Hello, and thank you so much in advance for all that respond. My wife and I were awarded in the lottery Half Dome permits for 6/5/21. As opposed to day hiking it as we have done before, we wanted to backpack and spend a night or two in the backcountry. As expected, all permits entering through Happy Isles are long gone, as well as permits entering through Glacier Point with 1st night at LYV. However, I was able to get a backcountry permit on 6/4/21 entering through Glacier Point to Illilouette, and then exiting Happy Isles/LYV. My wife and I are very experienced long distance hikers but not as experienced in backpacking, and have never backpacked Yosemite, so I had a couple questions and concerns about the route/plan and if this is even feasible or something people typically do in June.
The itinerary I am thinking is this: On 6/4/21 pick up our backpacking permits and park the car somewhere in the valley. As the shuttles are not running, we would likely have to walk to the 4 mile trial and hike up to glacier point. From there, we head towards Illilouette falls and then hike past the Buena Vista trail junction (which is wear we are allowed to camp the first night per our permits). Then the next day we hike to LYV, set up camp, climb up half dome, and then back down to LYV and spend the night. The next day exit down through Happy Isles/Mist trail and then back to wherever we parked the car in the valley.
My main concerns are these:
1) Is the snow likely going to be a major concern for safety and trial finding/etc? We have microspikes but are not experienced with ice axe/crampons and are not masters at trial navigation.
2) Distance/mileage wise, does the above plan sound feasible? I cant really get a good read on the approximate mileage for the first day (walk from our car to 4 mile trial/up the 4 mile trial/past Buena Vista Trial) and then the next day (Buena Vista Trail/LYV/Half Dome/LYV).
3) Is the route fairly straightforward or difficult to navigate?
4) Is there anywhere particular you would suggest camping for the first night past Buena Vista Trailhead?
5) Is there anything I am just completely overlooking or any other route that would be a better idea?
Again, thank you so much to everyone, and assistance would be greatly appreciated!!