Hi all. I just want to say thank you to those regular posters who might lend some advice here. I am a pretty experienced backpacker who hasn't made it to Yosemite and am planning to do a 3-4 nighter the end of may. Just wanted to run the trip by you guys and see if those experienced in and around yosemite might give me some feedback on my plan. Much appreciation in advance. I dont have the logistics of getting to/from the park and getting to/from the trailheads worked out yet...trying to lock in my route and back country plan first then worry about logistics in and out.
http://www.backpacker.com/destinations/hikes/368705
I want to do the North Rim - I have read the backpacker article (link above) that talks about starting in the valley and climbing up the defunct/rockslide OBOFR and camping the first night by Cascade Creek before ascending the next morning up through Ribbon Meadow to El Capitan etc. I have read a lot of consternation on the web about that trail and thought instead I would start at Tamarack Creek campground and hike in that way - its shorter and I could check out the Devils Dance Floor etc on the way in. Any advice on that? Does the hiker shuttles go by Tamarack Creek late may? Or would I have to do the rental car deal to get me there? Any better place to start (and possibly avoid the long climb out of the valley).
- The second day I would end and camp by the top of yosemite falls same as in the article.
- The third day I would end at the vantage point on the snow creek trail looking across at half dome - same as in the article.
- The fourth day I would descend snow creek trail down into the valley and take the Tanyana Loop trail past Mirror Lake and back into the valley and finish OR try and catch a shuttle from there back to Tamarack creek campground to get my rental car if I had to leave it there.
As for the logistics of getting in and out quickly - I will take any advice. I have read about the backpacker camps you can stay at the night before you take off into the backcountry - any advice on staying there?
Also - where is a good place to spend the last night to get cleaned up and get a good meal in my belly before taking off the next day to get out of the park and back to the airport?
I appreciate the help fellas.
Cheers.
Jack