by dan » Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:37 am
From Yosemite West (near Chinquipin--the Glacier Point Road junction), it's a half hour to the Valley, including Curry Village, in good weather (no rain).
It's 2 hours to Tuolumne Meadows--and about 15 minutes less to Tenaya Lake.
For Cloud's Rest, you'll do fine if you start by 9am.
For Half Dome, I'd like to start early around 6am. It takes me about 12 hours to do the hike, but I take my time and spend at least an hour on top--usually more. You also avoid any afternoon thunderstorms (and lightening), which often happens in summer, and avoid the long midday backup of people waiting to go up the cables. You'll do OK if you start by 9am though, but you may be coming back in the dusk. Usable daylight lasts until 8 or 9 pm.