Summer trip, taking some newbies - Advice

[FloridaTrekker]

This summer I will be taking my brother and his teenage kids from Cathedral Lakes to Happy Isles. They have camped a bunch but not backpacked. I have been doing it for years as I have my teenage sons. Anything I should be aware of , ideas on good spots to stop, etc. we have 5 days total, so daily mileage should be fairly easy. Have reviewed the park information, have a permit, ordered maps, will rent bear canisters.

Thanks.

[balzaccom]

You should have a great trip. Probably the single biggest issue you face is making sure that you car doesn't get you in trouble at the trailhead. The NPS is VERY vigilant about anyone leaving ANYTHING in their cars there, because the bears have been so aggressive.

So don't leave anything, not even a candy bar wrapper, in your car. There are steel bear boxes for your stuff, but it's best to plan to just not have anything in the car to leave. Take your packs with you, and leave the car spotless and empty.

After that, the hike should be a breeze. You don't say which route you are going to take...but if you can include a trip to the top of Cloud's Rest, I would do that. It's a better hike and better view than Half Dome, and far fewer people!

[KC]

You don't say which route you are going to take...but if you can include a trip to the top of Cloud's Rest, I would do that. It's a better hike and better view than Half Dome, and far fewer people!

Totally agree.

[cjoz]

Totally agree on CR. That said, HD is so iconic that I wouldn't pass it up entirely. As you head down the JMT from Cathedral, consider cutting over to Sunrise Lakes (not the HSC but the actual lakes) to spend the night. From there, it's a relatively short trip up and over CR. When you come down the CR trail to the JMT Jxn, there are some campsites there. The HD jxn is only .5 miles further down from that location, so would be easy to get up there early in the morning and beat the heat/crowds. Just make sure you get your HD permit when you pick up your wilderness permit. For HD itself, I recommend some sort of harness. Climbed it w/o one before but now I have kids...

You don't say which route you are going to take...but if you can include a trip to the top of Cloud's Rest, I would do that. It's a better hike and better view than Half Dome, and far fewer people!

Totally agree.

[FloridaTrekker]

Thanks for the ideas, I will definitely look at CR. We will probably get dropped off at the trailhead and leave vehicle in the valley, empty of course. Will also look at Sunrise lakes. I assume the trails themselves are fairly clear, we have done parts of the AT and of course on that they use blazes. Am fairly good with maps and compass and am working on it during the next few months.

Not sure on HD, a few have some issues with heights, but if we go will consider the harnesses.

[AlmostThere]

I think you can count on the trails being more like freeways than trails in other wilderness areas... they're very heavily traveled and well maintained.

One thing to add - It doesn't sound like you've been here before. If you haven't done much above 5,000 feet elevation, you may find yourself out of breath quite a bit. Would suggest reading some on altitude sickness and its symptoms so you can be aware if one of the group has that issue and know what to do about it - probably won't have serious issues, but it's been known to happen... better safe than sorry. Folks in my hiking group often show mild nausea, loss of appetite, sometimes headaches or lightheadedness.

[FloridaTrekker]

Thanks for the altitude discussion. I grew up out there and used to ski up at Tahoe, but will be coming in from Florida. We will spend 2 nights in the valley before we go to the high country. Will watch the others as well.

we used to camp in the valley as kids and I went there my senior year in high school for the Audubon Bird count in December, that was a cold trip.