Hi, I was wondering if someone might have some advice for 1st time Yosemite visitor, or tell me if you think I've come up with the best strategy already. My wife and I are hikers and tent campers. I applied for a half dome permit, and was awarded it in the lottery for mid-Sept. That's fine, I was flexible and have already booked flight. Problem is, I didn't apply for a wilderness/trailhead permit, and I would much rather summit half dome after camping at Little Yosemite Valley the night before (as opposed to an 18 mile day hike from Upper Pines). No surprise, LYV Campground is filled up.
My strategy:
1) Book an Upper Pines tent site now, thus at least guaranteeing us a spot to camp if #2 below does not work;
2) Get in line the day before HD permit and try to get either a Happy Isles to LYV or Glacier Pt to LYV wilderness permit, either of which would allow us to camp at LYV.
If getting a wilderness permit does not work out, at least we have our half dome permit, and we'll just suck it up and do the 18 mile day hike from Upper Pines. I plan on staying on "east coast time" while we're there, so we'll be bright eyed and ready by 4 AM anyway.
Any thoughts or alternatives? Thanks