Yosemite Forum

Hi,

So I have a toddler, and I take her to Yosemite all the time. We're just now getting into backpacking, and I figure I can carry her four miles a day with moderate elevation gain or eight miles with no elevation gain.

Where would you recommend we backpack to at this time of year (August 11th)? Our top priorities are finding a campsite that we can actually make it to at our pace and also has water flowing all around but not many mosquitoes.

Is this even possible?

Thanks,
Tara

Here's some suggestions:
1. Happy Isles (in Yosemite Valley) to Little Yosemite Valley (campground a mile beyond the top of Nevada Falls). Falls and domes along the way. Crowded, bear-infested campground.

2. Little Yosemite Creek. Start at Yosemite Creek Campground and head south. You might make Yosemite Falls (or you can dayhike there)

3. Lyell Fork, Tuolumne River. Start at Tuolumne Meadows and head south along the Lyell Fork. Beautiful canyon.

4. Tuolumne River: Tuolumne Meadows northwest to Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp. Trail is along river. Falls at Glenn Aulin and Waterwheel Falls beyond Glenn Aulin.

A hiker's map of the Yosemite Valley area produced by the NPS is here:
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/maps/yosemite ... p_2006.pdf

Mosquitos are not a problem this time of year (August) IF you camp away from wet areas and streams. Camp near a stream but not so close where they close in on you in the evening. An area with a slight breeze helps.