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Early June trip, too ealry?

PostPosted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:44 pm
by dmede
Hi, I'm helping plan a backpacking trip in Yosemite in early June. The probable route will be the JMT from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley.

Issues I?m trying to sort out are transportation from the Valley to the trailhead and what to expect weather-wise on the trail once up there. I?m concerned that we may be too early in the season for this route.

From talking to the park it looks like the buses and shuttles will probably not be running the first couple weeks of June. The visitor center person told me I could try and hitch hike up to the trailhead. How likely is it that there will be that much traffic going up to the meadows in early June? Can you hire someone to drive you up?

Also, what should I expect to find weather-wise? Will the snow along the JMT via the meadows be mostly gone or will we be snow camping? The ranger told me to expect lots of snow and bring gators, but online info suggests it should be fairly open with warm temps during the day (80s).

Thanks,
David

PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:50 pm
by oakroscoe
This year has been unseasonly dry and the snow levels are pretty low. So I would guess that it would be patchy snow as opposed to huge drifts.

Re: Early June trip, too ealry?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:01 pm
by dan
dmede wrote:From talking to the park it looks like the buses and shuttles will probably not be running the first couple weeks of June. The visitor center person told me I could try and hitch hike up to the trailhead. How likely is it that there will be that much traffic going up to the meadows in early June? Can you hire someone to drive you up?


Look at the YARTs website for the bus info. The opening date won't be firmed up until later. Early June is early though for YARTs. You can hitch hike, but usually tourists don't pick you up. Since the Yosemite murder by Stayner, it may be more difficult to be picked up by locals. Furthermore, it may take multiple legs, say one to Crane Flat and another on Tioga Road.

dmede wrote:Also, what should I expect to find weather-wise? Will the snow along the JMT via the meadows be mostly gone or will we be snow camping? The ranger told me to expect lots of snow and bring gators, but online info suggests it should be fairly open with warm temps during the day (80s).


I've had lots of snow into early July many years. This year should be drier unless there's significant storms in April or May (unlikely I think).

PostPosted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:59 am
by dmede
Thanks. I'm hoping the dry weather holds, though snow on the ground is not a big deal as long as the temps ar in the mid 70s during the day. Cold nights are what scotch is for!

I am concerned about transportation though. We're hoping that we can find someone who will drive us up for a quick $100. Not sure how likely that is though.

PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:24 pm
by Grzldvt
Take a look at T-Meadows to Glen Aulin to May Lake, with a side trip to Cathedral Lakes area and back to T-Meadows.
Solves your transporation problem, is a very nice scenic loop.