Backpacking in Yosemite is a bucket list item of mine and I've signed my family up for a 4-day walk through the backcountry. I need some advice on a few finer points of our trip for sanity sake as well as safety.
Our planned itinerary.
- Sunday, July 23rd 8am, enter Yosemite and drive to Half dome parking lot. Pick up permit, bear canisters and catch the 5pm YARTS to Toulumne Meadow area and stay in backpackers campground.
- Monday, hike up Rafferty Creek to Boothe lake or vicinity. Not sure where the best place to bed down for the night but after reading a bit about the voraciousness of mosquitoes, maybe we should head somewhere drier. Suggestions?
- Tuesday, hike to Merced Lake Backpackers campground via Fletcher Creek. Plenty of downhill. Is any of this trail precarious? How packed does the Merced Backpackers campground get? Are there bear lockers at this campground?
- Wednesday, hike to either just below Moraine Dome the East or to Little Yosemite Valley Campground. Pros/Cons of either? Bear lockers? Crowded?
- Thursday, hike to half dome village via the John Muir Trail not the Mist Trail. Not too crazy about lots of people on a slippery trail.
- Friday, see traditional sights in the valley.
- Saturday, leave in the AM.
So the questions I have are:
1. YARTS - I've noticed that you can prepay for tickets online. Is this necessary? How full does it get? How reliable? Any other options?
2. We plan on eating at the Toulumne Meadows Grill Sunday night. Any good?
3. During the last week in July, how high can I expect the water in Rafferty creek and coming down Fletcher Creek and really all water crossings along the route.
4. If I park my car in the valley and leave for 4 days, I can't keep the food in my car. Are there bear lockers I could place food during our time in the backcountry? Or are all food items doomed to be thrown away that don't go with us?
5. How bad could the mosquitoes be or will flies be more of a problem in late July?