Tuolumne Meadows to White Wolf

[mitchell]

We're hiking from Tuolumne Meadows to White Wolf in mid-July.
Anyone know where I can view the schedule for the hiker's shuttle? We took it from the valley last year and hiked from Tenaya to the valley via Sunrise Lakes, Cloud's Rest, Half Dome and if I recall correctly, it left Curry Village at 8:00 am. Ideally we'd be getting on in White Wolf this time, providing there's parking there.
That's another question. Is there backpackers parking at White Wolf? If not I guess we'd have to park in the valley and get a ride down, in which case I'd need to know the schedule as well for a return trip in afternoon to the valley.
Also, how are the bugs along that trail in mid-July? Will have mosquito net and bug repellent, but any tips or things I haven't thought of specific to that trail?

[dan]

Here's the Hiker's Bus schedule:

http://www.yosemitepark.com/Activities_ ... adows.aspx
(click on the "Schedule" link at the bottom)

There's parking at White Wolf. I find it's best to park at the destination and take the bus to your starting point.

Bugs are bad mid-July. They start to taper off late July. Wear long sleeves and long pants in the evening with a heat net. Camp away from water and marshes. Camp where there's a gentle breeze (a stiff breeze works also, but not pleasant for you).

It's mostly a problem while camping. During the middle of the trail while you're moving, not so much.

[mitchell]

Do I have to pay for the parking at White Wolf? Where exactly is it located? Is there a map I can access on-line that has that information? Just don't want to waste any time trying to get going while there.
Thanks

[bill-e-g]

You don't pay for parking anywhere in Yosemite.
There is parking right at the trailhead. At the end of WW road.
Right before the entrance to WW Campground.

If the campground is open you CAN ask the campground host
if you like. He/she may request you to park your car deep
in the campground to cut down the number of cars directly in
"TH parking". But that is not required in the least.
On one trip we did just that.

So to blatantly obvious. Drive down into White Wolf. Before the
campground entrance is parking. On the right is the TH towards
Lukens and Ten Lakes. Straight ahead the road continues and
is the "trail" to Harden and GCT.

[tson]

Hey Mitchell, if you're still around on this forum, we're thinking about doing this hike in August.... how long did it take you? any key camp location tips or other comments you can share?

[mitchell]

Yes, we did it in three days. Pretty ambitious of us. Wish we'd taken four or five. Exhausting and really no time to swim, fish or enjoy camp. I can tell you how I'd do it next time. Get your permit the day before and make sure you park in White Wolf and catch the bus to Tuolumne Meadows. We got there late and had to drive up and park at the trail head then hitch a ride back at the end—kind of a pain. Start right when you get there or better yet go up the day before and spend the night in the Tuolumne Meadows backpackers camp and start in the morning early. I'd pass up the Glen Aulin backpackers camp and hike about an hour further down the river. There are some nice campsites along the canyon about 3/4 to a mile further. I'd camp there the first night. I believe there are campsites near Return Creek, good fly-fishing too, I'm told. I might camp there the second night. We camped at Register Creek the second night. Pretty cool waterfall nearby, not a lot of room though. There are other campsites about 1/4 mile past that as well. I'd consider camping in or around Pate Valley as well the third night and then tackling the switchbacks in the morning when you're fresh, they're brutal. Possibly camp fourth night about 2/3 of the way up the switchbacks on the right of the trail among the rocks with views of the canyon and Hetch Hechy. Hike the last of the uphill to White Wolf the next morning.
Watch out for rattle snakes in the lower section of the canyon, we saw five just on the trail. Pack as light as you can and eat all you can to lighten your load before those switchbacks. Mountainhouse spaghetti and turkey tetrazini were good choices for me.
That's pretty much it. Have fun.

[Wickett]

Thanks for the trip report!

[jkrauss]

Can anyone tell me their preference on which way to go on this hike? We are thinking Tuolumne Meadows to White Wolf but I would love your input. If you think White Wolf to Tuolumne Meadows is the way to go please let me know. Also are there any fire pits on the trail at all? Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond. =)

[AlmostThere]

Can anyone tell me their preference on which way to go on this hike? We are thinking Tuolumne Meadows to White Wolf but I would love your input. If you think White Wolf to Tuolumne Meadows is the way to go please let me know. Also are there any fire pits on the trail at all? Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond. =)

I went TM -> WW and would do so again so long as I could climb the switchbacks out of Pate very early to avoid baking myself on the granite.

There are firepits in campsites all over Yosemite. What there is not are very many campsites - but there are enough, so you'll be fine.

[balzaccom]

We haven't done this trail---got smoked out a couple of years ago when the fires were down there---but most people suggest that you do it the other way: White Wolf to Glen Aulin, primarily because they prefer to go DOWN those steep switchbacks, rather than up them.

[AlmostThere]

Depends on your knees, I guess. Mine prefer up - if I ever go the four mile trail again, for example, it will be UP.