FYI - I am a fit beginner, I have hiked much in my life but nothing close to what I am planning.
I will have 5-6 days up in the high country, and I had originally planned a trip from Happy Isles -> Half Dome-> Clouds Rest-> Lake Tenaya-> Indian Rock -> North Dome -> Yosemite Falls-> Valley Floor (more or less). However, now I doubt I can get a wilderness reservation for HI on my start day, so I was going to do it backwards - start at Yosemite Falls, which is much less crowded, then just do everything in reverse, ending with HI. I had a couple questions for anyone who has been up there recently or just had any good advice. However, I am open to route changes as well.
-Will I be able to cross the stream/river at Tenaya lake without getting my pack wet? I know its pretty strong now, I dont mind having to wade through some cold water, so long as I can dry off after and my pack stays ok.
- With the exception of Clouds Rest, which I know could have some snow, what have conditions been like (especially along the north side of the valley, Indiana Rock, North Dome, etc.)? The weather says around 65-70 highs and 35-40 lows, but in general will I be seeing any snow around 8500-9500 feet?
Also, if anyone has a good recommendation for a website for on the ground conditions I'd appreciate it. I've been using nws.noaa.gov and while its helpful it doesnt help me with knowing about snow that has already fallen due to all these T-storms we've been having.
Oh one last thing, could anyone recommend some good places to camp along that route? I've had some trouble finding high country campgrounds, I know of the one in LYV, and I know these arent real campgrounds like in the valley, but I was just looking for places where I could expect to find other people camping. This is my first time doing this and I'm going alone so I would like to be around people for the most part.
Thanks