Hello,
At the beginning of the year I secured permits for 6/19 Cathedral Lakes - Happy Isles via Cloud's Rest and Little Yosemite Valley. Half Dome permits as well. We're experienced backpackers and we've hiked and camped in snow but Yosemite snowfall this year presents a major challenge during our permit dates. A lot can happen in the next 7 weeks but if it was you, would you proceed with this plan? Would the water crossings on this route be untenable? I already have base camp booked for our non-hikers for 6/17-6/22 and it's part of a larger trip, so I can't easily re-book for Aug/Sept. This route has been on my wishlist for a few years and I'd love to do Half Dome but I may have to wait.
Questions for the veterans if I need to move to plan B:
* What would you recommend as an alternate route? We've already got the gear and the time allocated.
* Would Glacier Point - Little Yosemite Valley (camp) - Half Dome - LYV (Camp) - Happy Isles be a reasonable weather-safe substitute assuming I could get the walk-in permits? I'm hoping the elevation differential will help. Is there another great 3 day, 2 night route worth considering?
* If I show up at Wawona at 10 AM on 6/18 to wait for the 11 AM opening, am I likely to get this route or something comparable?
* Does the permitting team allow a route change and keeping existing Half Dome permits? I'm guessing with much of the high country inaccessible, it's going to be tough competition for the walk-ins/alternates this year.
Any feedback is appreciated.