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Permit alternate routes

PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:15 pm
by Kingnothing
Hi,
Not sure if this has been asked but is it possible to apply for 5 trailhead? The ones I want in order are happy isles to lyv or happy isle to sunrise pass-through, or glacier point to lyv or sunrise lakes, or cathedral lakes.
I would prefer starting in the Valley, but I'm thinking I would have more chance on the sunrise or cathedral, so I'm not sure how to pick just 3 .
Also is there more chance picking up a happy isles permit if the exit point is outside the valley ?


Thanks

Re: Permit alternate routes

PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 10:31 pm
by AlmostThere
Look at the permit form - if there are 5 spaces for alternate routes, you can list the trailheads in the order of preference for the same dates. Don't submit multiple forms for the same dates, they really don't appreciate that and it diminishes the chance of getting anything.

It depends on the dates you request - remember that Tioga Rd does not open until plowed, and even if it does open, and you get permits for the date you want, if it's early enough there will still be lots of snow around and if you aren't good at navigating without trail it's not a real good idea to go. Those are all very, very, very popular trailheads. Your chances are equal for all of them - perhaps a little better for glacier pt than the others. But again - the road to Glacier Point opens when the snow is cleared.

We are at 146% of average with snow on Yosemite valley floor, at the moment. There are many feet of snow on the pass. At a guess, the roads will start opening in late June - July.

Re: Permit alternate routes

PostPosted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 9:00 am
by balzaccom
Your exit point (unless it us over Donahue Pass) doesn't affect the permit at all. And rangers never enforce this part of the permit. If you are tired, hurt or lost, they're just happy you are getting out without their help. Once you hike in on a legal permit, the route you take after that is pretty much your own business.

The only exceptions I can think of in Yosemite are the quotas on Donahue Pass and Half Dome.