by Phil » Fri Apr 22, 2016 5:42 pm
I'll chime back in, what the heck.
This is getting interestingly convoluted. Itinerary-wise, Mike, you guys are going into a maze of workarounds and backtracking with very little chance of efficiently covering all of it that you want to see and do with where you're trying to start out. Lots of logistical issues with water, distances, camping, too. Bridalveil campground is nice and all, but why use it as your wilderness entry point? Just camp there with a reservation or as a walk-in if you want to since it sounds like you're going to need to re-permit anyhow. Get the new permit that suits your route. It's easy enough to change your reservation if space is available elsewhere or if you're willing to chance a walk-up.
You want trees, views, not too long, overnight, right? Here's another plan to consider:
Scrap Bridalveil altogether. Instead, stay at White Wolf, either as an entry point and use the backpacker's camp, or just stay in the main campground and treat the wilderness permit separately. New entry is Luken's Lake. You'll be able to walk from camp past Luken's Lake, and cross the road and pick the trail back up legally right on the other side. You can also park on Tioga Rd in the pullout and leave the car there overnight. From there you're going to hike to and along Yosemite Creek, the tributary for Yosemite Falls. You'll start finding good sites to camp about 6 miles in along the creek itself. Next day, you'll end up at the top of Yosemite Falls, hang out, go oohh and aahh for a little while, exit down the Falls Trail and into the Valley. You'll need to shuttle back up to the car, but that's no different than what you had to do to get back to Bridalveil, but it's easier, there's better and more frequent service, and it's cheaper.
If two nights is good, consider entering at the Falls Trail down in the Valley, do the climb up with lots of views, camp upriver in a legal spot, next morning head towards North Dome (pretty much all in the trees), camp somewhere in the area (great views of the Valley and Half Dome) either there or the top of Snow Creek (more great views of the face of Half Dome, Cloud's Rest, Tenaya Canyon...), exit Snow Creek Trail via Mirror Lake only about a half mile and one shuttle stop away from Happy Isles. Ride the Valley shuttle for 15 minutes and you're back at your car.