Tenaya Canyon

[kentmo]

Hi all. First time posting on any forum EVER! Also, planning a week+ trip for early September (first time to Yosemite ever). Have done many remote back-country trips throughout the Grand Canyon, and grew up hiking my beautiful Pacific Northwest Cascades. The 3 of us are very fit and up for a challenge. That being said......

The trip I'm planning is shaping up to be quite aggressive. I want to start with Half Dome, and end with a descent down Tenaya Canyon. I'd like to work in a few days in between in some kind of loop. Any suggestions on lakes/views/routes we should not miss? I'm approaching this as a once-in-a-lifetime hike, since I live in Washington, and there are MANY other National Parks that need to be explored after this.

[dan]

Tenaya Canyon is dangerous for hiking--there's slot canyons and slick rock. You can take the north rim trail down, after reaching Tenaya Lake and Olmstead Point. Rock climbers take a shortcut route down from the north shoulder of Half Dome down to Mirror Lake below (but skip Tenaya Canyon).

Little Yosemite Valley is beautiful, and you have great views on top of Clouds Rest (better views than Half Dome, I think, since you can see Half Dome).

[kentmo]

Okay, thanks Dan. I appreciate the fact that several of you guys really know this area, so finding those "hidden gems" is my hope. Although, remoteness and "untouched" wilderness is typically a magnet for me, I don't think that will dictate this itinerary. Kind of like a first time visit to Grand Canyon. You gotta see the classics (South Rim, Bright Angel, Phantom Ranch, etc.) but after that,remoteness rules...

[kentmo]

Another thing...If we start our week with HD, any suggestions for camp spots afterwards? I was kind of assuming we would keep our elevation and find something east of HD. Then catch JMT, or hit Cloud's Rest. However, if we come back down to LYV, we could catch some nice looking spots along Merced River. Are Bunnell Cascades worth a gander?

[dan]

In LYV, the only place you're allowed to camp is in the backpacker's campground in lower LYV. The place is a zoo, in my opinion, and I avoid it. Although if you don't mind company, there are plenty of people to chat it up with you.

My favorite campground in that area is where the JMT meets the Cloud's Rest Trail (CRT). It's right next to the creek, has nice shade, and is not overused. There's bears there (and everywhere in the area). Also camp back from the creek to avoid the mosquitos.

[kentmo]

Fantastic, thanks. So, are you referring to the junction 0.5 miles up the JMT from HD trail?

[dan]

Yes, the JMT/CRT junction is under a mile east or northeast from the JMT/HDT.

[AlmostThere]

People die in Tenaya Canyon - why there is a big block on the maps that tell you so, and tell you to keep out. If you decide to risk it A) don't go alone and B) preferably, find someone with canyoneering experience in the area to go with you. It's not backpacking. It requires technical gear to do it safely.

Also, review the backpacking/wilderness permitting pages on the official Yosemite website and understand that camping in the area around the valley and Half Dome is the most heavily regulated in the park - dispersal camping is just not possible, you stay within the bounds of the camping zones, of which LYV is one. I usually tell folks wanting to backpack to catch the hiker bus to Tioga Pass and do a one way backpack to Happy Isles, hitting Clouds Rest along the way - and (sigh) Half Dome if you must.

Other backpack trips that offer great views - the Pohono trail and the north rim.

[Wickett]

When I am planning on staying in the LYV area I continue up the trail to the Morraine Dome area. There are campsites by the cascade and I have not had any issues with bears there. It is a flat 2 mile walk back to LYV campground and the HD/Clouds Rest trail head. You can also head up through Echo Canyon and check out Merced lake, either day hike or overnight.

Tenaya is definitely for the experienced. I have done it about seven times now and we had to turn back on our last trip due to time lost on wet slabs near Pywiack, a few scary moments there... Rappelling and canyoneering skills are a must. Tenaya Canyon is beautiful but don't go into it unprepared.

[kentmo]

Great to hear different views and opinions. Re Tenaya, we would certainly be prepared skill/gear wise. However, I'm liking the idea of Tioga Pass to the Valley via Cloud's Rest and HD. Much lighter packs not humping rope around. Thanks for the ideas!
Kent

[chicagocwright]

For a first time visit to Yosemite you can't go wrong with your suggested Tioga Road to the Valley via Clouds Rest and Half Dome trek. Starting at Tenaya Lake the hike is about 22 miles. I did the hike for the first time last year and it was incredible. I actually did it as a day hike (about 12 hours or so) but that doesn't allow any time for side trips that I hear are well worth it. And there is no reason to do it in a day if you don't have to.

[balzaccom]

Just to be clear. Tenaya Canyon should not be attempted when the water is high. September October is generally considered the best time. And yes, there are rangers who have had to be rescued out of that canyon. Be careful and be smart.

[dan]

Here's two threads on Tenaya Canyon "hiking":

* http://www.yosemite.ca.us/forum/viewtopic/t=852
* http://www.yosemite.ca.us/forum/viewtopic/t=1409

Here's two old articles about climbing Tenaya Canyon:

* “Rare Adventure” [Inner chasm of Tenaya Canyon], Yosemite Nature Notes 18(1):1-3 by Enid Michael (1939)
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/yosem ... 8/18-1.pdf
* “The Box Canyon of Tenaya Gorge,” Yosemite Nature Notes 29(6):52-56 by Enid Michael (1950)
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/yosem ... 9/29-6.pdf

[kentmo]

Wow Dan, thanks for the stories! It's quite a task, spending hours looking over maps, forum notes, books, etc., trying to familiarize myself with an area I've never seen, with INFINITE possibilities. However, having some personal, historic notes to add to our "prep" is invaluable!!