First timers visiting July 4 week

[arodin]

My wife and I are newcomers to Yosemite but are incredibly excited about this epic natural wonderland. Our plan came to fruition a bit late, so we were unable to get backcountry permits for Sunset Lakes, Cathedral Lakes, Glacier Point, Happy Isles, Rafferty Creek/Vogelsang etc, where we had intended on doing a 2-3 day backpacking trip going via JMT, Clouds Rest and Half Dome.

Given that we'll be there during one of the busiest times of the year (July 2-6), we're looking for any Yosemite veteran's suggestions for a 1night-3night backpacking trip somewhere where we can 1) get permits in places like Glen Aulin, May Lake, Mirror Lake etc and 2) places that might be a bit less crowded, if that's possible during the week we'll be there.

We've done a bunch of research already and read through this forum, but were hoping for some fresh suggestions from anyone who'd be willing to help. Thanks!!
PS- We're young and in pretty solid shape

[balzaccom]

One option is the Murphy Creek trailhead, that would leave from Tenaya Lake, and then allow you to head over to Glen Aulin and out Tuolumne Meadows,. That trailhead doesn't fill up so quickly. You could camp the first night at Polly Dome Lakes or McGee Lake, then hike through Glen Aulin and across the highway to Cathedral Lakes, and then cross country down from the outlet of Lower Cathedral Lake back to Tenaya. That would be a nice trip...

Another option is to start at the Nelson Lake trailhead, which leaves Tuolumne Meadows towards Lake Elizabeth, and follow the use trail up over the ridge and down into Nelson Lake. From there you have an easy cross country to Reymann Lake, and up to Tuolumne Pass and Vogelsang. Camp at Emeric Lake or Evelyn, and then hike down Lyell Canyon to get out...

[AlmostThere]

My approach would be to get the list of trailheads from the Yosemite website and sit down with a map. Figure out trips of the desired duration and miles, and prioritize them. Then I would show up the day before I wanted to start hiking - and be ready to hike that day. I would get in line on the porch of the wilderness office with priority over the top five trips on my list (they are regional - trips from Tioga Rd you need to be at Tuolumne Meadows, from the valley, you have to be in the valley. Trips from Wawona or Glacier Pt Road, go to Wawona office.) When the office opens, run down the list until I got two permits. If I don't get anywhere with walk in permits for the following day, I'd wait around and see if any permits are abandoned - they turn loose unclaimed permits others have reserved.

Combine that with a midweek start and you probably wouldn't even have to work down to option four. It isn't hard if you are flexible. If you get a permit for the following day, grab a spot in the backpacker campground (5/person) and start the following day. There are backpacker camps in the valley, at White Wolf, and in Tuolumne Meadows.

by the way, you can drop Mirror Lake from the destination list. You cannot backpack and camp anywhere on the valley floor. You must be above the rim to camp. You must also respect the no camping zones - for trips anywhere on the valley rim, the rangers can show you on the map what's off limits. You have to be a mile from the road, four miles from the trailhead (with some exceptions) and cannot camp anywhere on the Mist Trail or Panorama Trail. There are really specific rules surrounding Little Yosemite Valley for really good reasons, it's only the most crowded and busy "wilderness area."

[balzaccom]

God catch, AT. And you didn't even bother to mention that Mirror Lake is no longer a mirror nor a lake...it's just a big meadow/sand bar.

[arodin]

Hi balzaccom and AlmostThere,

Thanks so much for your helpful suggestions. Given what's available at this point (Nelson, Young, May, Murphy, Glen Aulin) and the other things we've read, I think we're leaning towards Elizabeth/Nelson lake (though of course leaving open the possibility of getting an abandoned or first-come first-serve permit for something else).

Do either of you have further suggestions for how to build a 2.5 day/2 night trip out of the Nelson lake trailhead? From Nelson back to Tuolumne via JMT or Rafferty Creek?

Also, here's a related, though more general question: assuming we camp overnight at Nelson and want to continue towards somewhere else (e.g. Cathedral Lakes or Vogelsang), do we need a 2nd permit for that or does our initial permit cover other trails on our trip?

Thanks again!!
Avi

[balzaccom]

The permit covers your whole trip. The first night would be at Nelson. Second night could be a Evelyn or even Bernice, if you want to add some hiking, And then back down to Tuolumne through Rafferty or Lyell. I think I prefer Lyell, but not by much

[Grzldvt]

Looking at the suggestions, they are very good, but have to ask about your cross country skills, are you comfortable doing that?
Another suggestion is to head over to Koip Peak via Mono Pass trailhead off of Tioga Road. You need to get past Parker Pass, but that is not that far, and there is plenty of camping(no fires) as you get closer to Koip Peak, although it does get very rocky and camping is almost impossible about 1/4 of mile from the actual climb. The view from the top of Koip is pretty spectacular and it is a very interesting area to explore.
Another option is the Ten Lakes basin. You can easily spend a couple of nights there, and explore the area.

[balzaccom]

Yes--but you won't get a permit for July 4th to Ten Lakes Basin...unless you enter via Murphy Creek.

[Grzldvt]

Yes--but you won't get a permit for July 4th to Ten Lakes Basin...unless you enter via Murphy Creek.

Right now July is no problem at all. The entire month of July is still wide open. http://www.yosemiteconservancystore.com ... sPage5.htm

[AlmostThere]

Having July 4 in the middle of the week is probably changing up the usual three day weekend warriors' plans.

I'm dayhiking in Yosemite on Wednesday and backpacking on the weekend before.

[balzaccom]

Good points. Usually that trailhead is one of the first to fill up...

[Grzldvt]

Good points. Usually that trailhead is one of the first to fill up...

Totally agree, but i have noticed a trend lately that it is not as much in favor as it used to be.
I am also surprised at some of the trailheads that are full

[arodin]

Thanks everyone for your great ideas & suggestions! Much appreciated!

Given what was available permit-wise, we decided we're going to leave from Tuolumne and spend the first night at Nelson lake (via Elizabeth lake). Day 2 we will either go to Emeric lake, Evelyn lake, or Vogelsang -- can you go from Nelson directly to Vogelsang, or do you need to go via Emeric lake or Evelyn lake? We'll leave the Vogelsang area on day 3 exiting through Rafferty Creek back to Tuolumne.

Thanks again for all the help!