Need some clarification (1st timer)
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 11:34 am
We are planning on visiting Yosemite at the end of July/Beginning of August. Party of 2 and possibly 4. We did not secure backcountry permit reservations because we are planning this trip so late. Therefore, it appears that our best bet will be first come, first served permits. Ideally we could spend some time in the high sierras and hike down toward the valley. I think it would be best for us to start in TM.
I have a couple of questions.
1) Once you obtain a backcountry permit, what areas are you confined to hiking and camping in? For instance, if we obtained a permit for the Glen Aulin trailhead out of TM, would we be confined to hike and camp in one area, and not in others? I understand that they limit permit numbers for certain trailheads, and I assume they do this for a reason. So, if we wanted to follow this route: http://www.norcalhiker.com/backpacking-tuolumne-meadows-to-yosemite-valley/, would we have to start at Glen Aulin, like they did? Or, could we start somewhere else out of TM, and work our way over?
2) My friend has suggested obtaining a permit for a trailhead outside the park and hiking into the park. His understanding is that once inside the park "we could go wherever we want." Because of the limits of permits, I'm skeptical of that advice. I did speak with a park ranger on the phone this morning, and he told me that once we were in we could go "anywhere in the wilderness." I want to make sure we have a good understanding of how this works.
3) I understand that you are limited to the designated campsites in the five high sierra camps. If solitude is what we are looking for, are these recommended?
We still aren't exactly sure of what we want out of the trip, where exactly we would like to be, or how many days we will have, so I'm trying to get a general understanding of what options we have.
Thanks in advance!
I have a couple of questions.
1) Once you obtain a backcountry permit, what areas are you confined to hiking and camping in? For instance, if we obtained a permit for the Glen Aulin trailhead out of TM, would we be confined to hike and camp in one area, and not in others? I understand that they limit permit numbers for certain trailheads, and I assume they do this for a reason. So, if we wanted to follow this route: http://www.norcalhiker.com/backpacking-tuolumne-meadows-to-yosemite-valley/, would we have to start at Glen Aulin, like they did? Or, could we start somewhere else out of TM, and work our way over?
2) My friend has suggested obtaining a permit for a trailhead outside the park and hiking into the park. His understanding is that once inside the park "we could go wherever we want." Because of the limits of permits, I'm skeptical of that advice. I did speak with a park ranger on the phone this morning, and he told me that once we were in we could go "anywhere in the wilderness." I want to make sure we have a good understanding of how this works.
3) I understand that you are limited to the designated campsites in the five high sierra camps. If solitude is what we are looking for, are these recommended?
We still aren't exactly sure of what we want out of the trip, where exactly we would like to be, or how many days we will have, so I'm trying to get a general understanding of what options we have.
Thanks in advance!