Hi. I apologize for the long post.
I am considering a couple of options for the California trip that I have coming up. I will fly into SFO on May 19th and will return back to VA on the 29th.
One option is to ride BART then Amtrak/bus into Yosemite for a 8 night backpack. I would arrive in Yosemite on the night of the 19th and start this backpack at the Yosemite Falls trailhead on the 20th.
Hike from the valley up to North Dome area on day 1. Then up to May Lake day 2. Ascend Mt Hoffman and Tuolumne Peak (conditions permitting), then go to Ten Lakes and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne over the next few days. Then through Tuolumne Meadows (resupply food if store is open), down the JMT, west at sunrise, over Clouds Rest over to Half Dome. Head toward the Clark Range if there is time (along Illouette Creek) then backtrack and down the Panorama to the valley.
So my question is, will an ice axe and crampons or snowshoes be necessary for the high elevation portions of this itinerary? I don't mind prolonged hiking through snow, but honestly am looking for a backpack where I just need boots and trekking poles. I know the elevation around ten lakes is >9k. We camped at May Lake and I hiked Mt Dana last year around June 20 - 22, but this is a whole month earlier.
My other (less adventurous) option will be to rent a car and go on some long, big elevation dayhikes and probably spend 4-5 days in Yosemite (May 19 - 23). I would be looking at Valley > Upper Yosemite Falls > North Dome > Snow Creek > Valley. Also Half Dome and Clouds Rest from the Valley dayhike (I like long, brutal dayhikes). I would also go to some lakes (probably Cathedral and Elizabeth) maybe a peak or dome and visit some Giant Sequoias. Then I would go to Lassen NP and to Mt Shasta (where I would need ice ax/crampons, but hey I want to climb Shasta).
Has anyone taken the Amtrak from the Bay area to Yosemite? It looks like BART to Berkeley then walk to the Amtrak in Emeryville would be a simple way to do it.
Thoughts, advice on my plans are welcome.