3Sep - 7Sep HELP!

[resttomorrow]

I am attempting to plan a trip out to Yosemite, but the more research I do, the more overwhelming it is. The trip was a spur of the moment decision and I am paying for it now. I have no permits...yet.

Right now I have a plane ticket to sacramento, train to merced, and leaving merced at 5pm bound for Yosemite all occuring on 3sep. Ill catch a bus back to merced on 7sep first thing in the morning. This is as far as I have got, I know I am in trouble!

I would like to backpack as much as possible and take advntage of the walk in campgrounds. I know it will be tough getting permits and satisfied with what trails I can get permits for. However, I would really like to do Clouds Rest, The Panorma Trail and Mariposa Grove.

I need some help from people that know the area. What is my best plan of action for obtaining a permit on site and where are the best campgrounds to set myself up for each trailhead.

Ill add more detail later when im not typing on smart phone. Thank you for the help!!

[AlmostThere]

You cannot backpack Mariposa Grove. You can in winter, but it isn't winter. Panorama Trail there is no camping along the trail anywhere, you would have to go up Illilouette Creek 2 miles from the trail to camp.

Because you are arriving by bus you should be able to stay in the backpacker campground even tho you will not have a wilderness permit.

I would go to the following site: http://www.yosemitepark.com/Activities_ ... adows.aspx for info on calling to reserve a spot on the hiker bus for the 4th. Once in Tuolumne Meadows I would go to the wilderness office and see if a permit could be gotten for Cathedral, Sunrise, or Olmstead Pt - the other trailheads make the miles too long to do a backpack in a reasonable amount of time if you are not a seasoned backpacker - and go to Clouds Rest, staying the night on the trail near the junction at Sunrise Creek, and exiting the wilderness at Happy Isles. This will give you a great walk through some classic Yosemite scenery.

That will take up two days. On the third day you have, I'd suggest taking advantage of the bus system to get to Mariposa Grove from the valley - it's a long way - and doing that hike, then returning to the campsite in the valley that you hopefully paid for in advance that morning. An alternative would be reserving a one way ticket on the Glacier Pt tour bus and hiking from the point down to Ilillouette and then via the Panorama trail to Happy Isles. A worthwhile hike. It will take all day, however, and it will be hot because most of it is not shaded, so take plenty of water or a filter.

[balzaccom]

Yep--good advice there. If you only have a few days, try to do a trail from Tuolumne Meadows down to the Valley. Travel light and enjoy the amazing scenery.

But don't dispair if you can't get the perfect permit. Hikes in and around Yosemite Valley are also wonderful...and you shouldn't feel badly if that's where you end up.

As for Mariposa Grove...yes, those trees are part of the Yosemite experience, but they're a long way from everywhere else. If it were me, I would plan to visit them on a trip when I had more time. That way I could be a bit more flexible on the rest of this short trip.

There are tons of Yosemite hikes on our website---but bear in mind that without a car you'll be a bit more limited in terms of the trailheads you can access.

[resttomorrow]

Just what I am looking for! I can't thank you both enough for the information.

I called on the Valley backpacking campground, and no permit is required for staying that night when I arrive on the evening of the 3rd. From there, I went ahead and reserved the bus leaving the Lodge and arriving in Tuolumne Meadows at 10:35 then I’ll head over to the Wilderness office. I tried calling the office to see my chances of obtaining the above mentioned permits and the line has been busy. Hopefully (fingers crossed) I can get a permit to stay at that Sunrise Creek Junction. Then exiting at Happy Isles. As you can see, I took pretty much the exact advice given

Would it be best to take the John Muir Trail for getting from Tuolumne to Happy Isles? I saw that trail goes by the Sunrise Creek Junction and there I could go up to Clouds Rest, I think?

Looking at the mileage, it should be about time to setup camp after exiting at Happy Isles. It looks like another backpackers campground is located in Little Yosemite. It appears to be a popular, busy, location. With my wilderness permit obtained from staying on the trail the night before, I should be able to setup camp without obtaining another permit for this location. If I understand things correctly.

This will take me to Tuesday morning waking up in Little Yosemite. I have all of Tuesday to explore before I must catch a bus heading back to Merced on Wednesday morning. So ideally, Ill end Tuesday close to the valley to help in catching 10am bus back to Merced.

Is there anywhere to squeeze Panorama Trail into the mix? Should I attempt taking the bus up to Glacier point on Tuesday and hike back? I am worried about where I’ll be camping Tuesday night and setting myself up to catch the bus Wednesday morning.

Oh, and just for pace wise, I will be traveling alone and typically move pretty fast along the trail. Although I have never been to a place with the views of Yosemite.

Again, thanks for the assistance!

[AlmostThere]

Looking at the mileage, it should be about time to setup camp after exiting at Happy Isles. It looks like another backpackers campground is located in Little Yosemite. It appears to be a popular, busy, location. With my wilderness permit obtained from staying on the trail the night before, I should be able to setup camp without obtaining another permit for this location. If I understand things correctly.

This will take me to Tuesday morning waking up in Little Yosemite. I have all of Tuesday to explore before I must catch a bus heading back to Merced on Wednesday morning. So ideally, Ill end Tuesday close to the valley to help in catching 10am bus back to Merced.

Is there anywhere to squeeze Panorama Trail into the mix? Should I attempt taking the bus up to Glacier point on Tuesday and hike back? I am worried about where I’ll be camping Tuesday night and setting myself up to catch the bus Wednesday morning.

Little Yosemite isn't a backpacker campground in the same sense as the one in the valley - you will need to let them know you're spending two nights on the trail when you get the permit, and the second night is in LYV. It's a trail camp. Your wilderness permit will still apply, no big deal. That's the last spot to camp between LYV and Happy Isles. You need to stay in the designated area and use the bear boxes for food and packs. Don't turn your back on any food/trash in LYV - the bears have been known to run up and grab them right behind you. We had a bear sneak up on us; when we turned around and stared it went away again.

You'll have about an hour and a half hike from LYV to Happy Isles - providing you are agile on the slick stairs on the mist trail. You may be slower depending on the number of tourists you are fighting through. For faster, non-stairs hiking, the JMT switchbacks are longer but less crowded. Tho they have horse poop for added fly action.

You should ask the ranger if it's okay to stay in the backpacker campground again Tuesday even tho you won't be backpacking that day and won't have a permit. It should be, you arrived by bus, and are walking or taking public transportation the entire time.

[resttomorrow]

AlmostThere, thanks for the information. You have been a tremendous help!

Ill definitely watch out for the bears. Ill have to rent a canister as all I have is a Ursack. Being from the east coast, bears aren't a huge concern here.

Few more questions for you if you don't mind:
Does the JMT go into Little Yosemite, or will I exit at Happy Isles and continue on using the Mist Trail to get to the campground? Then the following morning, I am guessing Ill backtrack to Happy Isles to catch the shuttle to the lodge to get a bus to Glacier Point for Panorama Trail.

Do you know the time frame for the JMT from Tuolumne to Little Yosemite with the Clouds Rest detour? I am not arriving to Tuolumne till 10:30am and Ill need need to obtain my permit and get a fuel canister prior to hitting the trail. I know a lot depends on the individual but just trying to get an idea of when Ill arrive at the different campsites.

Time to call back and reserve a seat on the Glacier Point bus on Tuesday morning-ish.

Thanks!!

[centurycyclist]

pay attention to the fire that is currently burning near Glacier Pt. Road. It may change your plans. There will be info when you get into the park. Happy hiking!