First come first serve permit Lyell Canyon to YosemiteValley

[dcarl335]

I am going to Yosemite with three other backpackers and we would like to hike Lyell Canyon to Yosemite Valley. We are novice backpackers. The trip I was thinking about doing is

While this 34-miler could be done in 3 days, Ansel Adams and company certainly took their time to explore eastern Yosemite and so should any backpacker who hopes to spot deer, black bears, and coyotes. Wildlife-viewing opportunities abound near the fertile riverside flora along the Tuolumne River's Lyell Fork.

Follow the historic John Muir Trail through evergreen forests to golden marshlands in Lyell Canyon. Near Potter Point, bear right on the trail to Vogelsang Peak. The trail switchbacks along Ireland Creek, then meanders down to the alpine waters of Evelyn Lake. En route to Merced Lake, pass Fletcher Peak and Vogelsang Lake.

As you begin your descent from the high country, Fletcher Waterfalls gushes to the left of the trail (a short preview of what cascade vistas are to come). Once you pass Merced Lake, granite canyon views dominant the scenery but not for long. Nearby, the low-lying waters in Bunnell Cascade make for a great water slide in late summer. Continue down to Little Yosemite Valley and marvel at the waterfalls along the Mist Trail. Nevada and Vernal Falls end this trip with a bang.

The only problem is we do not have permits. Has anyone had any experience with getting a first come first serve permit for Lyell canyon and if so do you have any tips? I would be willing to get up at 3am the day before we leave in order to get the permits. We will arrive in Yosemite via highway 140 on Wednesday night on the 21st of July. Any help is much welcomed. I have done backpacking trips in New Zealand and Ecuador but am a newby to the US trips.

One more question as well, what is the coldest temp we should worry about?

Thanks!

[AlmostThere]

you'll need to be at the wilderness center in Tuolumne Meadows for that walk in permit. TM has priority over the office in the valley. Add an hour to your drive time if you come in from one of the southern entrances. There will be a line on the porch. Early early early, 3 am you will still find people ahead of you. there is a backpacker campground in the TM campground across the river, so you can then spend the day walking around to Lembert Dome and exploring other trails along the road.

It can be below freezing any time of year at elevation - I never go out in high Sierra without adequate insulation to keep me warm down to 20F. In late fall, that bottom limit for me drops to 0F. After the snow falls I just go to the coast...

[sierranomad]

Just re-iterating what you've already said, Be there the day before you start your hike.

When I'm going on a hike when it's not that important that I get my first choice, I'll get in line by 6 a.m. But the more important I get my choice, and the more popular the trail, the earlier I get there. I would think that 3 a.m. should be early enough.