by Phil » Wed Apr 18, 2018 6:31 pm
OK, yes, you definitely need some clarification on many things.
First of all, we have to be on the same page: It's Tuolumne Meadows, not Tioga Meadows.
Secondly, there's no camping allowed at Tenaya Lake.
Third, do not count on shuttle service of any kind running in May. As a matter of fact, depending on your dates, Tioga Rd might not even be open to traffic yet by then as the road needs to be plowed. Later in May, maybe. First half of May, the road will still be closed, definitely.
Camping- In May, no campgrounds will be open yet anywhere along Tioga Rd. You might be able to get in at somewhere like Tamarack Flat, but that's still 30+ miles away from your trailhead, and very questionable. What will be available and your most likely best/only option is to get your wilderness permit the day before, if it's available, and then use your one night before your scheduled departure date to stay at the Yosemite Valley backpackers campground. Until the season evolves a little more and we all see where things stand, this is your best and maybe only option.
The next morning, drive to your trailhead, and plan for it to take about an hour and a half or so to get there, traffic and road work dependent.
Your Hike:
No, I would not call your schedule realistic for most people. Uber hikers that like pain, have no aversion to altitude, and walk fast, sure, it can be done, but not dusk to dawn with a full pack on (maybe less than a handful out of 100 people?). Additionally, in May, without me seeing the conditions myself, generally plan on encountering some snow along the trail in some form or another. Early season in most years, lots of people get up into that area and get lost when there's snow on the ground, so think through that really well. Brutal mosquitoes everywhere!!!! Also, the cables up to Half Dome won't be up until the end of the month, Memorial Day weekend. So, taking Half Dome out of the equation in May, you might be better off just day hiking up to Cloud's Rest and then returning to the car the same day, treating your camping as an entirely separate issue. Since there's going to be no campgrounds nearby your trailhead, and without a wilderness permit, no backpackers campground, Camp 4 in the valley might be the way to go. All said and done, logistically, if you can schedule your trip a month later, the whole thing (just not your time/distance expectations) becomes so much better and easier.