June 25-28 backpacking trip help Tuolumne Meadows to YV

[naruj]

Getting excited about our trip to Yosemite!! As first timers in the area, we decided to dedicate a large portion to backpacking and sight seeing. 2 people, the hike will be 2-4 nights, after this post I'm sure I can either add or rule a few things out. I am looking for some advice on trailheads, weather, bear safety, and any other tips or recommendations from some more well-versed hikers.

Picking up a rental car in LA on early on a Sunday this June and headed towards Sequoia or Kings Canyon for lunch then on to Yosemite. Haven't decided where to stop Sunday night before starting, but there is availability in campgrounds in the park and hotels just outside. Monday would start the hike, park in the valley and take transit to Tuolume Meadows and hike down to the valley (after researching, I am not sure if that area will be open due to weather or if transit will be running? (advice on starting point?). First night was going to be around the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp area (I believe it will be closed) or around Merced Lake. I have heard some people skip Vogelsang because of the steep uphill. Second night merced lake or Little Yosemite Valley depending on our pace we would like to hit Half Dome the next day. Do you need passes in advance for Half Dome? Last night stay in the Valley somewhere. We have from Sunday night till Thursday to complete our trip, the next leg requires us to be in Sacramento on Friday morning. Here is a trail that we will be mimicking: http://www.everytrail.com/guide/tuolumne-meadows-to-yosemite-valley/map#poi-5

A few other questions: 1. bear canisters vs. bear bags. Being from FL, I have not ventured into bear country. I know we will need some bear proof system by park rules, but I don't want to spend a ton. What about OP Sak 9X10 Airtight Waterproof Pouch Bags (they claim to be bear proof)

2. backcountry permits. Would you get one for sunday night even if we are un sure where we are staying? We were told to camp somewhere in the valley the last day and expect to be exhausted.

3. weather conditions. What should we expect? lows? snow/rain?

We have experience with all of our gear except we both got new packs. We will be doing a test run next weekend! Thanks for reading and any advice would be extremely helpful

[AlmostThere]

Picking up a rental car in LA on early on a Sunday this June and headed towards Sequoia or Kings Canyon for lunch then on to Yosemite. Haven't decided where to stop Sunday night before starting, but there is availability in campgrounds in the park and hotels just outside.

Welcome to the forum.

For starters, there are a number of assumptions in these two sentences I should let you know aren't true. You are assuming here that you can drive from LA to Sequoia or Kings for lunch and then to Yosemite and get night accommodations. There are some serious miles involved, and getting from SEKI to Yosemite is a good 6-8 hours on the road all by itself. It may or may not take you the four hours listed on google maps from LAX to Sequoia - the traffic in LA can be slow at the best of times. I have spent 6 hours driving 4 miles on an LA freeway....

Monday would start the hike, park in the valley and take transit to Tuolume Meadows and hike down to the valley (after researching, I am not sure if that area will be open due to weather or if transit will be running? (advice on starting point?). First night was going to be around the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp area (I believe it will be closed) or around Merced Lake. I have heard some people skip Vogelsang because of the steep uphill. Second night merced lake or Little Yosemite Valley depending on our pace we would like to hit Half Dome the next day. Do you need passes in advance for Half Dome? Last night stay in the Valley somewhere. We have from Sunday night till Thursday to complete our trip, the next leg requires us to be in Sacramento on Friday morning. Here is a trail that we will be mimicking: http://www.everytrail.com/guide/tuolumn ... /map#poi-5

You will need a wilderness permit to backpack. You don't mention having one. If you have a wilderness permit you can have it stamped for Half Dome. If you have not read the wilderness page on the Yosemite website, you need to start there and understand that you will not be alone trying to get a walk in permit.

The pass is open and all services will be operational by the time you get there.

A few other questions: 1. bear canisters vs. bear bags. Being from FL, I have not ventured into bear country. I know we will need some bear proof system by park rules, but I don't want to spend a ton. What about OP Sak 9X10 Airtight Waterproof Pouch Bags (they claim to be bear proof)

You will not under any circumstance be allowed to use anything but a bear canister from Yosemite's approved list of canisters. You can rent one from the park or buy one in the stores in Yosemite.

That OP sak is NOT bear proof, let alone squirrel or marmot proof. Nor is it claiming to be. Bears in Yosemite break into CARS. A plastic bag is nothing. Do not believe any bag claiming to be odor proof, either.

2. backcountry permits. Would you get one for sunday night even if we are un sure where we are staying? We were told to camp somewhere in the valley the last day and expect to be exhausted.

Your last opportunity to camp before exiting at Happy Isles in the valley is in Little Yosemite Valley, in the designated area there.

You MUST have a wilderness permit to camp in the wilderness. The only other places you can stay are the designated campgrounds or lodges in the park. You cannot just camp anywhere without having made arrangements. If you have been backpacking you can stay in the backpacker campground on a walk in basis, the night after you exit the wilderness.

3. weather conditions. What should we expect? lows? snow/rain?

You should check the NOAA website, entering Yosemite National Park in the search box, in the week leading up to the trip.

If you are backpacking you would be better off being prepared for lows of freezing at night, and have some form of rain gear. Snow is possible but in summer it will be easily handled.

[naruj]

Thanks AlmostThere, I was looking forward to your response! You have such great advice for newbies.

After reading that, we will take an extra half day or whole day to make the drive to Yosemite. I have not secured my wilderness pass yet, but I was on the phone with someone a few days ago at the park asking some questions, they said they were still available for those dates. Just wanted to be sure of our trailhead and dates before submitting.

Thanks for the info on the 'bear' bags. I had a feeling they were not what we need. Renting bear canisters is perfect for us (less equipment to bring on the plane), do you know how much they are to rent? Will one be enough for 2 peoples food for 3 nights? We do pack very lightweight.

We are prepared for cold nights, and I am looking forward to getting out of this 90 degree weather in Florida!

Last question, will our car be safe in the valley during our hike? We will have luggage but nothing food related. Is there a fee to leave it overnight?

Thanks again

[DB1]

The rental bear canisters are $5.00 for a week. From what I've read you should be able to fit 3 days food for 2 people in one.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bearcanrentals.htm

The free parking for people with wilderness permits is in the valley between Curry Village and Happy Isles. As long as you don't have food or scented items in there you should be safe from bears, but I don't know how big of an issue theft is. I would think if you have items in the trunk and out of sight you should be ok.

[AlmostThere]

Most of the questions are answered, but I will add, bears will break into cars to investigate things they see, as well as smell. I know someone who had lots of damage to her car - she left a cup in the cup holder. Non smellable containing bags, boxes, etc should go in the trunk, or in a bear locker. Empty ice chests should too.

On hikes starting at trailhead parking we have seen a bear paralleling our course going the other way toward the parking lot, first thing in the morning, on his regular patrol.