Yosemite Forum

1) If one has a wilderness permit for Mono Meadows trailhead must you start at that trailhead?
2) If one starts at Mono Meadows, do you have to camp at Illilouette Basin as the ranger suggested or can you go on towards LYV?
3) If you leave LYV and go towards Merced Lake camp you hike anywhere off the trail along the way, assuming you stay out of any "no camping" zones?

Ed814 wrote:1) If one has a wilderness permit for Mono Meadows trailhead must you start at that trailhead?

Yes.

Ed814 wrote:2) If one starts at Mono Meadows, do you have to camp at Illilouette Basin as the ranger suggested or can you go on towards LYV?

You can camp anywhere you like, within standard restrictions (no camping next to the trail or road or water or posted areas). You don't have to camp in marked or established campgrounds. Please don't make new firerings though. No fires over 9600' (except fuel stoves).

Ed814 wrote:3) If you leave LYV and go towards Merced Lake camp you hike anywhere off the trail along the way, assuming you stay out of any "no camping" zones?

You don't have to stay on the trail (unless it's posted). You can hike in "no camping zones"--it's just that you can't camp there. Hiking off-trail is called cross-country hiking. If you hike cross-country, your group is limited to a certain size (12 I believe). Usually that's not a problem .

Thanks, dan

1) yes
2) yes (on day 1)
3) you can HIKE ANYWHERE you want