May Lake, Glen Aulin, WW, TM

[Bigvegetable]

I am planning on backpacking 7/14-7/19 and currently have a may lakes TH permit. I previously asked for advice on looping south through sunrise and cathedral to end at TM but I am now second guessing that plan and am considering going north to glen Aulin and west to WW falls and then to TM. I am hoping someone can provide feedback on this trip. What do you expect the trail conditions to be like concerning snow and stream crossings? Can I camp the first night in glen Aulin as long as I start from may lake TH? Any other advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[AlmostThere]

You can camp at GA starting from any trailhead you like, so long as you can do the mileage involved. As long as this is reflected on your permit.

It will be wet, wet, wet.

I would be surprised if there was impassable snow by then - patches, of varying size, perhaps. But the streams will be rivers, and the rivers will be bigger rivers, for a little while yet.

[KC]

Great trip, did it last summer. McGee Lake is gorgeous and the climb down from May Lake to Polly Dome Lakes is spectacular. May Lake was closed when I did it (early July), but Glen Aulin was open. Lots of water since it was a pretty decent snow year last year, though not quite the caliber of this year. Didn't spend too much time at the HSC though since we camped on Falls Ridge, west of the HSC, where we had awesome views to Mt. Conness, etc. You'll be all falls'd out by the end this trip.

[Bigvegetable]

Thank you KC and AlmostThere! How bad are the stream crossings along this route? Are there bridges or will we need to wade? Also, if May Lake TH is closed, like it was for KC last year, will the Rangers be lenient on where we start... maybe let us start at Glen Aulin TH instead? Thanks again!

[AlmostThere]

Thank you KC and AlmostThere! How bad are the stream crossings along this route? Are there bridges or will we need to wade? Also, if May Lake TH is closed, like it was for KC last year, will the Rangers be lenient on where we start... maybe let us start at Glen Aulin TH instead? Thanks again!

There is no changing trailheads on a permit. You will be given a permit for a different trailhead if there are opening for it. If no openings from any trailhead, no permit, no backpacking trip. It's always good to have a list of alternates when you can't get a reserved permit, or the conditions are questionable.

Don't think you will get to Glen Aulin if the May Lake trailhead is closed. All the trailheads on Tioga Rd are 7,000-9,000 feet elevation.

[KC]

What AlmostThere said on the permit issue.

Personally, I like going in the May Lake to Glen Aulin direction. It's nice because it's mainly downhill (don't get me wrong, there are some nice uphills) from May Lake to Glen Aulin with expansive easterly views towards Mt. Conness, etc. Plus, an easy first night hike up to May Lake gives one a chance to adjust to the altitude. Maybe I'm just getting older, but I find that making the first day easier at altitude benefits me in the long run.

As for water crossings, there are definitely a few. The ones I can think of that were going decently when I was there were in the valley just below and east of May Lake, between May Lake and peaks 9413 and 9108. They were quite doable, but I'd definitely bring my crocs or whatever water shoes you use, especially this year (assuming you don't want to hike in wet foot attire).

You'll also have to cross Cathedral Creek as you get closer to McGee Lake. I expect it will definitely be moving a bit faster and deeper than when I was there. As I recall, there was no great way of crossing it without getting your feet wet, so again, bring your crocs or whatever water shoes you like.

Another issue is Tuolumne Canyon itself. When we were there, the trails in the canyon still had a lot of water on them and were quite muddy. The hike was doable without major wading, but this year I think all bets are off. Once again, I'd bring my water shoe attire.

It's a great trip and you'll have a great time. Just be ready for water.