So I have a wilderness permit for May 26th (Hidden Isles LYV pass through) and as the departure day grows closer I have to decide on what hike to take based on current conditions. Looks like the weather will start clearing up by Thursday or Friday.
Start May 26th, but I could start on the 27th or 28th if I can get a wilderness permit with changed date. Weather looks like it may be slightly better if I start Friday or Saturday.
I'm assuming the Half Dome Cables won't be put up until the weather clears a bit, so planning that at the end of my possible itineraries below.
I wasn't planning on needing to take my snowshoes, but can if you think I'd definitely need them for any of the itineraries below so please let me know. Kind of assuming if I take any of the routes that take me to Olmsted Point or Tuolumne Meadows I'd need them. What about Red Peak Pass during the current conditions? 5 extra pounds to carry, but even with 5 nights of food, I'm at 40 pounds pack weight. Taking only 2 liters of water and a 20oz Gatorade bottle to keep the weight down. Everything else needed will come from the streams/snow melt.
5 nights/6 days available. Probably can do 60-70 miles without killing myself.
Option A & B:
Yosemite Valley to Little Yosemite Valley
Camp somewhere beyond Moraine Dome
Hike To Merced Lake
Option A: Head south to Washburn Lake, Go through Red Peak Pass, return via Illilouette Creek
Option B: Head North via Flecher or Lewis Creek, loop through Tuolumne Meadows, return via JMT/Sunrise Lakes/Clouds Rest
(probably need snow shoes for this option)
At end, if cables are up, hike Half Dome and return to valley.
Option C & D:
Yosemite Valley to Illilouette Creek to Red Peak Pass, to Merced Lake
Option C: If time and trail conditions permit, head to Sunrise Lakes, South to Clouds Rest.
Option D: Hike to Little Yosemite Valley, then the Clouds Rest
At end, if cables are up, hike Half Dome and return to valley.
Option E & F:
(probably need snow shoes for these options)
Park at Tuolumne Meadows
Hike from Tuolumne Meadows to Vogelsang via Lyell Canyon or Rafferty Creek (options on which would be better view wise & current conditions)
Hike to Merced Lake
Use option C or D to hike to Clouds Rest.
If cables are up, hike Half Dome.
Option E: Hike to Yosemite Valley, take hiker’s bus back to car at Tuolumne Meadows (last bus at 1:30pm)
Option F: Hike North to Sunrise Lakes and end at Tuolumne Meadows
Option G, H, & I:
Get a ride or drive to Old Big Flat Road Trailhead
Hike to El Capitan (camp), Eagle Peak, Yosemite Falls, North Dome (camp).
Option G: Hike to Snow Creek and down to Yosemite Valley. (but this may only be 2-3 nights and is a lot shorter than I wanted to do this trip)
Option H: Hike to Olmsted Point, Sunrise Lakes, Clouds Rest.
(probably need snow shoes for this option)
If cables are up, hike Half Dome.
Option I: If time permits, hike to Merced Lake and back.
Return to Yosemite Valley.
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So let me know which options might be best next weekend.
I am planning on calling the Wilderness Center tomorrow and get some info on trail conditions and possible routes, but wanted to get some advice from everyone here.