Possible to hike to Snow Creek with a pack?

[tmrettig]

Hi all,

I'm hiking to Tuolumne from Mirror Lake trailhead the last week in July. I received some information about the Snow Creek trail being VERY steep even for day hikes. My sister and I are experience backpackers, but... how wretched/unsafe is it to hike with a full pack? We can endure a bit of uphill for great views and transition to the High Sierra Camps Loop.

Thanks,
-back to CA

[dan]

Hi all,
I'm hiking to Tuolumne from Mirror Lake trailhead the last week in July. I received some information about the Snow Creek trail being VERY steep even for day hikes. My sister and I are experience backpackers, but... how wretched/unsafe is it to hike with a full pack? We can endure a bit of uphill for great views and transition to the High Sierra Camps Loop.

Safe? It's completely safe, or safe as any trail can be. It's about 3000 feet uphill, made easier with several switchbacks. No worse than any other typical 3000 feet uphill, but yes, 3000 feet is not easy or quick. Take your time. You have a beautiful in-your-face view of Half Dome, and no permit required. I would get an early start.

Edit: no permits for day-hikes. Wilderness permit for overnight backpacks.

[balzaccom]

Just to clarify a bit what Dan wrote. You do not need a Half Dome permit...but you DO need a backpacking permit to use this trail for backpacking. It's steep, with plenty of switchbacks, but take and slow and easy and you will get to the top. And the views of Half Dome, as Dan noted, are incredible.

There's a trail report and some photos on our website of this one....