by AlmostThere » Mon Jul 25, 2016 7:10 pm
The very best way to see those big name spots, by the way, is NOT backpacking, but day hiking. It's really very difficult to backpack some areas because due to the high usage of those big name spots, they have designated "no camping" zones where you are not allowed to camp, at all. You won't be able to camp anywhere but the designated campsites in Little Yosemite Valley until you are two miles beyond it, for example, so if your long route goes over Clouds Rest you will 1) be in very very populated areas, because lots of day hikers and people doing the John Muir Trail go through there 2) not be able to go down the hill very far before you are forced to go into the designated campsites (read: zoo) in LYV.
You can go for less populated areas by avoiding Yosemite Valley and Half Dome COMPLETELY. For example, a starting point on Tioga Road heading north, or a trailhead off Glacier Point Road heading south.
With ten days, I would start at Mono Meadow and go AWAY from Half Dome and Clouds Rest, over Red Peak Pass, and do a long loop around but not quite reaching all the way to the JMT.
You need a map of Yosemite - I recommend Tom Harrison maps.