Advice For a 3-4 day backpacking trip May 19th

[Briskin]

I was planning on doing a 3-4 day trip, starting at happy isles heading up to Fletcher Creek then, continuing on to the Merced Pass Lakes possibly Ottoway Lakes. I would really appreciate some insight on what i should expect, as far as snow conditions and stream crossings for this time of year, or if i should consider a different location all together. Thanks a lot guys.

[balzaccom]

HI there

that's a lot to bite off in one chew! There are bridges over many of the streams and rivers in the lower sections of this hike, but I don't know if you have counted the miles on this trip. The reason so many people camp at Little Yosemite Valley is that they are tired, and don't feel like making the next climb. It's a trek to get to Washburn Lake from happy Isles, and that would leave your next day to get you up and over Red Peak Pass. If you do that, you still have about 15-20 miles to get back down to Happy Isles again. are you sure you are going to up be to carrying a pack and major elevation gains and still cover 12-14 miles a day? that seems like a lot to me.

It would be easier to do this hike from the other direction, and start at Mono Meadows. (the permit would be easier to get, too!) You would cut about 6 miles of the total trip, and also save about 2500 feet in elevation gain. If you do this, then figure on starting early and camping in the Upper illiouette Canyon. The next day would take you over Red Peak Pass from the South, and then you can hike downhill all the way to Happy Isles.

But although we hike a lot, we usually figure that about ten miles a day is what we can manage. That gives us time to rest, see the scenery, explore a bit, and do some fishing.

YMMV

[Briskin]

I'm so sorry balzaccom, i intended to say Illilouette creek, not Fletcher (guess that is what i get for posting at 3am). My plan was to take happy Isle up to Illiouette creek then down to the merced pass lakes and trekking my way back to happy isles 3-4 days later. I have never been through Illiouette canyon but i was hoping with the light snow season, the conditions would be decent enough, for a relatively novice backpacker.

Thanks