do the Half Dome hike.
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: john smithyman (---.client.comcast.net)
Date: 08-07-04 16:09
Hi,
Read your post about Little Yosemite. Can we expect to get a wilderness permit the day before or would it be the day of our planned trip to Little Yosemite? Where/when/how do we get one? We would like to take our three teenage boys to the top of Half Dome but don't want to take the long drive to Yosemite if we aren't reasonably sure we can go up.
Appreciate any info/advice.
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Dan Anderson (10.11.12.---)
Date: 08-07-04 17:25
You can get a wilderness permit the day before. It's best to get it in the morning the day before. Go to the Wilderness Center in Yosemite Village, next to the Post Office. Can't tell you of your chances. It's certainly better if you're not heading up Fri. - Sun. I would call them. I don't have the phone number handy, but it would be in the link below.
For details see http://www.nps.gov/yose/wilderness/
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Chris Saunders (162.123.17.---)
Date: 09-07-04 11:20
Hi,
I'm heading us to LYV soon, but haven't packed in years. I have a couple questions....
Can we build campfires up there?
How crowded can we expect it to be the weekend of September 25th?
I'm hiking in from Glacier point. I understand that it's just a little over 5 miles. I haven't been able to find any information about that hike. Can you tell me a little about it?
Lastly, other than Half Dome, what day hike would you recommend from LYV?
Thanks.
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Charlie Crail (---.dsl.irvnca.pacbell.net)
Date: 09-22-05 21:45
Go here and you will find all your answers about routes and fires.
http://www.yosemitefun.com/index.htm
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Dan Anderson (---.sun.com)
Date: 09-23-05 08:34
Yes, you can have campfire at Little Yosemite Valey.
After Labor day shouldn't be crowded at all. The crowds are from mid-June to Labor Day in that campground.
The hike from Glacier Point heads down to Illiouette Falls, hard-to-see falls from the Valley floor. Then heads up 1000' or so up, then down to the Muir Trail, which hugs the South wall of canyon to Nevada Falls, then Little Yosemite Valley. Nice hike.
Good hikes from LYV is, of course, Half Dome, and hiking up the Valley along the Merced to Merced Lake.
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: K Allison (162.116.29.---)
Date: 01-18-06 14:13
Can you make reservations for Little Yosemite? If so, how?
I hope to camp there this year, but did not have luck on the nps website or phone. They support other valley campsites, just not this one.
Re: Little Yosemite Valley campsite
Author: Dan Anderson (---.west.biz.rr.com)
Date: 01-18-06 14:23
A reservation is highly recommended for Little Yosemite campground during the summer.
You have to backpack in, but you probably know that.
You need a wilderness permit, which you can get at
http://www.nps.gov/yose/wilderness/
(click on "Permits")
The other Valley campsites are mostly drive-in. Reservation information is here:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/trip/camping.htm