by Phil » Thu Sep 01, 2016 7:23 am
Balzaccom is correct about the rigors of the descent that first day. It's steep. It hurts. Also, from a practicality standpoint as far as how you might feel, and the best camping opportunities, I think you might want to hold that first night at Pate Valley. Second night, again hold up short of Glen Aulin for the best sites that are in the vicinity of La Conte and Waterwheel Falls. You can definitely make it through to Glen Aulin on day-3 and stay at the campground there, but again, you need to make sure you don't come up short or overshoot and end up either getting into restricted camping zones prior to GA, or just plain lousy camping options from beyond GA, past McGee Lake, and for most of the May Lake Trail, with the exception of a few places like around Cathedral Creek, a detour to spend a night at Polly Dome Lakes, or just a few scattered sites trailside. Water might also be an issue the higher up you go if you do need to stop trailside. But yeah, to answer your questions: your 25+/- miles from WW>GA is correct, and you can pull it off in 3 days with some hard work. If it's hot, do not discount the fact that it's going to be blazing on the switchbacks down from WW, in Pate Valley, or in the GCT.
The second leg, GA> TenLakes> WW...eh, 2 days is a push, and it might just mean you have to bypass some great camping. If you're climbing up from GA, or from anywhere still at lower elevations, it's a long, tough slog up to Tuolumne Peak. I would plan on stopping for the first night at either the tarns on the east side of the peak, maybe just over the pass if there's water and you can find an adequate site, or if you're wanting to push a bit, down in the valley along the South Fork of Cathedral Creek. Second night, Ten Lakes, either #1, #2, or maybe #3. Third and final day out to White Wolf.
And White Wolf is tentatively scheduled to close the 15th of this month, but right after Labor Day has also been known to happen. Check the website for dates and/or call. They also sometimes close the road down to the campground, so if you might get locked out, you'll have to find a place to park up on the shoulder of Tioga Rd and walk in. For sure, check.