Hello everyone,
Been doing some research for an upcoming trip in early June and found this forum. I figured I'd register and post our planned itinerary and get some feedback from more experienced hikers here. I'll be heading to Yosemite for a friend's wedding, arriving in California on June 4th with the wedding on June 5th. I grew up in the mountains of New Mexico but have been living in Houston for several years now so the elevation is a significant concern since I am used to near sea level now. However we'll be spending a couple of days out there for the wedding before we do any hiking so that should help acclimate us. I have done some multi-day backpacking trips in Washington state and in Maine as well, but I would be hesitant to call myself an "experienced" hiker. I am no beginner either though. We already applied for our wilderness permit and it was approved, including our half dome request. Here is our itinerary:
Day 1: Start at Sunrise Lakes trailhead near Tenaya Lake. Hike to and then camp at Sunrise Lakes.
Day 2: Hike over Clouds Rest and camp as close to half dome as we can. Little Yosemite Valley campsite?
Day 3: Hike up and down half dome without our heavy packs and camp at the same spot as the previous night or perhaps push on to a spot further down the Merced River for a change of scenery. Too much in one day to press further along the river?
Day 4: Hike out to the Happy Isles trailhead to see the sights down the Mist Trail
We actually have a 4 night permit approval so we have a somewhat flexible itinerary. Our only real constraints is that we have to hike into Sunrise Lakes trailhead and out Happy Isles. Also, we really want to do half dome and clouds rest.
I realize that we should not be expecting solitude out there since these are some of the most crowded trail option in the entire park. However, being from Houston just getting out into nature at all is a treat. I can put up with some crowds. Plus, by camping hear Half Dome and getting an early start we hope to beat the crowd of day hikers and the majority of the line at the cables. Any feedback on this itinerary is much appreciated.
Also, some followup questions:
1. How bad are mosquitoes in early June?
2. Did last year's fire significantly affect major portions of our route?
3. Regulations say fires are only allowed in pre-existing fire rings. Are there any of these at Sunrise Lakes? Not the sierra campground, but near the actual lakes so we dont have to backtrack as far on day 2.
4. I am most concerned about the length of day 2 from Sunrise Lakes up and over clouds rest and down to LYV campground. I think this will be a tough day but doable.
5. We will have two rental cars between the two of us. How should we plan parking? Leave one car down in the valley and park the other at the Sunrise trailhead? Park both in the valley and take a shuttle to the Sunrise trailhead (is there one)?
6. For the half dome dayhike, we'd like to leave our heavy packs behind. Is there a place to do this at the LYV campground, or are we going to have to hide them in the woods somewhere along the trail and hope for the best?
Any other advice or words or warning? Thank you!