Early August Trip...Please advise!

[Rachtak]

My girlfriend and I are planning to go backpacking in Yosemite during the first week of August. I have a rough plan laid out, but I am not sure how the logistics will work.

My current plan is:

Day 1: Start at Olmstead point trail head and hike down to Yosemite valley to spend the night
Day 2: Hike up to half-dome and camp somewhere on Sunrise Creek
Day 3: Hike out-and-back up cloud's rest and camp somewhere on Sunrise lakes
Day 4: Return to the Olmstead trailhead

I have a couple questions regarding feasibility/permits/logistics... I know I can reserve a permit for the Olmstead trailhead, but will that one permit be enough for the rest of my trip (besides the half-dome permit)? In other words, will I be able to camp in Yosemite village and then go on "Happy Isles to Sunrise/Merced Lake Pass Thru" with my original Olmstead permit? How many miles total is this (we're looking for no more than ~8mi a day)?

Thank you very much for the input!

[dan]

The Backpacker's Campground in Yosemite Valley (not on most maps) is just north of the Lower Pines Campground (and across a footbridge over the Merced River). It's about 1/4 mile east of Ahwahnee Hotel. You can stay there. However, the way a Wilderness Permit works is you need one each time you enter and leave it (except immediately crossing roads to continue on a trail), so I think you need 2 permits.

[AlmostThere]

Dan's right, you would need two permits. Staying the night in the valley will mean exiting the wilderness.

Also, unless you are bomber hikers, that last day is not real pleasant. It's possible but long. You'll be going around Teneya canyon.

I'd pick a different trailhead. Walk in permits in the middle of the week are probably the only way you'll get anything now.

[Rachtak]

So I'll need two permits... Is there a way I can get around it? for example, can I, instead of staying in the Valley, camp at Mirror lake and then just walk through the Valley in the morning to the next trail?

[AlmostThere]

You cannot camp outside designated campgrounds in the Valley at all, anywhere. You must be in a designated campground. There is no wilderness camping in Yosemite valley whatsoever. Mirror Lake is in Yosemite Valley. You must be 4 miles up Happy Isles/JMT in the designated site (Little Yosemite Valley) to camp along that trail, or 2 miles beyond Little Yosemite Valley, or at the top of whichever rim you are hiking on. No where in between.

If they allowed dispersal camping there would be no valley left to enjoy. Too many people.

[dan]

So I'll need two permits... Is there a way I can get around it?

No. But why get around it--what's the problem with getting two wilderness permits?

There is no wilderness camping in Yosemite valley whatsoever.

However, you can camp in the Backpacker's Campground if you have a Wilderness Permit, on the 1 night before and the 1 night after the dates on the wilderness permit.

[Rachtak]

I think I've found a solution! please tell me if it is valid...

Instead of starting at Olmstead point and heading south (counter-clockwise on the loop), we start at the "Mirror lake to Snow Creek" trailhead and go clockwise on the loop. That way, we wont have to have the transition in the valley, and we will be able to manage with reserving just one permit.

[AlmostThere]

That'll work... I recommend a very, very early morning start. Snow Creek is a brutal exposed trail when the sun is high. Nothing like granite burn!