by balzaccom » Wed Sep 02, 2015 10:20 am
The other options would be either of the two Rim trails. Four mile trail to Glacier Point, then the Panorama Trail back down...or the Pohono Trail.
Or Up Yosemite Falls trail and down the Snow Creek Trail, with a detour to North Dome.
Both would achieve all of your goals, would leave from trailheads in the Valley itself, so they would be open...and most of this is below 8,000 feet or so, so the weather might not be as much of a factor.
But AT is wise to warn you. it can snow down to 5,000 feet in mid-October.
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963