Yosemite Forum

Hi -

I've dayhiked a little bit in Yosemite (Eagle Peak, Nevada Falls, 4 mile trail). I'm looking at heading out there with my college roommate in early september of this year and taking 5 or 6 nights on the trail. From my reading of the NPS page, the bus didn't seem like it would be running.

The loops I was considering was:
1) The High Sierra Loop
2) to Glen Aulin down to Little Yosemite valley then back up
3) Little Yosemite Valley to Merced Lake to Red Peak Pass and around Illilouete Creek back to the valley
4) Glacier POint to Buckcamp
5) A few Hetch Hetchy options

What do you think? I've done some rocky mountain backpacking before and a lot of the Appalachian Trail (where I often do 12 - 14 mile days, here generally 10 or so). Any advice, recomendations, trips I haven't considered?

Thanks and peace!

YARTS runs on Tioga Road to end of September (or it did in 2007). See http://www.yarts.com/schedule.html

1) The High Sierra Loop
Crowded, but very scenic. Consider variations away from the loop to avoid the crowds and mule-worn trails.

2) to Glen Aulin down to Little Yosemite valley then back up
There's a big up out of Glenn Aulin up and over to Little Yosemite Valley. I really like the scenery around Sunrise Lakes.

3) Little Yosemite Valley to Merced Lake to Red Peak Pass and around Illilouete Creek back to the valley
Not crowded after you leave Merced Lake. Very scenic between LYV and Merced Lake.

4) Glacier Point to Buck camp
Not crowded at all. See the miniature "Royal Arches" and Royal Arches lake if you can. Area around Ostrander/Horse Ridge and Buena Vista Peak is scenic.

5) A few Hetch Hetchy options
Not crowded. Not really scenic until you get to the canyons in the backcountry (e.g., Jack Main Canyon

What do you think? I've done some rocky mountain backpacking before and a lot of the Appalachian Trail (where I often do 12 - 14 mile days, here generally 10 or so). Any advice, recomendations, trips I haven't considered?

Thanks and peace![/quote]