OMG, I just lost an entire long post. It was my Magnum Opus. I didn't need that at 4am.
Here we go again....
AlmostThere wrote:And I don't believe there are any troublesome creek crossings without bridges.
I think you're right. I can't think of anything besides Sunrise that isn't bridged.
If you guys don't want to camp at LYV, but don't have the energy to go up to Bunnell, assuming it's not too wet, once you pass the marker post for the LYV restricted area just past Moraine Dome, you can find some sites in the area over by the river if you poke around.
Passing Bunnell Cascade, there are a few dangerous sections of trail that are narrow and cant toward the river. It can be slick. If you trip and fall in, you die. No question about it. When I've got my kids with me, it makes my parental instincts go absolutely haywire and I make them hug the up slope. If there's snow, it'll probably be even more so. I suggest you do the same.
Yes, there are sites above Bunnell. The gorge opens up considerably. The map or sat images should show you clearly. There are two bridges crossing the Merced in that immediate area. Before you cross the first, head uphill and scout around for a bit. You'll find them. If it's not too wet, you can also cross that same bridge and head into the trees to your right. You should find a few in there too. If you guys take a break and do some exploring throughout that whole valley, you'll definitely find something nice. Plenty of water, obviously, and some with fire rings.
After you go up the switchbacks from Bunnell and before the last footbridge over the Merced, there's some granite slabs. They may be slick. Be careful. After the footbridge, you kinda sorta technically begin to enter Echo Valley. You'll primarily traverse the slope uphill for some of it, but by not going to Merced Lake, you won't cross that last bridge over Echo Creek and into the worst of the sloppy muck, so you guys should stay relatively high and dry. So now you get to decide- up to the JMT at Sunrise, or up the longer trail along the Cathedral Fork of Echo Creek up to the HSC. The first is shorter, and will get you to CR faster, with some great views of Bunnell and down canyon along the way, then great sites at Sunrise Creek when you get to the top, as well as a cake walk the next day. The trail along Cathedral Fork is nice, but much longer, so you'll have to see how everyone is feeling when you get to the junction and have to make the decision. What I will say about Cathedral Fork is that it'll get you up to Sunrise Lakes, which are nice, have crazy good fishing that time of year, and that have much better sites overall than most of what you would find on the east slope/north ascent of CR. And since the kids are good with more miles per day, it also leaves you in good position to summit CR fairly early the next day.
And just a couple last pieces of advice: When you guys summit CR, if you're wearing full packs, at least think twice about dropping right down on the trail over the other side. It's really steep, straight down, and it hurts. Instead, go back the way you came and take the lower route. Bears! Many, active, crafty, potentially aggressive at times, unrelenting. Use your canisters properly, and seriously, don't even set your lunch next to you on a log and expect it to not be grabbed if you turn away. All of the areas around Sunrise and CR are prime time.