I returned yesterday from my first backpacking trip. The contributors on this forum were very helpful in getting me prepared and providing useful tips for my trip.
A little history:I visited Yosemite for the first time last year with my family. We thought we would try for Half Dome permits the day before our planned hike but we weren't successful. Based on ranger recommendations, we hiked Clouds Rest instead. This turned into a wonderful hike that pushed us all to our limits physically. Once finished, I told my son I wanted to return next year (more physically fit) to do my first backpacking trip with a hike up HD. I was successful in getting permits and then it was all waiting and getting educated by following threads here and asking questions. Unfortunately, I failed at the being fit part. While no slouch, I am not in the best physical condition. Somehow I've always managed to finish lengthy day hikes so this was going to be the ultimate test for me.
Day 1I flew in from Dallas to Fresno. My son picked me up at the airport and we drove up to the valley (stopped at Wowona for permits) with the idea we would get a ride up to the Cathedral Lakes trail head. No such luck. By the time we ate lunch we were up against our 2pm deadline to leave the valley as we still had a hike to the lower Cathedral Lakes that evening.
We were on the trail by 4:15pm with a starting temp of 42 degrees. I knew the temps that day/night were going to be cold based on the weather link someone provided on this forum. We arrived at the lower lake by 6:15pm. Just in time to set-up camp before it got too dark. We ate our dinner in the dark and went to bed since it was too cold to sit outside. I was concerned about the temps as all I had was a 20 degree bag. It ended up being just fine with extra layers of clothing.
Day 2It was 24 degrees inside my tent when I got up. Fortunately there was no wind or it would have been brutal. Everything was frozen with a layer of frost on our tents. We waited for the sun to rise over Cathedral Peak so the frost would hopefully melt. It did some and we packed up for our hike to Sunrise Creek.
The hike that day was uneventful except the end. Beautiful views. We stopped at HSC for lunch. We didn't realize how much downhill hiking we would be doing. While going downhill sounds great, my feet did not enjoy it too much. Based on feedback from here, we changed our initial plan to stay at LYV to somewhere along Sunrise Creek near the HD trail head. Best piece of advice provided (more on that later). Ultimately, we ended up going all the way to the HD trail head which was too far. My feet and shoulders were hurting so we planned to stop right there except we were too far from water. We backtracked and found some great camps spots off in the bushes with an excellent view of Half Dome. This was a great spot for us to spend the next two nights as it was only about two tenths from the HD trail, no one else was around (no one seemed to even know about it when mentioned to others) and water from Sunrise Creek was close. Temps that night were cool but nowhere near the first night.
Day 3We got up, ate breakfast and then made our way to Half Dome ~9:15am. Maybe I missed it in my preparation but I don't recall seeing anything on how difficult the sub-dome is. Personally, I struggled more on that than actually going up HD.
Going up HD was smooth. There was a large gap in front of me so I didn't have to wait on anyone. 3 boards, stop and catch my breath, 3 boards, catch my breath, so on.... We spent several hours up there checking out the view, taking pics, etc. Coming down was a different story from going up. It took a while because there was someone apparently more scared to go down and they kept stopping at each pole for what seemed to be way too long. We got back to camp and relaxed until it was time to eat. I actually ended up taking a nap as I was exhausted.
Day 4 We took our time getting up and packing up as this was the day we were heading down into the valley. Our only time commitment was to be at the YARTS stop by 5pm to catch the bus back to the trail head.
More downhill hiking - OMG my feet were killing me. I had formed a couple good size blisters on my pinky toes after day 2. I was putting mole skin on there but it wasn't doing much to help. I was actually thankful for the few times we were able to do some uphill hiking.
When we finally got to the LYV campground, I kept telling my son how much I appreciated the information provided by the people on here. I couldn't have imagined hiking down to LYV on day 2 only to hike back up to the HD trail head on day 3. Staying near Sunset Creek saved us so much time. My feet definitely appreciated the reduced mileage.
For whatever reason, we ended up taking the mist trail down to the valley instead of the JMT. I wouldn't do that again. It was a beating with all the people there and there were several tight spots going down the steps with people constantly stopping to take pics of the waterfall, etc. Worst part of the hike in my opinion as this was when the reality of coming back to civilization sets in.
Once at the bottom, we took the bus to Half Dome village for some much deserved pizza and beer. Yum. We got to the bus stop in time and caught the bus back to the meadows.
FinallyI bought all my gear new for this trip with the intent of making backpacking trips at least an annual activity. We don't have many spots to go here in Texas and the summers are so hot that tent camping is very low on my list of things to do. My son is in the Navy stationed in Cali so he goes on backpacking trips somewhat regularly. I am please with all the decisions I made on gear. My only major issue was with the blisters. I have to find something to determine a method to prevent them from occurring in the first place and effective treatment once they occur.
We will likely do another small trip to Yosemite or Sequoia next year before a planned hike next year in the Rockies (Maroon Bells - 4 pass loop).
Thanks again for taking the time to share your extensive experience of the area.
Camp for Night 2 & 3
Pre-Cable Climb