Completely Overwhelmed - Mid August 3-4 days

[mcfarlanea]

Alas, after reading through this forum, reading various route suggestions online, and poring over a map, I'll admit I'm overwhelmed.

Yosemite simply has a huge number of trails and possibilities. Add into the mix the trailhead quota system, and I don't even know where to start.

My girlfriend and I are going backpacking in the third week of August. We have 4 full days to backpack (we'll arrive in the afternoon the day before and either camp in the backpackers' campground or just outside the park - we were assuming that campgrounds fill up early in the morning). The first day could be spent getting a trailhead permit for the following day in the morning, and then going on a day hike in the afternoon, depending on trailhead availability. But it would be nice if we could use all 4 days, so picking a hike where the trailheads aren't booked solid yet is a consideration.

We'd like to have some amount of quiet, but we'd also like to touch on a few of the sights that make Yosemite so famous. It seems like Half Dome is a zoo? We're wondering if there's a way to be on trails that aren't swamped with other hikers while still being in/around Yosemite Valley, etc. Apparently the views of Yosemite Valley are still beautiful away from the main trails? Is this true?

We're both in good shape. Ideally, 7-9 miles/day would be nice so we could set up camp not too late and relax a bit or maybe go a a short, spur hike without our packs.

Any suggestions? Many thanks for helping us make sense of our options,

-Aaron

[AlmostThere]

You don't camp in the backpacker campground until you have a wilderness permit.

Remember that crowds are relative - you'll be leaving 99% of the people in Yosemite behind once you're 5-6 miles from the trailhead. There will be more people on the trails in Yosemite than there are other trails in other parts of the Sierra, but it won't be elbow to elbow people unless you are on the Mist Trail and on the way to Half Dome. Trails from Tioga Rd toward Half Dome also tend to be heavily used, but not so bad as the traditional Happy Isles route.

Have a look at the trailheads along Tioga Road - Ten Lakes, trails out of Tuolumne Meadows, Mono and Parker Passes - these are beautiful options and I have gotten walk in permits for most of those.

[TrayS]

If you can work in a stop at Clouds Rest I would highly recommend it. There will be other people there but it won't be the chaotic trap that Half Dome is and you'll get a birds eye view of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley that is just utterly spectacular. You'll be able to map it from the trailheads along Tioga Rd.

[balzaccom]

My suggestion would be to backpack for two or three days, then spend a day in the Valley seeing all that stuff. There is no need to try to make all one thing or the other.

Take a trip out of Tuolumne MEadows to see the high country, and then spend a day in the valley seeing that.

We;ve got a bunch of suggested Yosemite trips on our website, in the destination sections.

[barefoot7y]

Thanks for some helpful replies! I'm starting to get a sense of the park and how to pull together a route. I think we're still aiming for a 4 day/3 night trip, starting from a trailhead where we can still get a permit ahead of time.

What are some points, campsites, landmarks or trails that we should make a point of seeing, climbing, or walking past? Cloud's Rest sounds like one...

Thanks,
The Girlfriend in Question

[dan]

You have a few suggestions already--Cloud's Rest. Tuolumne Meadows is beautiful--good place to acclimate for a day before starting out. Lots of meadows, domes, and streams. Stay away from the T.M. store and grill if you want to avoid crowds.

Sunrise Lakes are beautiful. Cloud's Rest has an unusual view of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley. If you're headed down to the Valley (some people take the Hiker's bus from the Valley and backpack or hike down), make it a point to walk through Little Yosemite Valley. Beautiful and not too crowded above Nevada Falls.

Not backpacking, but visit one of the Sequoia Groves--Tuolumne Grove is just off the west end of Tioga Road. The Valley itself has Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, and El Cap as highlights.